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A man standing next to a lake

Wildlife on the Norwegian Coast

As a result of varied geography and climate, Norway is home to a wide range of animals - from the deepest seas to the highest mountains.

Diverse, exotic, raw - the exciting wildlife is one of the reasons why so many people travel to Norway. While animals can be found almost anywhere, we cannot understate the varied selection of animals along the Norwegian coast. From puffins and sea eagles to king crabs and whales, the coast has it all.

Under the sea

Most people associate Norway with fish. For good reasons, we should add, because Norwegians often go fishing and eat it afterwards.  Some even say that cod was the fish that built the country. The Atlantic cod, commonly known as Skrei in Norway, is perhaps the the most important of them all. If you plan to go fishing like a true Norwegian, you should also get to know the fish in the Norwegian fjords.

Another famous fellow is the king crab, which migrated from the Murmansk fjord near the Norwegian-Russian border to the coast of Finnmark. Known as a delicacy in restaurants, make sure you taste the king crab while visiting.

For many visitors, the most magnificent sea creature is probably the whale. Found in the northern areas of Norway, the majestic, beautiful and intelligent whales are the undisputed kings of the sea.

  • A person standing next to a body of water
  • A crab on a table
  • Local cod from Norway's Coastal Kitchen on board Hurtigruten
  • A fishing boat next to MS Finnmarken in Lofoten
  • Photo:

A birdwatcher's paradise

From the cliffs to the fjords, Norway is a great place to spot the diversity of bird life. Avid bird watchers who embark on Norwegian cruises will get a unique look at the avian species along the rugged coastline of the country. The island of Runde, situated just outside Torvik, is known for its teeming birdlige of more than 500,000 birds.

Vadsø is close to one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching areas in the Arctic as it sits directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. The advantageous biotopes combined with rich resources in the Arctic Ocean attract many species of birds in large numbers.

One particularly popular bird is the Atlantic puffin. Another one is the all-seeing, white-tailed sea eagle, the largest bird of prey in Norway.

A bird flying in the air on a cloudy day A bird flying in the air on a cloudy day

Further reading

  • The Fish in the Norwegian Fjords
  • The Atlantic Puffin

Related cruises

  • Save up to 10% off
    MS Maud
    15 days 22 December 2022

    Christmas Expedition Cruise from Dover

    • Experience the magic of Christmas and New Year’s along the Norwegian coast
    • Spend four days above the Arctic Circle under the Auroral Zone
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  • MS Maud
    15 days 20 Oct 2022 & 18 Feb 2023

    Astronomy Voyage | Northern Lights Expedition Cruise from Dover

    • Discover more about the magical Northern Lights, the Arctic sky and the solar system with our onboard lectures from renowned astronomer: Tom Kerss.
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    • Enjoy an exclusive visit to the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromsø with our astronomy experts.
    • Northern Lights Promise – see the Northern Lights or we’ll give you a FREE 6 or 7-day cruise for the next Northern Lights Season – T&Cs apply
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  • MS Maud
    22 days 15 Sep 2022 & 30 Aug 2023

    Autumn Expedition Cruise to Svalbard from Dover

    • The Norwegian Coast from Bergen to North Cape and Svalbard in one expedition
    • Spend 11 nights above the Arctic Circle chasing the Northern Lights
    Price from
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