Arctic expedition ship, built 1956
Swim with wild orcas in the fjords above Alta
Bergsund was built in Norway in 1956 and worked as a local ferry out of Hammerfest. Today she takes twelve guests at a time on orca expeditions in northern Norway.
Bergsund Rederi AB in Stockholm has owned her since 2014. She was bought in Tenerife, sailed home and rebuilt at Kummelnäs shipyard. She sails under the Swedish flag.
1956
Built for Finnmark Fylkesrederi og Ruteselskap, the county shipping company in Finnmark.
1956 to the early 70s
She ran a local route from Hammerfest until the early 1970s.
Later years
She sailed as Dolphin Explorer and ended up in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
2014
Bergsund Rederi AB bought her in Tenerife in the summer of 2014 and sailed her to Stockholm.
2014 to 2017
Repairs, rebuilding and certification at Kummelnäs shipyard in Nacka. The galley was rebuilt and she was fitted out for twelve guests plus guides and crew.
2017
Charter work with tour operators on the Norwegian west coast and around Lofoten.
Every winter
From late October to mid-January she runs orca expeditions from Alta with Orca Norway.
Every winter herring move into the fjords of Troms and Finnmark, and orcas and humpbacks follow them. It is the largest gathering of orcas in the world. On a good day you can see 50 or 60 at once.
Trips are 3 or 6 days and start in Alta. A bus takes you from Alta to the ship. You live on board and go out in the zodiacs to snorkel with the orcas.
Morning
After breakfast the ship heads out into the fjords. The bridge is open, so you can stand with the captain and help look.
Late morning
When we find orcas you put on a drysuit, get in a zodiac and snorkel with them. We stay out as long as light and weather allow.
Afternoon
Lunch on board, then the hot tub on deck or the sauna.
Evening
A one hour lecture about orcas, then dinner. One night, if the weather is calm, we put a hydrophone in the water and listen to the orcas and humpbacks.
You are in the water with wild orcas every day the weather allows. No diving licence needed.
The best light is early in the season, late October to mid-November, with five to six hours of daylight.
Lots of guests come alone. You share a twin cabin with another solo traveller of the same sex.
The season runs through the polar night. On clear evenings there is a good chance of northern lights.
Twelve guests, six twin cabins, a chef, a sauna and a hot tub on deck.
A big salon next to the galley, with a dining area and a sofa corner. The evening lectures are held here.
Rebuilt from scratch with modern equipment. A chef cooks all meals on board.
Where everyone eats, at varnished tables with red leather benches.
Six twin cabins with bunk beds, a sink and a porthole. The five toilets and showers are shared and sit together in a separate area.
A wood-panelled sauna with a stove.
The bridge is open to guests. Come up and look for whales with the crew.
Orca trips are booked through our partners. For charters or anything else, contact us directly.
Orca expeditions
Runs the orca expeditions on Bergsund. 3 and 6 day trips from Alta, late October to mid-January.
Dates and bookingOnline booking
Dates, availability and online booking.
Check availabilityCharters and the ship
Tour operators and private groups can hire Bergsund for their own trips. She sleeps twelve guests in six twin cabins. Send us your dates, the size of your group and where you want to go.