Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

Orcas beside a fast RIB boat, puffins crowded around rocky islets, and the soft light of the midnight sun make this one of northern Norway’s most exciting wildlife trips. I like the small 12-person boat, which gives you a better view than a crowded vessel, and I like the mix of marine mammals and birds rather than a whale-only chase. The guides, including Christina, Norbert, Bekka, and Katie, bring strong local wildlife knowledge and take photos for you.

The catch is that this is an open-water ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. Rough seas can make the trip uncomfortable, and whale sightings are never guaranteed. You may spend a long stretch sitting still while scanning the water, so bring warm layers and be honest about your tolerance for motion.

Key points to know before you go

• Small RIB, maximum 12 people: You get a close-up view and a lively ride, but less shelter from wind and waves.
• Bleik Canyon wildlife: The deep-water canyon attracts sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
• Puffin and eagle sightings: Birdwatching is a major part of the trip, with puffins, sea eagles, gannets, and other species possible.
• Midnight sun departures: The 9 PM outing can give you long golden light and a memorable Arctic evening.
• Warm gear included: Flotation suits, life jackets, gloves, boots, and goggles have been provided on recent trips.
• Bring a change of clothes: Sea spray and rough water are part of the RIB experience, even when the forecast looks good.

Why Bleik Canyon makes this trip special

Bleik sits on Andøya in the Vesterålen island group, about a 10-minute drive from Andenes. The attraction here is not simply the village or the boat ride. It is the unusual underwater terrain just offshore.

Bleik Canyon reaches into deep water close to the coast. That depth helps draw fish, and the fish bring larger animals. Sperm whales are the signature sight, but the area can also produce pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and, more occasionally, Risso’s dolphins and fin whales.

That variety matters. You are not signing up for a narrow search for one species. If sperm whales keep their distance, you may still see a pod of pilot whales, a fast-moving group of orcas, or dolphins. Even on a trip without whales, puffins, sea eagles, seals, and gannets can make the outing worthwhile.

I also like the setting because the wildlife is encountered in open water, not in a staged display. The guides watch animal behavior and work to approach carefully. That means the animals remain in charge of the moment. Sometimes they come close. Sometimes they disappear before you get a good photograph.

From Bleik Marina to the open sea

You meet the skipper and guide at Bleik Marina, near the Green Gold of Norway sign and the Puffin Safari sign. The meeting area is reached by driving down the beach road at Midnattsol camping, continuing to Smia Pub, then turning toward the marina.

The practical start of the tour takes a little time. You put on a warm flotation suit and life jacket before boarding. Recent trips have also supplied gloves, boots, and goggles. This preparation is useful, since the RIB moves quickly and the wind can feel much colder on the water than it does on shore.

Once aboard, the boat heads toward Bleik Canyon. A RIB is fast, open, and responsive. You feel the speed, especially when the sea is lively. That is part of the fun, but it also explains the restrictions: the activity is not suitable for people with serious back, heart, respiratory, or mobility problems, recent surgery, vertigo, claustrophobia, or other pre-existing medical conditions. Pregnant people, wheelchair users, and anyone under 135 centimeters tall should not book it.

The ride is designed for people in decent physical shape. You need to get into the boat, remain seated for the trip, and handle movement caused by waves. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking appropriate precautions before departure, though no specific medication is provided by the operator.

The whale search in Bleik Canyon

The main search can be quiet and patient. The skipper slows or stops when wildlife appears, and everyone scans the surface for a blow, a fin, or a dark shape moving through the water.

Sperm whales may be the hoped-for prize. They are large, striking animals, but you should understand the viewing style. They may remain some distance from the boat, and they spend time below the surface. One recent outing involved about an hour of watching four sperm whales, with the animals still viewed from a respectful distance.

Orcas can create a very different scene. Several trips have encountered pods close to the RIB, sometimes staying near the boat for a long period. That can be thrilling, but it also depends entirely on where the animals are feeding and how they choose to move. The guides cannot promise that you will see them.

Pilot whales are another strong possibility. Groups can include young animals, and the pod may approach with apparent curiosity. Minke whales and dolphins have also appeared. The range of possible sightings gives this trip more depth than a simple tick-box hunt for one famous whale.

You should prepare for pauses. One person described spending an hour and a half stopped in open sea while watching sperm whales, and several people became seasick. That is useful information, not a flaw in itself. Wildlife watching requires time, and the best sightings may happen only after a long wait.

Puffins, sea eagles, and the birdwatching stop

The birdlife is not filler between whale sightings. Puffins are one of the main reasons to choose this outing, especially in summer when large numbers gather around the nearby islands and cliffs.

The boat visits a puffin area after, or alongside, the whale search. Depending on conditions, you might see thousands of puffins flying, resting, and feeding around the rocks. Their quick movements are entertaining, but the setting is the real prize: a busy seabird colony with the open sea behind it.

Sea eagles are also possible. They may sit near the shore or circle higher above the water. Gannets and other seabirds add to the scene, while harbor seals can sometimes be found along the route. The guides explain what you are seeing and help you spot animals that blend into the water or rocks.

The bird stop is especially valuable if whales remain elusive. One trip saw no whales but found dolphins, a large puffin colony, and eagles. That is why I would choose this excursion over one advertised only around a single whale species. You have more chances for a satisfying day outdoors.

