Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

A pod of orcas gliding beside a small RIB under the midnight sun is the sort of Arctic scene you remember for years. From Bleik, near Andenes, you head toward the deep-water Bleik Canyon, where sperm whales and other animals gather to feed. The small boat brings you close to the action, but it also means you feel the sea more directly.

I like the intimate 12-person limit and the mix of whales, birds, and coastal scenery. I also like the practical setup: warm flotation suits, boots, life jackets, photographs, and hot tea, coffee, and muffins are included. The main catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and a rough sea or a quiet whale day can change the outing completely. Long periods watching open water may also leave some people seasick.

Key points to know before you book

• Bleik Canyon is the main wildlife area: The deep water attracts sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and other marine life.
• The RIB carries no more than 12 people: That gives you a more personal outing than a large sightseeing boat.
• Puffins are part of the plan, not just a lucky extra: The trip usually includes time near puffin areas, along with eagles, gannets, and seals.
• The 9 PM departure uses the midnight sun: In summer, late evening can bring beautiful light and calm Arctic scenery.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive flotation and warm suits, life jackets, boots, gloves, and goggles according to the equipment used on the trip.
• Sightings vary: Past outings have included orcas, sperm whales, pilot whales, minke whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and sea eagles, but no sighting is guaranteed.

From Andenes to Bleik Marina in 10 minutes

Bleik is a small coastal settlement about a 10-minute drive from Andenes on Andøya, in Nordland County. The meeting point is Bleik Marina, reached by driving down the beach road at Midnattsol Camping, continuing toward Smia Pub, and turning down to the marina. Follow the Puffin Safari sign and look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, also called the Green Dragon.

That short drive matters if you are staying in Andenes. You do not need to move hotels for this outing, but you do need to allow enough time to find the marina and get ready before departure. Tours leave at 10:00 and 21:00, subject to availability.

The late trip is especially appealing in summer. The sun does not set in this part of northern Norway, so the 21:00 departure can still feel like daytime. The light may give the water and cliffs a soft glow, while the timing leaves much of the day free for other activities.

Getting ready for a three-and-a-half-hour RIB trip

The advertised duration is 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That total includes getting dressed on shore and having tea, coffee, and muffins after the boat ride, so the time moving across the water is somewhat less than the full figure.

Before boarding, you put on warm flotation clothing and a life jacket. Boots, gloves, and goggles have also been provided on outings, although I would still confirm the exact equipment when booking. The suits are a useful part of the cost, since even a mild summer day can feel cold at speed on open water.

Bring warm layers, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes. A spare set is sensible for any fast boat trip, since spray and weather can make you wetter or colder than expected. The crew gives safety instructions before departure, and the skipper handles the boat while the guide explains the wildlife.

The RIB holds a maximum of 12 people. That small capacity is one of the best reasons to choose this excursion. You get a better chance to hear the guide, and the boat can move between wildlife areas without the feel of a large group operation. One practical point came up clearly: people seated at the back may have trouble hearing the commentary. If wildlife facts matter to you, ask about seating or move closer to the guide when possible.

Crossing toward the deep-water Bleik Canyon

The central part of the outing is the trip toward Bleik Canyon. This underwater canyon reaches deep water close to the coast, creating feeding conditions that attract several whale species. Your guide and skipper search the surface for blows, fins, backs, and groups of birds that may reveal activity below.

The main target is often the sperm whale. These whales can be seen in the open sea, and several outings have produced sightings of four animals or a sperm whale surfacing before it disappears below the water. You may not see one close to the boat, and long stretches of waiting are possible. That is part of the nature of whale watching, not a flaw in the operation.

A boat may remain still while the crew watches an area. One outing involved about an hour and a half in open water waiting near sperm whales, and some people became seasick. If you have a sensitive stomach, consider taking your usual precautions before departure and choose the calmer day if you have flexibility.

The search can also produce other whales. Pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and occasionally Risso’s dolphins and fin whales are known in the area. Past trips have encountered groups of pilot whales with young animals, minke whales, dolphins, and orcas that stayed near the boat for a long time.

Orcas are the most dramatic possibility. On some trips, a pod has remained nearby for much of the ride. A small RIB can provide an unusually close view, but the crew’s approach still matters. The strongest outings combine proximity with careful behavior around the animals. The guides Christina and Norbert have been noted for explaining animal behavior and keeping a respectful distance, while Bekka and Katie have also led trips with clear information and calm handling.

Watching whales from a small, fast boat

A RIB gives you two very different sensations at once. It is fast and lively, which makes the ride exciting, but it has less shelter than a larger boat. You feel the speed, the wind, and the swell. For someone who likes active outdoor trips, that is a major advantage. For someone seeking a quiet, sheltered cruise, it may be tiring.

Sea conditions are a real part of the decision. One outing had large waves, while other trips had calm water and long whale encounters. The skipper’s skill helps, but no skipper can remove the movement of the sea. The activity asks participants to be in reasonably good physical shape.

The tour is not suitable for people who are pregnant, have back, heart, respiratory, or mobility problems, or have vertigo, claustrophobia, recent surgery, or other pre-existing medical conditions. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone under 135 centimeters tall. These rules are important on a small, moving boat and should be treated as firm safety guidance.

