Vesterålen (Andenes)
An archipelago north of Lofoten where sperm whales can be seen year-round in the offshore canyon off Andenes, with white beaches, fishing villages and northern lights that are quieter than in Lofoten.
The Vesterålen archipelago lies in northern Nordland county, Norway, just north of the Lofoten Islands, and is made up of islands such as Andøya, Langøya and western Hinnøya. At around 69°N, it sees fewer visitors and feels wilder than Lofoten. The small town of Andenes at the northern tip is one of the most reliable whale-watching spots in the world: an underwater canyon on the continental shelf lies just a dozen or so kilometres offshore, male sperm whales feed here year-round, humpback and pilot whales appear in summer, and orcas can be seen in winter. On the west coast of Andøya, the National Tourist Route links the white sands of Bleik, the puffin island of Bleiksøya, Måtind peak and seaside hot tubs; in northwest Langøya, Stø and Nyksund are known for seal safaris and the Dronningruta (Queen's Route) hike; Sortland in the centre and Stokmarknes in the south are transport hubs and Hurtigruten ports of call. Seasons: the midnight sun shines from late May to mid-July, and puffins breed on the islands from mid-May to mid-August; September–March is northern lights season, and from late November to mid-January polar night leaves only a brief blue twilight during the day. Getting there: Andenes has an airport (connecting via Bodø or Tromsø), and Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes is about 2 hours' drive southeast of the islands; in summer there is also a ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord on Senja. Public transport on the islands is sparse, so renting a car is strongly recommended; in winter you need winter tyres and should watch road conditions. Plan on 3–4 days: one day for whale watching and the lighthouse, one day for the west-coast road and puffins, and one day for Stø and Nyksund. Norway is expensive, and whale-watching and puffin boats should be booked in advance; The Whale, a whale museum under construction, is scheduled to open in 2027.
Top sights
- Andenes Whale Safari – Just a dozen or so kilometres offshore from Andenes, where the continental shelf drops into a canyon, male sperm whales feed year-round, so…
- Bleik Beach – One of the longest white-sand beaches in northern Norway, about 3 km of fine sand facing Bleiksøya island. It is excellent for the midnight…
- Bleiksøya Puffin Safari – A pyramid-shaped small island off Bleik Beach, home to some 80,000 pairs of puffins in summer. You can see them up close by boat, and white…
- Andenes Lighthouse – A 40-meter red cast-iron lighthouse completed in 1859, the landmark of Andenes town. In summer, visitors can climb it for views over the se…
- Spaceship Aurora (Andøya Space) – The visitor center at the Andøya rocket launch site, known for immersive "space missions" and aurora science exhibits. It's well suited to…
- Måtind Hike – The most popular short hike on Andøya, a round trip of about 3 hours. From the summit you can see both the open sea and a white sand beach.
- Stave Hot Pools – Wooden hot tubs by the sea at the Stave campsite. Soak in warm water while watching the waves, the midnight sun, or the aurora.
- Stø & Seal Safari – A small fishing village at the northern tip of Langøya, the starting point for seal-watching and seabird tours. In summer, whale-watching r…
- Dronningruta (Queen's Route) – A loop hike of about 15 km between Stø and Nyksund, covering mountain and coastal sections. It is named after the Norwegian queen who walke…
- Nyksund – A former fishing village that was abandoned and later revived by artists and entrepreneurs. Wooden harbor houses are reflected in the narro…
- Sortland (The Blue Town) – The central town of the Vesterålen islands, with many buildings painted blue. It is a hub for supplies, accommodation, and Hurtigruten ship…
- Hurtigruten Museum, Stokmarknes – The birthplace of the Hurtigruten coastal express, with a retired ship, the MS Finnmarken, on display beside the museum that visitors can g…
- Bukkekjerka Rest Area – A designed rest area with a seaside viewpoint along the National Tourist Route on Andøya. Rocky shores, observation platforms, and fire pit…
Where to eat
- Arresten Restaurant (Former Jail) – A restaurant in a converted old jail in Andenes' old town, serving northern Norwegian dishes made with local seasonal i…
- Lysthuset & Sørvesten – A long-running restaurant whose owner has worked in the trade for over 40 years; half snack bar, half maritime-style re…
Itineraries
- Tromsø to Lofoten Islands – A summer island-hopping route from north to south, featuring Senja, whale watching in Andenes, and ending in Reine, Lof…