Whale Watching at Andenes

The continental shelf drops away close to Andenes into the Bleik Canyon, a submarine trench over two thousand metres deep only a few kilometres offshore, and squid gather there in numbers that draw male sperm whales, which feed at depth year-round. That proximity is why whale watching from Andenes has a high success rate: boats reach the feeding grounds within an hour, use hydrophones to locate diving whales, and wait for them to surface and blow before the characteristic fluke-up dive. Trips run from late May to September with sperm whales, and other species including humpback, minke, pilot whales and orca appear seasonally. Boats also visit Bleiksoya, the puffin islet, on some trips.

What you actually see

• The sperm whales - males surfacing and diving over the Bleik Canyon.
• The hydrophones - underwater listening used to locate the whales.
• The fluke-up dive - the tail raised as the whale descends.
• Bleiksoya - the puffin islet visited on some sailings.

When to go

Late May to September for the main sperm whale season with the best weather; winter trips further south around Skjervoy and Tromso target orca and humpback following herring, a different and colder experience.

Honest expectations

The open sea here is rough and seasickness is common, so medication before departure is sensible. Trips are cancelled in swell. Sightings are usual but not guaranteed, and operators generally offer a repeat trip rather than a refund.

Nearby

Bleik beach and the puffin islet are close; the Andoya scenic route runs south down the island.