Andøy
Municipality · Nordland
About Andøy
Sperm-whale safaris from Andenes, puffins on Bleiksøya off the long white beach at Bleik, and rocket science at the Andøya Space visitor centre.
What to do and where to stay in Andøy
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Spaceship Aurora at Andøya SpaceSight
At the Andøya Space rocket range, a Mission Commander leads you through a virtual science mission about the northern lights and solar storms, plus films and exhibitions.
Bleiksveien 46, Andenes · 1.5–2 h · May–September daily (2025: 11–15, 15 Jun–15 Aug 11–18); groups only in winter
2Andenes Lighthouse (and Andøy Museum)History & culture
A 40 m lighthouse first lit in 1859, one of Norway's tallest; next door Andøy Museum has exhibitions on trapper Hilmar Nøis and Andøya's geology.
Richard Withs gate 9, Andenes · 1–1.5 h · exterior all year; tower climbs in summer (hours unconfirmed)
3Bleik beach (Bleikstranda)Swim
A white-sand beach about 2.5 km long, one of Norway's longest, facing the cone of Bleiksøya with one of the country's largest puffin colonies, 10 km from Andenes.
Bleik village, northwest Andøya · 30 min–2 h · all-year; swimming July–August (cold water)
4Kleivodden rest areaViewpoint
A sheltered National Tourist Route rest stop under steep slopes north of Bleik, looking across the Arctic Ocean to the village and the Bleiksøya bird cliffs.
Fv976 between Andenes and Bleik · 15–20 min · summer (closed for winter)
5Måtind (408 m)Hike
From Baugtua between Stave and Bleik, a 3.8 km path climbs to the highest point on the coast, where cliffs drop to the sea above Høyvika beach and Bleiksøya.
Baugtua car park, Fv976 between Stave and Bleik · 2.5–3 h (7.6–8.6 km return, about 500 m up) · June–September
6Høyvika beach loop from StaveHike
A 5.4 km loop from the end of the road at Stave over a rocky saddle down to the hidden Høyvika beach, returning over the mountain; steep in places.
End of the road through Stave village · 2–2.5 h (5.4 km loop, 470 m up) · June–September, dry weather only
7Røyken above BleikHike
A signposted trail from Bjørndalen between Andenes and Bleik climbs to a summit hut and antenna, with a near-vertical drop to Bleik beach far below.
Bjørndalen parking, between Andenes and Bleik · 1.5–2 h · June–October
8Dverberg ChurchHistory & culture
An octagonal log church by C.H. Grosch, finished in 1843, whose bell turret was added after the rector argued that fishermen needed it as a landmark.
Dverberg, east side of Andøya · 20 min · all-year exterior; interior at services
9Arresten restaurantFood & drink
A restaurant in the old jail in old Andenes, with a cell door about 150 years old and barred cast-iron windows, serving small dishes and three-course dinners.
Prinsens gate 6, old Andenes · 1–2 h · all-year (check hours)
10Bleiksmorenen nature reserve loopNature
An easy 4.8 km loop over a protected moraine south of Bleik, a hummocky field of boulders and gravel left by ice that may be close to 20,000 years old.
Main road just south of Bleik, northwest Andøya · 1.5 h (4.8 km loop, 150 m up) · April–October
Book something local
boat / whale watching
A 3.5–4 hour trip from Andenes on the large traditional boat M/S Reine into waters where ten whale species feed through the year; the ticket includes the whale exhibition.
Whale2Sea Whalesafari (whalesafari.no) · Hamnegata 1C, Andenes harbour
boat / birdwatching
A 1.5 hour summer boat trip from Andenes to Bleiksøya, the bird rock off Bleik with one of Norway's largest puffin colonies and sea eagles.
Whale2Sea Whalesafari · Andenes harbour (dep. 09:00)