Science on Sea – From whale safari to whale research Whale2Sea is based in Andenes, in Arctic Norway, where the ocean drops deep close to shore. This is why whales come here to feed, and why whale watching has long been part of the local story. In these waters, sightings are almost guaranteed, making the area one of Europe’s most reliable places to see whales in the wild. Today, Whale2Sea adds something special: science. It is one of the few operators in the world that combines whale watching with whale research on the same trips. When the boat finds whales, the experience becomes more than a moment on the horizon. It becomes a way to learn. On board, guides explain what researchers discover: how whales behave, where they migrate, what they eat, and what threatens them, from ship strikes to plastic pollution and a changing climate. Sometimes the team can even recognise individual whales using photo identification. Suddenly, it’s not just a moment, it’s a story you can follow. Frequent sightings make research possible, and research makes tourism more meaningful. Ticket income helps support the scientific work, and visitors leave with knowledge they can share. Whale2Sea shows how tourism can protect what people come to see, turning a whale safari into understanding, and understanding into care.
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