Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

Bleik is one of those rare wildlife spots where the midnight sun keeps everything lit while you chase whales and seabirds in the Bleik Canyon. This is a fast, close-up kind of outing from Andenes, built around the idea that the canyon’s food chain pulls in both mammals and birds.

Two things I really like: the small group size, with a maximum of 12 guests, so you get better viewing time and the guide can actually work with you. Also, the crew takes photos during the trip, so you’re not just hoping your phone survives the cold and spray.

One thing to consider before you book: this is open-water RIB time, and if the sea turns choppy, it can be rough on your stomach. Add the requirement that you be in OK physical shape, and it helps to think seriously about motion comfort and any medical limits.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group RIB (max 12): more attention and less crowding at prime viewing moments.
• Bleik Canyon focus: deep-water feeding areas where sperm whales, plus other species, are part of the plan.
• Midnight sun tours: a 21:00 departure that leans into Bleik’s summer light for a surreal feel.
• Guide onboard with photo support: information live, plus photos you take home after.
• Warm flotation suits included: you’ll look prepared, because you’ll be in the wind and spray.
• Wildlife mix, not just whales: puffins, eagles, gannets, and sometimes seals enter the story too.

Bleik Canyon and the midnight sun: what this RIB hunt is really like

This tour is all about location and timing. Bleik sits in Vesterålen, in Nordland County, and in summer the sun stays up late, which changes the whole mood of wildlife spotting. Even before you reach the first likely sightings, you’re already in an atmosphere that feels more like a long evening stroll than a cold, rushed boat excursion.

You’ll go out on a RIB speedboat, which matters because speed and agility help you reach wildlife quickly when animals are actively feeding. You also get that “close contact” feeling in a way that’s hard to match on larger boats. When the mammals surface, you’re not stuck watching them far off. The canyon setup also gives birds a reason to show up, especially puffins around the cliffs and other seabirds circling the hunt.

Now for the practical part. You’re not booking this for a calm, leisurely cruise. You’re booking it for a guided search: the crew scans for whales and then pivots toward birds, seals, or another sign of feeding. The goal is a tight mix of whales plus seabirds, not a single-species “lottery ticket.”

Finding Bleik Marina, suiting up, and the small-group setup

The trip starts near Andenes, about a 10-minute drive to Bleik. Your meeting point is Bleik Marina, but the final turn is specific enough that I recommend you build in extra time just to avoid the “we’re here, right?” moment. The instructions point you down the beach road at Midnattsol camping, then continuing to Smia Pub. From there you turn right toward Bleik Marina, following Puffin Safari signage.

When you arrive, look for Green Gold of Norway AS signage, the Green Dragon sign. That’s where your skipper and guide meet you and get the day rolling.

Once you’re checked in, you’ll get flotation and warm suits onshore, then life jackets. One review mentioned gloves, boots, and goggles as part of the protection kit, which is a good sign that the team plans for real North Atlantic conditions, not just basic gear. Either way, bring warm clothing and plan to change out of the suit after you return.

The onboard setup is also part of why people rate this trip so highly, with an average rating of 4.7 from 326 reviews. With a maximum of 12 guests, you’re not fighting for sight lines, and the guide can keep the group together while scanning for a surface blow that might be visible for only seconds.

From canyon search to puffin cliffs: how the 3.5 hours unfold

This outing is listed as 210 minutes total, and it includes getting ready in the warm flotation suits and time for tea, coffee, and changing after. In real terms, that means you’re not just counting minutes on the water. You’re planning for the full experience: suit on, briefing, boat ride, wildlife searching, then de-suit and warm drinks.

There are two departures from Bleik Marina:

• 10:00
• 21:00

The 21:00 option is the “midnight sun” style experience, and it tends to feel extra magical because the sky stays bright while you’re out on the water. That doesn’t change the animal behavior, but it does change how the whole scene looks to your eyes, especially when birds move against the horizon.

On the water, the core plan is Bleik Canyon. The canyon is described as a deep-water feeding area where marine mammals gather for food. That’s why your boat time is about searching the surface and timing your turns as animals appear.

A few likely “chapters” you can expect:

1. Canyon scanning: the crew watches for whales and marine mammal activity on or near the surface.
2. Bird follow-up: once birds start showing up in a pattern, you usually get a second layer of wildlife sightings, like puffins and larger seabirds.
3. Seal and bird checks: harbor seals are specifically mentioned as a possibility during the hunt.
4. Time to enjoy what you’re seeing: if the crew finds a pod or a strong bird area, the run often extends your viewing time compared to a tight “pass and move on” style.

One more detail that helps set expectations: a guide stays onboard and provides information about the wildlife you encounter. They also take photos for you, so you can focus on watching and not constantly fiddling with your camera in wind and cold.

The whales you might see, plus the birds you should plan for

Whale watching works best when you think in probabilities, not guarantees. Here’s what this trip is designed around.

Whale and dolphin chances

Bleik Canyon is described as home to abundant marine wildlife, including sperm whales. You may also encounter:

• pilot whales
• orcas
• minke whales
• occasional Risso’s dolphins
• occasional fin whales

In practice, many sightings seem to cluster around pods that are actively feeding, which is why the crew’s scouting matters. When animals are hunting, the whole food chain moves, and that’s when birds often show up too.

Puffins and other seabirds

If you’re coming for puffins, this is the right region. Puffins are specifically highlighted in the tour overview, and they also show up repeatedly in trip experiences: puffin colonies and cliffs around the area can bring thousands of birds into view.

