Bleik Beach

Bleik runs about two and a half kilometres of white shell sand along the western coast of Andoya, often described as the longest white beach in northern Europe, backed by dunes and grassland with mountains behind. Offshore lies Bleiksoya, a pyramid-shaped islet holding a large puffin colony along with kittiwakes, cormorants and sea eagles; boat trips run out from Bleik harbour in summer and circle it. The same coast is a base for whale watching, with sperm whales feeding in the deep canyon just offshore from Andenes. Above the beach, the Maalvika hill and the road viewpoints give the standard photograph of the whole curve of sand with the islet beyond.

What you actually see

• The white sand - two and a half kilometres of shell beach.
• Bleiksoya - a pyramid islet with a large puffin colony offshore.
• The bird boats - summer trips around the islet from Bleik harbour.
• The clifftop views - viewpoints above the road showing the whole bay.

When to go

June to August for puffins, boat trips and the midnight sun; the birds leave in August. Whale watching from Andenes runs late May to September. The beach is exposed and windswept year-round.

Honest expectations

The water is Arctic and swimming is a brief dare. Wind here is constant and can be severe. Puffin numbers on Bleiksoya have declined, and boat trips are cancelled in swell. There are few facilities at the beach itself.

Nearby

Andenes and its whale-watching harbour lie north; the Andoya space centre and Vesteralen roads run south.