Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

A pod of orcas beside a small RIB is the image that draws many people to Bleik, and this trip gives you a real chance at that kind of encounter. The boat heads into Bleik Canyon, a deep-water area where sperm whales, pilot whales, minke whales, dolphins, seabirds, and seals gather for food.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the chance to see wildlife from a nimble boat rather than a large vessel. I also like that the guides take photos, explain what you are seeing, and include warm flotation suits, hot drinks, and muffins. The main drawback is simple: wild animals set the schedule. You may spend a long stretch on open water without seeing whales, and rough seas can make some people seasick.

Key points to know before you book

• Bleik Canyon is the main wildlife area: The boat searches deep water for sperm whales, orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, and dolphins.
• A maximum of 12 people keeps the boat personal: You get a better view than on a large whale-watching vessel, though the back seats may have trouble hearing the guide.
• Puffins are part of the plan: A puffin colony, sea eagles, seals, and other birds may round out the trip even if whales stay away.
• The 9 PM departure uses the midnight sun: Summer light can make the late tour especially beautiful, with bright skies well into the night.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive flotation or survival suits, life jackets, and other protective equipment, but bring warm layers and a change of clothes.
• The price reflects a small, specialist outing: At $199 per person, this is expensive, but the long trip, small boat, guide, gear, and photos add real value.

Into Bleik Canyon by RIB

Bleik sits on Andøya in Vesterålen, about a 10-minute drive from Andenes. The meeting point is at Bleik Marina, reached by following the beach road by Midnattsol Camping toward Smia Pub, then following the Puffin Safari signs down to the marina.

The boat is a RIB, or rigid inflatable boat. It is built for speed and open-water travel, so the ride itself is part of the fun. You sit close to the water, feel the boat respond to the waves, and move quickly between wildlife areas.

That closeness has two sides. A small RIB lets you turn quickly and gives you a clear view when an animal surfaces. It also exposes you more to wind, spray, and wave movement than a larger covered boat would. The crew provides warm flotation suits, life jackets, and protective gear, but you still need proper outdoor clothing underneath.

The full outing lasts 210 minutes, or about three and a half hours. That total includes getting dressed before departure and warm tea, coffee, and muffins while you change after returning. The time on the water is therefore somewhat shorter than the headline duration, but it is still a substantial wildlife trip.

What you may see at the canyon

Bleik Canyon is the reason this excursion works. It is a deep-water area close to shore, and the depth brings food for whales into the region. Sperm whales are the main prize, but they are not the only possibility.

You might see pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, Risso’s dolphins, fin whales, or other dolphins. The exact mix changes from day to day. One trip may produce a group of pilot whales with young animals. Another may find several sperm whales farther out. On especially lucky outings, orcas can remain near the boat for a long time.

The best encounters are not guaranteed, and the distance varies. Sperm whales may surface well away from the RIB, giving you a brief look before they disappear again. That can be exciting, but it is not the same as having a curious pod near the boat.

You should also expect pauses. The skipper may stop the boat while everyone watches the water for a blow, fin, or change in movement. One outing involved about an hour waiting and watching sperm whales in open water. That patience paid off with sightings, but several people became seasick during the still period.

If you are comfortable with that uncertainty, the waiting becomes part of the experience. You are not watching a staged animal display. You are searching a broad patch of sea and responding to whatever appears.

Puffins, eagles, and the bird-watching stop

Puffins give the trip a second focus. The boat usually includes time near a puffin colony, where large numbers of birds gather around the cliffs and water. On good days, you may see thousands of puffins moving between the sea and the colony.

Puffins are quick and small, so do not expect every bird to pose neatly beside the boat. You may see them flying low, sitting on the water, or flashing past the cliffs. Their bright bills and busy flight make them easy to enjoy even when the whales keep their distance.

Sea eagles add another welcome surprise. They may appear near the coast or higher in the sky, and sightings can be fairly distant. Other birds may include gannets and additional seabirds attracted by the same fish that bring whales to Bleik Canyon.

The trip also keeps watch for harbor seals. These may be seen near the shore or around the bird-watching areas. The mix of birds and marine mammals matters because it gives you something worthwhile to see during a whale-free stretch.

I like this two-part structure. The canyon offers the larger animals, while the puffin stop brings you closer to the character of the coast. If your main goal is puffins, this trip may satisfy you even without a whale sighting. If sperm whales are your only goal, the uncertainty is greater.

The guides and the small-boat setup

Your skipper and guide meet you at the marina beside the Green Gold of Norway sign, also described locally by the Green Dragon name. The listed guiding language is English.

Several guides have led these outings, including Christina, Norbert, Bekka, and Katie. The guide explains the species you encounter and takes photos during the trip, giving you both natural-history context and a record of the day.

The small group is one of the best features. With no more than 12 people, you are not looking over rows of heads or competing with a large crowd at the rail. The RIB also lets the skipper position the boat quickly when wildlife appears.

There is one practical weakness. One person noted that it was hard to hear the guide from the back of the RIB. If clear commentary matters to you, try to sit where you can see and hear the guide. The boat is fast and steady, but the ride is not a quiet classroom.

The guides also appear to take animal welfare seriously. The boat approaches carefully, and the crew explains animal behavior rather than treating the whales as props. That matters to me. A close encounter is memorable, but it should not come at the cost of harassing wildlife.

Choosing between the 10 AM and 9 PM departures

The tour runs from Bleik Marina at 10:00 and 21:00. Both times offer the same basic outing, but the late departure has a special advantage in summer: the sun does not set.

