Yet another crazy activity that I didn’t know you could do, but now I have added it to the list: snorkeling with orcas in northern Norway.  This article from USA Today details one man’s adventure of taking up the crazy challenge to don a drysuit, jump into frigid Norwegian ocean waters, and get up close and personal with some killer whales.

The orcas are the main attraction for his dip into the chilly 36 degree F (2 C) waters.  From December to early February, the orcas follow the herring that take up residence in Andfjord, near the town of Andenes (just north of the Arctic Circle).  While orcas can be seen in more hospitable waters such as British Columbia or New Zealand, this is the only place where you can reliably get in the water with them.

Bonus: You may also be lucky enough to see humpbacks or fin whales, too.  (Y’know, in case “just seeing orcas” isn’t enough for you!)

I would love to do this someday.  There really is no substitute for seeing wildlife comfortable in their own element, to seeing them in all their glory.  It makes me sad to see huge, beautiful, intelligent creatures like whales in captivity, living out sad lives in aquariums and theme parks.  I always feel like it’s the equivalent of humans being forced to live in a bathroom their entire life and do tricks for food.  So it does my heart good to see them in the wild, on their own terms, living life as they were meant to be.  Even if it means I have to put my face into the frigid sea to see them!  Brrrr!!!