Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

A small RIB boat takes you from Bleik into the deep-water Bleik Canyon, where sperm whales, orcas, pilot whales, puffins, and eagles may appear under the midnight sun. The compact boat can get you close to wildlife, and the trip combines a fast, lively ride with long, quiet periods watching the sea.

I like the maximum group size of 12, which keeps the outing personal, and I like that warm flotation suits, photos, and hot drinks with muffins are included. The main catch is the open sea: rough water can make the ride hard on your back or stomach, and whale sightings can require a long wait.

Key points to know before you book

• Orcas are a real possibility: Recent trips have seen orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, sperm whales, and dolphins.
• Bleik Canyon is the focus: The boat heads toward deep water where marine life gathers to feed.
• Puffins add a second wildlife stop: Bird watching may include puffins, sea eagles, gannets, and harbor seals.
• The 9 PM departure has special light: In summer, the sun stays above the horizon, giving the sea a soft Arctic glow.
• You need to handle a RIB ride: Warm gear is supplied, but the boat can hit large waves and sits low on the water.
• The price is $199: That is a serious spend, but it covers 3.5 hours, equipment, a guide, photos, and refreshments.

Why Bleik is a strong base for whale watching

Bleik sits on Andøya in Vesterålen, about a 10-minute drive from Andenes. That short transfer matters. You do not have to travel far from a larger town before reaching the marina, yet the boat quickly heads toward open water and the deep Bleik Canyon.

The canyon is the reason this outing can produce such a varied wildlife list. Fish gather in the area, and fish attract whales and seabirds. Your search may focus on sperm whales, but the local cast can change quickly. Orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, and, less often, Risso’s dolphins and fin whales all use these waters.

I like this mix because you are not putting the whole value of the trip on one species. A sperm whale sighting can be thrilling, but a pod of pilot whales, a few orcas, or thousands of puffins can make the day just as memorable.

The setting also gives the trip a strong sense of place. You are not simply taking a boat ride in a random stretch of sea. You are heading into a known feeding area surrounded by the Arctic summer light of Andøya.

What happens at Bleik Marina

The meeting point is at Bleik Marina, reached by following the beach road past Midnattsol Camping and turning near Smia Pub. Follow the Puffin Safari sign and look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, also called the Green Dragon.

Your skipper and guide meet you there. Before boarding, you put on a warm flotation suit and life jacket. Past accounts also describe gloves, boots, and goggles being supplied, but it is still smart to wear warm outdoor clothing underneath and bring a spare set of clothes.

The equipment stage is not a small detail. The boat is open, and the wind can feel cold even during a sunny summer day. A change of clothes is sensible if spray reaches you or the sea turns rough.

The outing has departures at 10:00 and 21:00. The later trip is especially appealing during the midnight-sun season. Instead of darkness, you may have low golden light across the water, which makes the wildlife search feel unusual and gives the surrounding cliffs a warm glow.

The RIB ride to Bleik Canyon

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is one of the best features of this experience. A small group makes it easier to hear the guide, move your attention from one side of the boat to the other, and keep the outing from feeling like a large sightseeing cruise.

It also means you feel the boat more directly. A RIB is quick and exciting, but it is not a sheltered vessel. The ride may be smooth, or it may involve large waves and plenty of bouncing. One trip encountered rough water, while another had calm conditions and stayed with whales for a long time.

Your guide explains the species you see and helps watch the water. Christina and Norbert have led trips, while Bekka and Katie have also worked as guide and skipper. The guide may take photos during the trip, so you can concentrate on the sea instead of trying to manage a camera in a moving boat.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. You get the speed and spray of a proper RIB excursion, not just a slow transfer to a viewing point. Still, people with back problems, vertigo, heart or respiratory conditions, recent surgery, or other medical concerns should take the restrictions seriously.

Searching for sperm whales, orcas, and pilot whales

Once the boat reaches the deeper water, the pace changes. The RIB may move between sightings, then stop or slow while everyone watches for a back, blow, fin, or group movement.

Sperm whales are one of the main targets. They may remain at a distance, and you can spend a long period waiting in open water. One outing found four sperm whales but required about an hour and a half of staying still at sea. That is worth understanding before you book: the most dramatic whale is not always the closest one.

Orcas can create a very different encounter. Recent trips have found pods close to the boat, with one group staying nearby for much of the outing. Another trip spent about an hour with orcas before moving on to birds. These sightings are never guaranteed, but the area can produce extraordinary moments when conditions and animal movements line up.

Pilot whales are another strong possibility. A pod with young animals has been seen close to the RIB, and some trips have stayed out longer than planned to watch them. Minke whales and dolphins may also appear.

The guide’s role is important here. You need someone who can identify animals, explain their behavior, and approach without pushing too close. The strongest part of this trip is not simply getting near wildlife. It is seeing animals in their own space while the skipper gives them room to move.

Puffin cliffs and the wider bird life

The trip is called Puffins and Muffins for good reason. Even when whales stay hidden, the bird watching can carry the outing.

Puffins are commonly part of the search, and some trips have found thousands around the colony. They are small, quick, and entertaining to watch as they fly, sit on the water, and move around the cliffs. The puffin stop also changes the pace after time spent scanning the open sea.

