Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

Orcas, sperm whales, and thousands of puffins are the prize on this fast-moving trip from Bleik, a small coastal village about 10 minutes from Andenes. The RIB reaches the open water of Bleik Canyon, where fish draw whales and seabirds close to shore.

I like the small group, capped at 12 people, and the fact that you get a lively RIB ride rather than a slow cruise. I also like the practical finish: warm drinks, muffins, and photos from the crew. The catch is simple: open-water whale watching can mean a long wait in rough seas, and sightings are never guaranteed.

Key points

• Orcas can stay with the boat: Several trips have spent an hour or more with pods close by.
• Bleik Canyon is the wildlife focus: Sperm whales, pilot whales, minke whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and eagles may all appear.
• A 12-person RIB keeps the trip personal: The small boat helps the crew get closer to wildlife while keeping the group manageable.
• The 9 PM departure is special: The midnight sun can light the sea late into the evening, with no real sunset in summer.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive flotation suits, life jackets, gloves, boots, and goggles according to the equipment available for the trip.
• The tour is physical: It is not suitable for people under 135 centimeters, pregnant people, or those with several medical and mobility conditions.

Why Bleik Canyon is a strong whale-watching base

Bleik sits on Andøya in Vesterålen, Nordland County, just a short drive from Andenes. The attraction here is not only the village or the boat ride. It is the nearby deep-water canyon, a marine area where fish gather and larger animals come looking for food.

That food chain gives you more than a single-target whale trip. You may set out hoping for a sperm whale and end up watching orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, puffins, sea eagles, gannets, seals, or dolphins. The variety matters because the sea does not follow a script.

Sperm whales are a major reason this excursion heads offshore. You might see the whale surface, breathe, and then disappear for a long period before returning. The animal may remain at a distance, so patience is part of the deal. A four-sperm-whale sighting can be exciting, but it may also involve sitting still in open water for around an hour and a half.

Orcas offer a different kind of encounter. Several departures have found pods near the RIB, with some groups spending close to an hour watching the animals move through the water. That kind of sighting is never promised, but Bleik’s mix of fish, birds, and marine mammals gives the crew a broad area to search.

What the 3.5-hour RIB trip feels like

The advertised 210 minutes includes time on shore to put on warm flotation gear and time afterward for tea, coffee, and muffins. The time on the water is therefore not the full three and a half hours, though the exact split can vary.

At Bleik Marina, look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, also known as the Green Dragon, or follow the Puffin Safari sign. The meeting point is reached by driving down the beach road at Midnattsol Camping, continuing toward Smia Pub, and turning down to the marina.

The crew gets you into the required clothing before departure. The supplied gear includes warm flotation suits and life jackets, with gloves, boots, and goggles also described as part of the protection kit. Wear warm outdoor clothing beneath it, and bring a change of clothes. That extra layer is sensible after several hours on a cold, wet sea.

The RIB is built for speed and easy movement across the water. That is part of the fun, but it also means you should expect spray, wind, and repeated bumps. You need to be in reasonably good physical shape, hold on as directed, and accept that the boat will not feel like a calm sightseeing vessel.

A guide and skipper run the trip. Christina and Norbert have led departures, while Bekka and Katie have also worked as guide and skipper. The commentary covers the species you see and the behavior around you. One useful point to know is that sound can be harder to catch from the back of the RIB, so try to sit where you can hear the guide clearly.

Searching for whales in open water

The first major part of the excursion is the search across Bleik Canyon and its surroundings. The crew watches for blows, fins, birds, and other signs of feeding activity. You may travel quickly between areas, then slow down or stop when wildlife appears.

The most sought-after sighting is often the sperm whale. This area can produce memorable encounters, but sperm whales may stay well away from the boat. You should think of this as a genuine wildlife search rather than a guaranteed close-up show.

Pilot whales are another strong possibility. A pod may include young animals, and one trip recorded pilot whales approaching close to the boat. Dolphins, including Risso’s dolphins, are also possible, though less common. Minke whales and fin whales are listed among the animals that may pass through the area.

Orcas have provided the biggest moments for many departures. Some groups have watched a pod for most of the trip, while others have seen them alongside minke whales or pilot whales. When an orca appears, the boat may remain in the area rather than rushing on. The crew’s approach is described as careful and respectful, which is important when a small boat is close to wild animals.

The open sea has a downside. Conditions can turn rough, and one departure encountered large waves. A professional skipper can handle the boat, but good boat handling will not prevent seasickness for everyone. If you are prone to motion sickness, the long periods of waiting on open water deserve serious thought.

Puffin cliffs and the bird-watching finish

The bird portion gives the trip a useful second act. Puffins gather around the cliffs and nearby water, sometimes in very large numbers. You may see them flying low, sitting on the sea, or moving around the colony.

The puffin stop can be especially rewarding when whales do not appear. One departure saw no whales but found dolphins and a puffin colony filled with birds. Another recorded thousands of puffins, along with sea eagles nearby.

Look beyond the puffins. White-tailed eagles, gannets, and other seabirds can appear while the crew searches the area. Harbor seals are also possible. The birds are not simply a filler activity while waiting for whales. They show how much life is supported by the same fish-rich waters.

The order of the wildlife stops can change. Some trips spend most of the time with whales and visit puffins near the end. Others spend more time on bird watching, depending on conditions and animal locations. This flexible approach is better than following a rigid route, but it means no two departures will feel identical.

The midnight sun changes the mood

The 10 AM and 9 PM departures offer different ways to experience Bleik. The evening trip is the more unusual choice during summer, when the sun does not set. The sea and cliffs can remain lit late into the night, giving the trip a soft Arctic glow.

