About Us
Dedicated ocean loving humans
We are freedivers and scubadivers with more than 20 years of experience in the travel, dive and tourism industry.
Since 2014 we have specialized in Orca swim & snorkel expeditions in Arctic Norway. Throughout the season, we operate orca liveaboards and work with travel agents, film crews and professional photographers, welcoming international guests from all over the world.
Our team of dedicated expedition leaders & crew look forward to provide you with an adventure of a lifetime.
7 good reasons to choose us
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Our own orca operation since 2014
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Experienced Scandinavian expedition leaders
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Small group guarantee for better & soft encounters
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We use all daylight for maximum oceantime
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Our own quality arctic freedive wetsuits & equipment
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1 inwater guide + 1 skipper on each zodiac
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We get away from crowds and find relaxed animals for best encounters.
Safety
We understand how thrilling this experience can be, but please know that our highest priority is ensuring everyone returns home safely at the end of the day.
The safety of both our guests and the animals is paramount to us.
All our guides and crew are trained in emergency first response and hold the proper certifications. And our ships are of course equipped with comprehensive emergency care and first aid equipment.
Giving back - Respect & Conservation
We believe that respect for wildlife and for one another is what makes our interactions truly special. We never chase or force animals. With years of experience and a deep understanding of animal behavior, we have learned how to approach them in a respectful and gentle manner, ensuring we do not cause them any harm or stress.
At HeyOrca we believe conservation and tourism go hand in hand. We believe that people protect what they love, and our mission is to help you develop a profound appreciation for the ocean.
We support the work of Norwegian Orca Survey https://www.norwegianorcasurvey.no/ by money donations as well as educate our guests on how to help collect photo ID for their research.
Meet the Team
Mads Odgaard
Founder & Expedition Leader
Mads is the one who started it all. After completing his engineering degree, he realized his true passion was working in and on the ocean. He became a dive instructor, commercial skipper, and dive center manager in South Africa and Mozambique before launching his first dive travel agency in 2005. That agency has since grown into the largest dive travel company in Scandinavia.
Mads' greatest passion has always been large marine animals and in 2014, he began operating Orca swim expeditions in Arctic Norway. After organizing and leading countless dive trips and big animal expeditions around the world, he is now dedicated to welcoming Orca swimmers to Norway.
Jonas Beyer
Photography Expert & Expedition Leader
Jonas is a seasoned wildlife photographer with extensive experience in the polar regions. Over the years, he has traveled to various remote locations and worked as a guide and expedition leader in Antarctica, Greenland, Norway, Svalbard, Uganda, and South Africa. Before joining HeyOrca, Jonas served as a contractor for the United States Air Force (USAF) in Thule, Greenland. Though initially trained as a carpenter and firefighter, Jonas later decided to follow his passion for photography and wildlife.
In 2018, Jonas earned 2nd place in the National Geographic annual photo contest in the “Wildlife” category. That same year, he also captured the image that won Denmark’s best nature photo award. Jonas has a deep love for large animals, whether swimming with killer whales in Northern Norway, hiking among musk oxen in Greenland, trekking through jungles to observe gorillas in Uganda or tracking polar bears in Svalbard.
Asbjørn Lausten
Expedition Leader
Asbjørn has a deep passion for everything related to the ocean and diving. Originally from the wood industry, where he held various leadership positions, his love for exploring beneath the surface eventually captured his heart. After earning his first certification, he decided that diving would not only be his hobby but also his career. Today, Asbjørn is the daily manager and lead instructor of the largest diveschool in Scandinavia and has been working with HeyOrca as expedition leader on our Orca expeditions in Norway since 2018.
Jeppe Balle
Marine Biologist & Expedition Leader
Jeppe is a marine biologist actively working with Aarhus University in Denmark. His passion for the ocean has led him to specialize in the behavior, ecology and conservation strategies for large marine mammals.
Throughout his career, Jeppe has been involved in several international research projects including the Vaquitas in Mexico and Minke Whale ABR trial in Lofoten, Norway to name just a few. His roles in these projects have included boat driving, catching, telemetric tagging, and caring for the animals involved.
Alongside his work as a marine biologist, Jeppe serves as a part-time firefighter and first-aid responder, and is also a certified professional commercial diver and a recreational scuba dive instructor.
Jeppe has been working with HeyOrca as expedition leader in Norway since 2023.
Catherine Cushenan "Cat"
Marine Biologist & Whale Guide
Cat is a passionate marine biologist and whale guide.
When she is not in Norway with us, Cat works as a whaleswim guide for humpback whales, blue whales and sperm whales in other whale capitals around the world.
She is also a passionate shark ecologist, a competitive freediver currently ranked in the top 100 women in freediving in the world and a great underwater photographer.
Cat has joined the HeyOrca team for the 2024 season.
Anne-Katrine Frederiksen
Whale Guide
Since childhood, AK has been fascinated by large marine mammals. After her first visit, she fell in love with the Orcas in Norway and did not look back!
In addition to working as a whale guide for HeyOrca, she also works as a scuba diving instructor and spends most of her free time underwater.
AK has been working with HeyOrca as whale guide on our Orca expeditions in Norway since 2022.
