Planning to swim with orcas? This guide covers the practical stuff—what to wear, how to behave in the water, and what actually helps when you're floating in Arctic fjords watching killer whales hunt.

What to Wear

You'll be in a drysuit. Not a wetsuit—a drysuit. The difference matters.

A drysuit keeps water out entirely. You stay dry inside while the suit seals at your wrists, neck, and ankles. Water temperature in November hovers around 4-6°C, and while the drysuit prevents hypothermia, you still feel cold on your exposed face and hands.

Layering underneath is crucial. Wear wool or synthetic thermal base layers—something that insulates even when damp from sweat. Thick wool socks help. If you get cold easily, double up on layers. Your hands and face will be the coldest parts, so bringing neoprene gloves (5-7mm) makes a big difference.

Tour operators provide drysuits, but check if they include undergarments. Some do, some don't. Ask before you go.

Physical Preparation

You don't need to be an Olympic swimmer, but you do need basic water confidence and moderate fitness.

Swimming ability matters. You should be comfortable in open water, able to swim at least 200 meters without stopping. You'll be wearing fins which help, but ocean swimming is different from pool swimming. Currents, waves, cold—it all adds up.

Stamina counts too. You're spending hours on boats in cold conditions, getting in and out of drysuits multiple times. It's physically tiring even when you're not actively swimming. Days start early and run long.

Freediving practice helps but isn't required. Most encounters happen at the surface. If you want to duck dive to watch orcas hunt below you, basic freediving skills improve the experience, but you can have incredible encounters just floating and observing.

In-Water Behavior

This is the most important section. How you behave determines whether you have a good encounter or ruin it for everyone.

Stay calm. When orcas appear, your instinct might be to swim toward them. Don't. They're fast—up to 33 mph—and you can't keep up. Chasing them just makes them leave.

Float passively. Lie still on the surface, breathe through your snorkel, and let them decide whether to approach. Often they will out of curiosity, especially younger orcas. Sometimes they're busy hunting and ignore you completely. Both are normal.

Maintain distance. Guidelines suggest staying at least 30 meters away unless the orca approaches you. If an orca swims toward you, don't reach out to touch it. Keep your hands to yourself. These are wild predators, not pets.

Move slowly and deliberately. No splashing, no sudden movements. When you need to reposition, use smooth, controlled fin kicks. Erratic movement can startle them or signal that you're stressed.

Don't separate mothers and calves. If you see a calf with an adult, give them extra space. Never swim between them. Protective instincts are strong, and you don't want to test that.

Listen to your guides. They know orca behavior, they know these specific pods, and they know when conditions are right for entering the water. If they say stay on the boat, there's a reason.

Understanding Orca Behavior

Orcas in Norway are here for herring, not humans. They're hunting, feeding, socializing. You're background noise.

When they're carousel feeding—circling herring into tight balls and stunning fish with tail slaps—they're focused and coordinated. You might see multiple orcas working together, taking turns feeding. It's efficient, methodical, impressive to watch.

Sometimes they'll spy-hop (stick their heads above water to look around) or breach (jump). These behaviors aren't for your entertainment—they serve specific purposes in hunting and communication. You're just lucky enough to witness them.

Orcas use echolocation. They know exactly where you are in the water. If they wanted to interact with you, they would. Most of the time, they don't care.

Safety Considerations

Orcas don't attack humans in the wild. There are no recorded fatalities. But they're still apex predators weighing up to 6 tons. Respect that.

The real risks are cold exposure (stay aware of how long you've been in the water, shivering and confusion signal hypothermia), ocean conditions (currents, waves, and weather change quickly), and boat traffic (multiple boats often converge on orca sightings).

Boats should have ladders for quick exits and experienced crew monitoring conditions. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, signal for help. No one will judge you for getting out early.

Mental Preparation

Swimming with orcas is intense. You're cold, you're in open ocean, and you're near animals that could easily harm you if they wanted to.

Some people freeze up. That's normal. The first time you're in the water with a pod, adrenaline hits hard. Your breathing might speed up, your hands might shake. Acknowledge it, control your breathing, and remember that guides are nearby.

Encounters are unpredictable. Sometimes orcas come within meters. Sometimes they stay distant. Sometimes you wait hours for a brief sighting. Managing expectations helps.

It's okay to be nervous. In fact, healthy fear keeps you respectful and cautious. Orcas deserve that respect.