Several evening departures have had calm water and clear views under the midnight sun. That light can make an already unusual wildlife encounter feel even more memorable, especially when an orca pod passes close to the boat or puffins gather near the cliffs.

The 10 AM trip is the safer choice if you want a conventional daytime schedule or need to continue driving afterward. The 9 PM departure may suit you if you are staying nearby and want the distinctive summer atmosphere. Since sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions rather than the clock alone, I would choose the departure based on your energy, accommodation, and tolerance for a late return.

How close can you get to the animals?

The small RIB helps the crew approach wildlife more closely than a large vessel might. You are low to the water, so an animal near the boat can feel remarkably close. That also means you should keep your expectations realistic. You are not guaranteed a perfect photograph or a whale surfacing beside your seat.

Orcas have sometimes come close enough to create an intense, personal encounter. Pilot whales and dolphins may also approach or travel near the boat. Sperm whales are less predictable, and you might see only a blow, back, or tail at a greater distance.

The crew’s role is not just to find animals. Guides explain what you are seeing and help the skipper choose a respectful approach. Photos are taken during the excursion and provided afterward as memories, which is useful when cold hands and a moving boat make photography difficult.

Still, bring your own camera if you want to take pictures. Keep it secure, protect it from spray, and do not let the search for a perfect image distract you from the animal itself.

What the $199 price buys you

At $199 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price covers a 3.5-hour experience, a small 12-person boat, skipper, English-speaking guide, warm flotation equipment, life jackets, photos, and tea, coffee, and muffins afterward.

I see the value most clearly when the wildlife cooperates. Spending extended time with orcas, seeing a sperm whale in its natural setting, or watching a huge puffin colony can justify the cost for a wildlife-focused trip. The small group also matters. You are not one face among dozens on a large boat, and the crew can keep the group together more easily.

The value is less certain if your main goal is one specific species. No operator can promise an orca, sperm whale, or even a whale on a particular departure. You might instead get seabirds, seals, dolphins, and rough water. That can still be a fine outing, but you should book it as a broad marine wildlife experience.

The included gear saves you from renting or packing a full cold-weather boat outfit. The photos and refreshments are modest extras, yet they make the experience feel better organized from start to finish.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this trip if you enjoy active wildlife watching and want a smaller boat with a lively ride. It suits people who are happy to spend time scanning the sea, listening to explanations, and accepting that nature decides what appears.

It is also a good match for photographers and bird lovers. Puffins and eagles give you worthwhile subjects even when whales stay distant. The 9 PM departure is particularly appealing if the midnight sun is high on your Norway wish list.

Families need to check the height rule carefully. Anyone under 135 centimeters cannot join. The trip is also not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone with back, heart, respiratory, or balance problems. Claustrophobia, recent surgery, and other pre-existing medical conditions are also listed as reasons not to take part.

If you are unsure about your fitness, ask the operator before booking. The RIB is open, exposed, and active. This is not a gentle harbor cruise.

Practical advice for a smoother ride

Plan to arrive with warm outdoor clothing even though suits are provided. A change of clothes is worth carrying because spray and weather can leave you damp.

If you are sensitive to motion, think carefully about the open-water wait for sperm whales. The boat may remain in one area for a long time, and rough seas can make that uncomfortable. The skipper’s skill helps, but it cannot remove the movement of the sea.

Try to sit where you can hear the guide. One useful criticism of the setup is that commentary may be difficult to catch from the rear seats. Ask about the best position before departure rather than missing explanations about the animals.

Keep your expectations flexible. The crew may extend the time slightly when wildlife activity is especially good, but the exact route depends on weather, sea state, and animal behavior. A successful day might mean orcas. It might also mean puffins, eagles, seals, and dolphins with no whale sighting.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps when your Vesterålen plans depend on weather, but it does not change the need to check the forecast and your own tolerance for a rough ride.

Should you book the Bleik whale safari?

Book it if you want a close-to-the-water Arctic wildlife trip and can accept uncertainty. The combination of a 12-seat RIB, Bleik Canyon, puffin colonies, warm equipment, and the midnight sun gives you more range than a whale-only outing.

I would book the 9 PM departure for the most distinctive summer atmosphere, especially if you are hoping for golden light and calm evening water. Choose the morning if you prefer a normal schedule or want to reduce the strain of a late, active trip.

Skip it if you need guaranteed whale sightings, dislike open-water motion, or have one of the listed health or mobility concerns. For everyone else, the chance to watch orcas, sperm whales, pilot whales, or thousands of puffins makes the $199 price reasonable, provided you treat the excursion as a wild encounter rather than a fixed show.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching trip leave from?

It leaves from Bleik Marina in Bleik, Nordland County. Follow the Puffin Safari sign or 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 experience last?

The listed duration is 210 minutes, or 3.5 hours. This includes getting ready in warm flotation suits on shore and having tea, coffee, and muffins after the boat trip.

What departure times are available?

Departures are listed at 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, Risso’s dolphins, fin whales, Harbor seals, puffins, eagles, gannets, and other birdlife.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. The trip offers high chances to see whales, puffins, and other wildlife, but animals are wild and sightings can vary.

Is the midnight sun visible on this trip?

Summer departures take place during the season when the sun does not set in Bleik. The 21:00 departure can offer a special late-evening view under the midnight sun.

What equipment is included?

Warm flotation suits and life jackets are included. The protection kit has also been described as including gloves, boots, and goggles.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. Participants should be in reasonably good physical shape. The trip is not suitable for pregnant people, people with back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or balance problems, wheelchair users, people under 135 centimeters, people with claustrophobia, people with recent surgeries, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.