The 9 PM trip and Norway’s midnight sun

The tour runs at 10 AM and 9 PM. In summer, the late departure takes place under the midnight sun, when the Arctic sky stays bright well into the night.

The 9 PM option can be the more memorable choice if your schedule allows. The low light can tint the sea and cliffs with warm color, and calm conditions may make the experience feel unusually quiet. A July evening outing spent watching orcas for hours, followed by puffins, was helped by calm water and soft golden light.

Do not assume the late trip will always have perfect conditions. Weather and sea state can change, and bright summer light does not remove wind or spray. Still, the evening timing gives you something a standard morning departure cannot: an Arctic wildlife outing without darkness.

The 10 AM departure is the safer choice if you prefer a conventional day schedule or need to continue driving afterward. Both departures last about 3.5 hours, including time to put on the suits and enjoy hot drinks after returning.

Guides, safety, and the small-group advantage

The guide stays aboard to explain the species, answer questions, and take photographs. Guides named on recent trips include Christina and Norbert, as well as Bekka and Katie. The exact team may vary, but the format is the same: a skipper handles the boat while the guide helps you understand the animals and the setting.

The small group size is one of the strongest practical reasons to book. With no more than 12 people, you are not looking over a packed crowd every time a whale surfaces. The RIB can also move efficiently between locations.

There is one small drawback. People sitting at the back have found it harder to hear the guide, especially when the boat is moving or the wind picks up. If hearing every explanation matters to you, ask about seating before departure and pay attention when the boat slows.

The guides take a respectful approach to wildlife. They do not treat a close encounter as a license to chase an animal. That is important for the quality of the experience and for the animals themselves. A good sighting may be brief, distant, or partly hidden. The guide’s job is to help you understand it, not force a longer encounter.

Photos are included. This lets you keep your phone tucked away more often, though you should still bring it if you want your own pictures. On a moving RIB, watching the water with your own eyes is often more rewarding than trying to capture every second.

What $199 buys you

At $199 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. You are paying for a 3.5-hour small-group boat trip, specialist outerwear, a skipper, an English-speaking guide, wildlife interpretation, photographs, and hot tea, coffee, and muffins afterward.

The price makes more sense when you compare it with the boat format. A small RIB gives you speed and a closer relationship with the sea than a large sightseeing vessel. You also get the chance to search a productive canyon rather than simply cruise along the coast.

Value depends on what you want. If you need a guaranteed whale sighting, no wildlife tour can deliver that. If you enjoy being outside, accept uncertainty, and would be happy with puffins, eagles, seals, dolphins, or a scenic ride even without whales, the price is easier to justify.

The included gear is another practical saving. You do not need to rent a flotation suit or buy specialist clothing for one outing. Still, bring warm outdoor layers and a full change of clothes. The operator has provided substantial protection, but you are still riding a fast open boat in northern waters.

Who should book this RIB trip

I would recommend it most strongly to people who:

• Want a small, active wildlife outing rather than a slow sightseeing cruise.
• Have a good chance of spending several hours outdoors in changing sea conditions.
• Care about puffins and other birds as much as whales.
• Like the idea of a late-night summer trip under the midnight sun.
• Are comfortable with the possibility of waiting quietly for wildlife.
• Can handle getting into and staying in a moving RIB boat.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs easy boarding, a stable platform, or a warm indoor cabin. It is also a poor choice if you have serious back or heart problems, respiratory issues, vertigo, recent surgery, or another condition listed in the safety guidance.

The trip can work well as a day outing from Andenes, since Bleik is only about 10 minutes away by car. It also fits nicely into a longer Vesterålen road trip, especially if you want a wildlife experience that combines sea mammals and birds in one booking.

Final decision: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, close-to-the-water search for wildlife and can accept that nature sets the schedule. The strongest reasons are the 12-person limit, the mix of whales and seabirds, the included warm gear, and the chance to see orcas or pilot whales near the boat.

I would choose the 9 PM departure for the midnight sun if you are visiting in summer and can manage the late timing. Choose 10 AM if you prefer a regular day and want more flexibility afterward.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed sperm whale or a calm ride. Book it because Bleik Canyon offers several possible rewards, from a pod of orcas beside the RIB to a puffin colony crowded with birds. At its best, this is a memorable Arctic wildlife outing. At its most ordinary, it is still a fast, scenic trip into productive waters with a good chance of seeing something wild.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart?

The tour departs from Bleik Marina in Bleik, Nordland County. Follow the Puffin Safari sign near the marina and look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, where the skipper and guide meet you.

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 about 3.5 hours. This includes getting ready in warm flotation suits and having tea, coffee, and muffins after the trip.

What animals might I see?

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

How many people can join the boat trip?

The RIB boat carries a maximum of 12 people.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes. Warm flotation suits and life jackets are included, and recent trips have also provided gloves, boots, and goggles.

Are there different departure times?

Yes. Departures are listed at 10 AM and 9 PM. The late summer departure offers the chance to experience the midnight sun.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

No. Participants should be in acceptable physical shape. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people under 135 centimeters tall, or people with back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or other pre-existing medical conditions. It is also not suitable for people with vertigo, claustrophobia, or recent surgery.