Guide to Andøya

Andøya is one of Norway's most spectacular islands, known for its dramatic coastal landscapes, white sandy beaches, majestic mountains, and unique nature experiences. Located in Vesterålen, north of Lofoten, it is the perfect destination for those seeking a combination of wild nature, wildlife, and northern Norwegian charm – without the large tourist crowds.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the best experiences, hidden gems, and practical travel tips for Andøya.

Why Visit Andøya?

✅ One of Norway’s best spot for whale watching
✅ One of Norway’s most beautiful coastal road – National Tourist Route Andøya
✅ Endless mountain hikes and beaches with few people
✅ Perfect spot for the Northern Lights in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer
✅ Unique experiences like, remote beaches, wildlife safaris and the world’s northernmost bog mountains.

Things to Do on Andøya

1. Experience the World’s Best Whale Watching 🐋
   Andøya is one of the best places in the world to see sperm whales up close. The whales thrive here due to the deep continental shelf off the coast.

📍 Where? Andenes
🚢 Tours with:

• Whale Safari Andenes (whalesafari.no)

• Sea Safari Andenes (seasafariandenes.no)
  ⭐ Best time: Year-round, but summer (June–September) offers the best conditions.
  In addition to whale watching, Andøya is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with Orcas and humpback whales, which happens between October and December.

1. Drive the National Tourist Route Andøya 🚗
   This 58 km long road takes you along some of Norway’s most spectacular coastal landscapes, with dramatic mountains, pristine white beaches, and the open sea right beside you.

📍 Highlights along the route:

• Bleikstranda – One of Norway’s most beautiful beaches 🏖

• Bukkekjerka – A unique mountain formation with cultural symbols, and probably the cooles toilet you have ever been to ⛪

1. Explore the Mountain Peaks – Børtind, Måtinden and Andhauet 🥾
   Andøya offers many spectacular mountain hikes, with panoramic views of the coastline and the sea.

   • Måtinden (408 m.a.s.l.) – Andøya’s most iconic hike, easy and with a fantastic view over Bleikstranda.

   • Børtind (520 m.a.s.l.) – A more challenging hike, rewarding you with stunning vistas of the surrounding islands and the open sea.

   • Andhauet (431 m.a.s.l.) – A easy and scenic hike with breathtaking views of the northern coastline and the ocean.
     ⭐ Best time: Summer and autumn for hiking, winter for snowshoeing or alpine skiing.

1. Visit Andøya Space Center 🚀
   Did you know Norway has a rocket base? Andøya Space Center is the world’s northernmost operational rocket launch site and an important part of space research. You can visit their experience center, Spaceship Aurora, where you’ll learn about the Northern Lights and outer space.

📍 Location: Andenes
🎟 More info: andoyaspace.no

Disclaimer: I have not been here and have heard mixed reviews.

1. Relax at Bleikstranda – The Maldives of Northern Norway 🏝
   Bleikstranda is a white sand beach with turquoise blue water, often compared to the Caribbean – but with a dramatic mountain backdrop!

📍 Where? Bleik, 10 min from Andenes
🐧 Tip: Head out to Bleiksøya to see one of Norway’s largest puffin colonies.

1. See the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun 🌌☀
   Andøya is a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights (September–March), especially from the coastline, where there’s little light pollution. In summer, you can experience the Midnight Sun (May–July), where the sun never set. (10 hours of sunrise/sunset)

📍 Best places for Northern Lights:

• Bleikstranda

• Andenes Lighthouse

• Stave camping
  📍 Best places for Midnight Sun:

• Måtinden, Børtind

• The northern tip of Andøya

Hidden Gems on Andøya
👉 1. Ostervika beach – A Secret Beach
A more secluded beach than Bleik, perfect for those who want to be alone in nature.

📍 Where? Located between Stave and Bleik.

👉 2. Arctic Aloha – An Underrated Surf Destination 🏄‍♂️
I haven’t tried it myself, but I’ve heard that the world’s northernmost surf camp, Arctic Aloha, has started up in Åkenes! The area around Sørmela is said to have perfect conditions for both wave surfing and kitesurfing.

📍 Where? Stave and Åkenes, southwest on Andøya.

👉 3. Dronningruta – A Fantastic Coastal Path
This hike goes between Stø and Nykesund and is not exactly on Andøya, but close and offers stunning views over the Norwegian Sea. It’s little-known, but very beautiful!

📍 Starting point: You can choose to start either in Skåltofta or at Opplandet near Nyksund.

Practical Travel Tips
🛫 How to Get to Andøya?

• Fly: Widerøe has direct flights to Andøya Airport (Andenes) from Bodø and Tromsø.

• Car: Drive E10 through Vesterålen and turn off towards Andøya.

• Ferry: Ferry from Gryllefjord (Senja) to Andenes (only in summer).

🏨 Accommodation

• Wild camping: Allowed in most places along the coast, but be considerate!

• Hotels & cabins:

  • Andenes Rorbu Hotell – Cozy rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) with sea views.

  • Bleik Sea Cabins – Luxury cabins right by the beach.

🍽 Best Places to Eat

• Andøya does not have the biggest selection of resturants but you can check out:

  • Arresten Kaffebar – A cozy café in Andenes with great coffee and cakes.

  • Skomakerstua – A charming café offering homemade treats in a cozy, traditional setting.

    Sommerkafé Marmelkroken – A seasonal café with delicious homemade food and beautiful views of Andøya’s scenic landscape.

• ´Travel Responsibly – Take Care of Andøya!
  🌿 Leave the place as beautiful (or even more beautiful) than when you arrived.
  🚯 Do not litter in nature.
  🚶‍♂️ Stick to marked trails to protect the ecosystem.
  🐋 Show respect for wildlife, especially whales and birds.

Is Andøya Worth a Visit?
Absolutely! Andøya offers the best of Northern Norway without the crowds of Lofoten. Whether you're after whale watching, epic hikes, spectacular beaches, or space research, Andøya has something for everyone.

🚀 Is this a trip you’d consider? Let me know if you need more help with planning!