Look for sea eagles, gannets, and other bird life along the way. Several trips have included close eagle sightings, while others saw eagles from farther away. Harbor seals may also appear around the shoreline and rocky areas.

This is where the tour earns extra value. You are not simply buying a whale guarantee, which no responsible operator can offer. You are paying for a wider wildlife outing in an area where birds and marine mammals share the same food supply.

If puffins are your main goal, tell the guide early. One trip that did not find whales still produced a strong puffin experience, with the colony providing the highlight.

How the timing changes the experience

The 10:00 departure is the straightforward choice. It fits better into a normal day and may suit you if you have other plans around Andenes or Andøya.

The 21:00 departure offers the more unusual experience. In summer, Bleik has the midnight sun, so the late trip does not mean darkness. You may spend the evening watching whales in pale Arctic light, then stop at a puffin colony before returning.

The late departure can also make the outing feel less rushed. One evening trip spent close to three hours watching whales before visiting puffins near the end. That kind of timing is ideal if you want the wildlife itself to set the pace.

Still, light does not guarantee calm water or more animals. Sea conditions and animal movements decide what you see. Choose the evening sailing for the atmosphere, not as a promise of better sightings.

What $199 includes, and what it does not

At $199 per person, this is a costly half-day activity. The price makes more sense when you count the full package: 210 minutes on the water, a RIB ride, warm flotation gear, life jackets, an English-speaking guide, photos, and tea, coffee, and muffins after the trip.

The small group also matters. A 12-person maximum gives you a more direct experience than a large boat with many rows of people. You are paying for access to a compact vessel, specialist guiding, and a route into the Bleik Canyon.

The value depends on what you want. If you need a guaranteed close look at a whale, no boat trip can honestly promise that. You may spend a long time waiting for sperm whales and see them at a distance. If you value the full mix of orcas, pilot whales, puffins, eagles, seals, Arctic light, and the RIB ride itself, the price is easier to justify.

The included photos are useful, too. Taking sharp pictures from a bouncing boat is difficult, especially when an animal surfaces for only a few seconds. Having the guide take photos lets you keep your eyes on the water.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

You should be in reasonably good physical condition for this outing. The operator does not recommend it for pregnant women, people with mobility limitations, wheelchair users, people under 135 centimeters tall, or anyone with claustrophobia, vertigo, heart problems, respiratory issues, recent surgery, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Back trouble deserves special attention. Even a professional skipper cannot remove every jolt from a fast open boat. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use, since long periods stopped in open water can be difficult.

Wear warm outdoor clothing, even if the weather looks mild at the marina. Bring a dry change of clothes. The flotation suit helps, but it does not replace sensible layers.

The trip suits active adults, older children who meet the height requirement, wildlife photographers, bird lovers, and anyone who likes a little speed with their nature outing. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, sheltered cruise or a fixed schedule with constant movement.

Practical details at a glance

The full experience lasts 3.5 hours, including time to put on the suits before departure and warm drinks while changing afterward. Plan your day around the full window rather than treating the listed time as only time on the water.

The guide speaks English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the current start time when booking, since availability controls which departure you can select.

The marina is in Bleik, not Andenes itself. Allow the 10-minute drive from Andenes, then follow the signs toward the marina. Arrive ready to change into safety gear, rather than arriving in delicate clothing or shoes you need to keep dry.

Should you book the Bleik whale safari?

Book it if you want a small-group Arctic wildlife trip with a real chance of seeing several species, and if you are comfortable with an open RIB in changing sea conditions. The combination of Bleik Canyon, puffin colonies, possible orcas, and the midnight sun makes this more than a single-species whale hunt.

I would be cautious if you have back, heart, breathing, balance, or motion sickness concerns. I would also set expectations clearly: you might see sperm whales at a distance, or spend much of the trip waiting in open water. That is part of wildlife watching, not a failure of the outing.

For most fit nature lovers visiting Andenes or Vesterålen in summer, this is a strong choice. The small boat, broad range of wildlife, warm gear, photos, and memorable evening light give the $199 price a fair return, especially if the day brings orcas and a busy puffin colony.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Bleik Marina in Bleik, Nordland County. From Andenes, the marina is about a 10-minute drive. Follow the beach road near Midnattsol Camping, turn by Smia Pub, and follow the Puffin Safari sign.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 210 minutes, or 3.5 hours. This includes getting ready in warm flotation suits before the boat ride and having tea, coffee, and muffins while changing afterward.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, Risso’s dolphins, fin whales, puffins, sea eagles, gannets, and harbor seals. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

How many people are on the boat?

The RIB carries a maximum of 12 people. This small capacity gives you a more direct view and keeps the group compact during the wildlife search.

Are warm clothes and safety equipment provided?

Warm flotation suits and life jackets are included. Past trips have also supplied gloves, boots, and goggles. You should still bring warm outdoor clothing and a change of clothes.

Are there morning and evening departures?

Yes. Departures are scheduled for 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina. The late trip takes place under the summer midnight sun rather than in darkness.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.