Other birds mentioned include:

• eagles
• gannets
• plus additional seabirds as the crew keeps scanning

I like this mix because it gives you something to see even if whale sightings are brief. Even on trips where whales don’t fully cooperate, seabirds can keep the excitement going.

How close it feels on a RIB

Because it’s a small RIB boat, you generally get closer than you would on larger vessels. That closeness is part of the thrill people talk about, especially around orcas and pilot whales, where the guide and skipper keep the approach respectful while still giving you solid viewing angles.

One practical note from real-world comfort: if you sit farther back, it may be harder to hear the guide clearly over wind and engine noise. If you want the commentary, try to choose a seat with good visibility and audio when boarding.

Warm suits, life jackets, and the small comforts that make the trip easier

You’ll be outside, so warm prep matters. This tour includes warm flotation suits and life jackets, and you should bring:

• warm clothing
• change of clothes
• outdoor clothing

The warm suits do a lot of the heavy lifting, and they also mean you don’t have to hunt down cold-weather gear before your trip. The suit and life jacket combination is what keeps you comfortable during spray and wind, especially once the boat speeds up to reach the next area.

Then there’s the end-of-trip warmth: tea and coffee, plus muffins, served while you change after. It sounds simple, but after a couple hours on a cool sea, it helps the whole experience feel complete. You also walk away with photos taken by the onboard guide, which can be a lifesaver if your main goal is wildlife but your hands are busy holding steady in a moving boat.

As for the guides, the experience is consistently run with a calm, professional tone. Names that come up include Christina and Norbert, plus Bekka and Katie on different trips. What matters for you is the style: safety briefing first, respect for animals, and clear information so you know what you’re actually looking at.

Price and value: is $199 per person fair for Bleik?

At $199 per person, this tour isn’t cheap, but it also isn’t just “rent a boat and go.” You’re paying for a targeted wildlife search in Bleik Canyon, guided interpretation, and the kind of small-group operation that lets the crew react quickly when animals surface.

Here’s where the value shows up for me:

• Gear included: warm flotation suits and life jackets take away a chunk of pre-trip hassle.
• Small group size: up to 12 guests means better attention and less scramble for prime spots.
• Onboard guide: you get species context while you’re out there, not just after.
• Photos included: you get a memory package without needing to nail every shot yourself.
• Midnight sun option: the 21:00 departure can add a unique atmosphere without extra cost.

If your travel priority is close wildlife viewing, guided scanning, and comfort planning in cold conditions, the price makes sense. If your priority is a quiet scenic cruise with minimal motion, you might decide to look for a different style of boat trip.

Who should book, and who should skip a speedboat day

This is a physically active, open-water experience, so I’d book it with honesty about your body and comfort level.

It’s listed as not suitable for:

• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• people with claustrophobia
• people with heart problems
• wheelchair users
• people with vertigo
• people with respiratory issues
• people under 4 ft 4 in (135 cm)
• people with pre-existing medical conditions
• people with recent surgeries

Also, all guests should be in OK physical shape.

That’s the big checklist. Beyond that, I’d think about motion comfort. The speedboat and open sea can bring chop, and one trip note described sea sickness after extended open-water time. If you’re sensitive to motion, plan accordingly and consider bringing what you normally use for nausea, since the conditions can shift.

This tour fits best for:

• wildlife lovers who want both whales and birds
• people who enjoy speedboats and don’t mind spray
• couples and small groups who want a guided, small-group format
• anyone visiting Andenes and wanting a memorable half-day-plus outing in the summer light

Should you book Bleik Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins?

If your goal is a close-up wildlife experience in Bleik Canyon, and you’re excited about the mix of whales plus puffins and seabirds, I think this is a strong booking. The combination of a small RIB group (up to 12), warm suit comfort, onboard guidance, and included photos makes it feel built for real wildlife watching, not just checking a box.

Book it especially if you can do either departure:

• the 10:00 trip for a classic daytime search
• the 21:00 trip if you want the midnight sun atmosphere

Skip it if motion comfort is a big issue for you, or if any of the health limitations apply. This is not the right choice for people who need steady, gentle travel.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you want a guided search for wild animals where conditions can change fast? If yes, this tour is exactly that kind of day.

FAQ

How long is the Bleik whale watching tour?

The total duration is listed as 210 minutes, and it includes getting ready (wearing warm flotation suits) and changing after the trip.

What time do tours depart from Bleik Marina?

Departures are at 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina.

What is included in the ticket?

The tour includes the RIB-boat excursion to Bleik Canyon, flotation or warm suits, life jackets, a guide, pictures, tea and coffee, and muffins.

Where do I meet the guides?

Meet at Bleik Marina. The directions provided include going down the beach road from Midnattsol camping to Smia Pub, turning right down to Bleik Marina, and following the Puffin Safari sign. Look for the Green Gold of Norway AS sign (Green Dragon).

What wildlife might I see?

The tour focuses on whales and marine wildlife in Bleik Canyon, with chances for sperm whales, and possible sightings of pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and occasionally Risso’s dolphins and fin whales. Puffins and other seabirds, plus harbor seals, are also part of the plan.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes.

Is the tour suitable for people with medical issues or mobility limitations?

The activity is not suitable for several groups, including people with back problems, heart problems, respiratory issues, wheelchair users, people with vertigo, and people with pre-existing medical conditions or recent surgeries. It is also listed as not suitable for pregnant women and children below 135 cm.