Whale watching sailing holiday, Norway

Planet

Whales have been an important part of Norwegian coastal culture and for the people along the coast. Whales fascinate, inspire, and have been both a valuable resource and the origin of myths, Norway has had a bad reputation during the history of times, but today we have a strong history of sustainable management of marine ecosystems.

Various whales can be seen off the coast of the islands throughout the year, including sperm whales, humpback whales, minke whales, orcas, pilot whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.

CARBON REDUCTION
Arctic Ocean Lodge employs several strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability, this is described on our website Embracing Sustainable and Responsible Travel — Arctic Ocean Lodge. The focus areas are:
• Renewable Energy: The lodge uses clean hydroelectric power to minimize reliance on fossil fuels.
• Slow Travel: They emphasize slow travel, primarily using wind power for transportation, which reduces emissions.
• Wildlife-Friendly Practices: When observing wildlife, they turn off engines and use sails to minimize disturbance and emissions.
• Recycling: The lodge actively recycles materials to reduce waste.
• Local Sourcing: They prioritize sourcing supplies and services from local businesses, reducing transportation emissions and supporting the local economy.
These efforts help Arctic Ocean Lodge maintain a balance between providing a unique travel experience and preserving the environment. ??
Also, on our website we described in detail how our sustainable travel to reduce carbon emissions are described

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
We are deeply committed to sustainable practices both at our lodge and in the outdoor activities we offer. Every aspect of our tourism business is thoughtfully designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly and do no harm to the local community or Mother Nature. Here are some key aspects of our commitment:
Sustainable Practices
• The lodge uses clean hydroelectric power to minimize its carbon footprint1.
• They emphasize slow travel, primarily using wind power for transportation, which reduces emissions and minimizes disturbance to wildlife.
Wildlife-Friendly Operations
• Arctic Ocean Lodge is part of an ongoing research program on whale preservation together with Whale2Sea, one of the largest whale safari companies in Europe. Outline of the project and how it is marketed: “Since 2020, Whale2Sea and Whale safari have researched sperm whales, long-finned pilot whales, and Risso's dolphins off Andøya, led by Dr. Tiu Similä. The research focuses on behavioral ecology, habitat use, and diving behavior

By joining on this trip you will be able to learn about the whales, observe and listen through our towable hydrophone and contribute to the ongoing research on whales."
• When observing wildlife, such as whales, we turn off engines and use sails to approach, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals.
• They engage in responsible wildlife viewing practices to protect the natural behavior and habitats of the animals-
Recycling and Waste Reduction
• The lodge actively recycles materials to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
Community Engagement
• We host local community events and prioritize sourcing supplies and services from local businesses, supporting the local economy and reducing transportation emissions.
• The lodge offers a platform for local artisans and encouraging cultural exchange and supporting the local community.

Arctic Ocean Lodge is also part of the Andøya network Bird Safari with sailboat - Birds - Birds and wildlife Andøy where our slow travel and commitment to sustainable tourism is described. We strive to balance the needs of travelers with the preservation of the environment and the well-being of the local community. Their efforts ensure a responsible and harmonious coexistence with nature.

People

“LOCAL ECONOMY”
A wider range of our offerings means that guests stay longer in the same place, which in turn has a smaller environmental footprint. We have local collaborations and thus spread the value creation. We emphasize giving our guests a cultural immersion in Norwegian coastal culture through experiences such as guided fishing trips, hanging fish, courses and storytelling. This gives our guests a richer understanding of Andøya's culture, which makes them stay longer and forge a stronger bond with the local area. This also contributes to social sustainability by creating mutual respect and commitment among our visitors.

“EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY”
Local residents express that the project not only contributes to local jobs, but also "greater quality of life for both older and younger. people". We engage local people to work with us whenever possible – this includes local carpentry services, cleaning. Approximately 80% of our engagement people are local, the remainder are people that has come to work from other countries.

Wages are paid according to minimum tariffs regulated by the State of Norway

We embrace diversity and this is described in our “Code of Conduct” available on our web side.

The trip, being onboard has limitation for certain disabled people, like mobility. Other disabilities can be accommodated.

CULTURAL HERTIAGE
One og our syaling yachts "Toftevaag" has been a flagship of the conservation of whales, dolphins, seabirds, and turtles of the Mediterranean Sea. Toftevaag sailed into the Mediterranean on the 5th of June of 1990, skippered by Ana Cañadas and Ric Sagarminaga under the flag of Alnitak, the Toftevaag would soon become a flagship of marine biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean, pioneering with a new formula of citizen science developed by the Earth watch Institute.

After 24 years working to protect the Mediterranean Toftevaag has returned to Norway, where she was born in 1907 to continue her scientific journey around Andøya and Northern Norway. Toftevaag is known mainly from her work with the Cultural Association ALNITAK and since 1990, Toftevaag has been the working platform of many of the World’s top oceanographic research institutions (Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station, Duke University Marine Lab, St. Andrews University SMRU, Woodshole Oceanographic Institution, NOAA, NATO ONR, etc.) and wildlife documentary enterprises as BBC, National Geographic or ARTE TV.