The 9 PM trip can place you on the water in warm Arctic light, with the horizon still bright late at night. The midnight sun can give the sea and cliffs a golden look, and it makes the experience feel very different from a standard daytime boat ride.

Late light is not a guarantee of calm water or better whale sightings. Wildlife remains unpredictable, and weather can change. Still, I would choose the evening departure if you want the most distinctive atmosphere and can handle being out late.

The morning departure may suit you better if you have a full day of driving or other plans afterward. It also offers a practical choice for families and anyone who prefers to be active earlier. Check the available time when booking, since departure options can depend on the date.

Warm suits, sea conditions, and comfort

The operator supplies warm flotation suits and life jackets. Some outings have also provided gloves, boots, and goggles as part of the protective kit. You should still bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes.

That last item is worth taking seriously. Even in summer, the boat moves through cold air over open water. Spray and wind can make the ride feel much colder than the temperature at the marina.

Sea conditions vary. Calm water can make the RIB feel fast, stable, and highly enjoyable. Big waves can make the ride rough, and one outing included strong wave movement without a whale sighting. The skipper’s skill helps, but it cannot remove the motion of the sea.

This trip is not suitable for pregnant people, people with back, heart, respiratory, mobility, or vertigo problems, wheelchair users, people with claustrophobia, anyone under 135 centimeters, or anyone with a recent surgery or other pre-existing condition that makes a rough open-water ride unsafe.

You should be in reasonably good physical shape. Getting into the protective suit, boarding the boat, sitting through a fast ride, and handling the motion all require some physical ability.

What the $199 price really buys

At $199 per person, this is not a casual harbor cruise. You are paying for about three and a half hours of activity, a specialist RIB, a maximum of 12 people, protective clothing, a guide, photos, and tea, coffee, and muffins afterward.

The value depends on what you want. For a guaranteed animal show, the price would be hard to defend because no whale sighting is promised. For a small-group wildlife search in a productive area, it is more reasonable. A lucky trip can include orcas, minke whales, pilot whales, puffins, and sea eagles, all in one outing.

The photos also add practical value. You can concentrate on watching instead of trying to photograph every surface and wingbeat yourself. The images will not replace the experience, but they help preserve a trip that may include several species.

I would compare this price with the cost of a larger whale-watching boat only if you care mainly about comfort. The RIB gives you a closer, faster, more active ride. A larger boat would likely feel less exposed, but that is not what this excursion is selling.

How to get the most from the outing

Arrive ready for the weather, not just the calendar. Wear warm layers and outdoor clothing, and pack a dry change of clothes. The provided suit is important, but it works best over sensible clothing rather than light summer clothes.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. The boat can move quickly, but parts of the tour require sitting or standing in one place while the crew watches for whales. Open water and rough conditions can be difficult even for otherwise fit people.

Bring patience. You may see whales quickly, or you may spend a long time scanning the water. Try not to judge the trip only by the largest animal. Puffins, eagles, seals, dolphins, and the canyon itself can make the outing worthwhile.

The rear seats may be harder for hearing the guide, so choose your place with that in mind. Keep your eyes moving, too. A whale can surface on one side while a bird colony or eagle is visible on the other.

The crew takes photos, but I would still bring a camera or phone if it can be protected from spray. Do not let photography take over. The best moments, especially with orcas or pilot whales, may last only seconds.

Who should book this Bleik wildlife trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want an active wildlife outing rather than a gentle sightseeing cruise. It suits couples, small groups, and nature lovers who enjoy uncertain conditions and are happy to search for animals in their natural setting.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying in Andenes or exploring Vesterålen by car. Bleik is only about 10 minutes from Andenes, so the marina is easy to add to an Andøya itinerary.

Puffin lovers should give it serious thought. The bird colony can be the high point, especially when the whale search is quiet. The midnight sun also makes this a memorable choice for a summer evening.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed sightings, dislike cold wind, or suffer badly from motion sickness. I would also choose another activity if your mobility or medical needs make a small open RIB unsafe.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a close, fast, small-group search for Arctic wildlife and you accept that nature may not follow a script. The strongest reasons are the limited group size, the productive Bleik Canyon, the puffin colony, the supplied protective gear, and the chance of seeing orcas or sperm whales beneath the midnight sun.

At $199, it is a serious purchase. I think it is fair value for a well-equipped three-and-a-half-hour outing with a guide, photos, and several types of wildlife, but only if you are comfortable with the possibility of a whale-free trip.

Choose the 9 PM departure for the most unusual summer light. Choose 10 AM if you prefer a straightforward daytime start. Either way, bring warm clothes, patience, and a change of clothes, then let the sea decide what you see.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart?

The tour departs from Bleik Marina in Bleik, Nordland County. Drive down the beach road by Midnattsol Camping, continue to Smia Pub, turn toward Bleik Marina, and follow the Puffin Safari sign.

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 three and a half hours. This includes putting on warm flotation suits before departure and having tea, coffee, and muffins while changing after the trip.

What departure times are available?

The stated departure times are 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina.

How many people can join the RIB boat?

The excursion has a maximum of 12 guests.

What animals might I see?

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

Is whale sighting guaranteed?

No. The tour offers high chances to see whales, puffins, and other wildlife, but sightings depend on natural conditions and animal movements.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the RIB excursion to Bleik Canyon, warm flotation suits, life jackets, a guide, photos, tea, coffee, and muffins.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes. You should also be in reasonably good physical shape for the boat ride and equipment.