Puffin cliffs, sea eagles, and the second half of the search

Whale watching is only half the appeal. The food-rich waters also attract seabirds, and the excursion commonly includes a stop or pass near puffin areas. On good days, you can see thousands of puffins around the cliffs, with birds flying, resting on the water, and moving between the sea and their nesting ground.

Puffins are small, quick, and entertaining to watch. They also give you something to focus on if the whale search is slow. Several outings paired puffins with sea eagles, and other birds have included gannets and additional seabirds.

Harbor seals may appear around the coast and in sheltered areas. Sea eagles can be seen closer to the boat or farther off in the sky, depending on conditions. You may also encounter seals and other marine life while moving between the whale and bird areas.

The order is not fixed. The crew searches for whales according to where the animals are reported or spotted, then uses the remaining time for birds and coastal wildlife. On one particularly strong outing, nearly three hours went to whale watching before the final 15 minutes at a puffin colony. On another, a group saw puffins and dolphins but no whales. You should expect a wildlife search, not a scripted series of guaranteed stops.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide is more than a narrator. On a small RIB, the guide watches the sea, points out birds, explains the differences between whale species, and helps you understand what you are seeing. That matters when a whale appears briefly and vanishes before you can make sense of its shape.

English is the listed tour language. Guides including Christina, Norbert, Bekka, and Katie have led outings, depending on the departure. The best information comes when the boat is stopped or moving slowly. At higher speed, wind and engine noise can make every seat a poor place for conversation, especially at the back.

Photos are included. The guide takes pictures during the trip and provides them afterward as memories of the outing. You should still bring a camera or phone only if you can secure it safely. On a fast boat, watching the water is often more rewarding than trying to record every moment.

The guide’s attitude toward wildlife also affects the quality of the trip. The strongest encounters described from this area involve patient observation rather than chasing animals. That is especially important with orcas, pilot whales, and sperm whales, which can change direction or disappear without warning.

Tea, coffee, muffins, and the value of $199

At $199 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price needs to cover a small boat, a skipper, a wildlife guide, warm protective equipment, photographs, and a three-and-a-half-hour outing in a remote coastal area.

I think the value is strongest if you want a small-group experience and are already planning to visit Andenes or Vesterålen. The 12-person maximum gives the trip a more personal feel, and the included clothing saves you from arranging specialist gear. The bird watching also makes the price easier to justify because the outing is not built around one whale species alone.

The value is less certain if your main goal is a guaranteed close look at sperm whales. You may spend a long time on open water and see animals only at a distance. You may also have a rough ride, and the boat is not designed for people who need easy movement or substantial shelter.

The hot drinks and muffins come at the end while you change out of the suits. They are small details, but they matter after several hours in wind and spray. Think of them as a warm finish, not a meal.

Choosing between the 10:00 and 21:00 departures

The 10:00 departure is the straightforward choice if you prefer a morning on the water. It leaves the evening open and may suit a wider day plan around Andenes and Bleik.

The 21:00 trip is the special option. Summer’s midnight sun keeps the surroundings bright late into the evening, and calm conditions can make the golden light feel almost unreal. An evening departure also gives you a different view of the coast from the same boat route.

Do not choose the late tour only because it sounds photogenic. Weather and wildlife still control the result. If you have flexibility, choose based on sea conditions and your own tolerance for a long day rather than assuming the later trip will produce better sightings.

Who should book this Bleik wildlife trip?

I would choose this tour if you enjoy active boat rides, open-water wildlife watching, and a small group. It is a particularly good match for anyone who wants puffins as well as whales, since the bird colonies add real value when the sea is quiet.

It also suits photographers and nature fans who care about seeing animals in their setting rather than ticking off a single species. The midnight sun departure is a memorable choice for couples and families with older children who meet the height and health requirements.

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, need a sheltered boat, or want a guaranteed whale sighting. The trip can include long periods of stillness while the crew searches, followed by sudden, thrilling action. That uncertainty is the heart of wildlife watching, but you should be comfortable with it before paying $199.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a lively, small-group trip where orcas, pilot whales, sperm whales, puffins, seals, and sea eagles are all possible. The included warm gear, photos, and refreshments make the package practical, while the 21:00 departure offers a fine midnight-sun setting.

Skip it if open-water waiting, rough waves, or a fast RIB sound unpleasant. For the right person, this is one of the most memorable ways to experience Bleik Canyon, but the best reason to go is the full wildlife mix, not a promise of one particular whale.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart from?

It departs from Bleik Marina in Bleik, Nordland County. Drive along the beach road at Midnattsol Camping toward Smia Pub, turn down to the marina, and follow the Puffin Safari sign. Look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, also called the Green Dragon.

How far is Bleik from Andenes?

Bleik is about a 10-minute drive from Andenes.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. This includes getting ready in warm flotation suits before the ride and having tea, coffee, and muffins while changing afterward.

What animals 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 can join the RIB?

The RIB excursion has a maximum of 12 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. English is the listed tour language.

What equipment is included?

The activity includes flotation and warm suits, life jackets, and the RIB boat excursion. Boots, gloves, and goggles have also been supplied on outings. Photos, tea, coffee, and muffins are included as well.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility, back, heart, or respiratory problems, people with vertigo or claustrophobia, anyone under 135 centimeters tall, or anyone with recent surgery or other pre-existing medical conditions. Participants should be in reasonably good physical shape.