A steep, cone-shaped bird rock rising from the Norwegian Sea, Bleiksøya is home to 80,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins. Ships anchor off Bleik village — one of Norway's most spectacular Arctic beaches — and tender passengers ashore for wildlife safaris unlike anything else in Europe.
Bleiksøya Island is a protected nature reserve — ships anchor off the nearby village of Bleik on Andøya and tender passengers to the small harbour.
💡 Pro move: Landing on Bleiksøya Island itself is prohibited to protect nesting birds. All puffin viewing is from the water.
There is no cruise pier — vessels anchor offshore and tender to Bleik village's small municipal harbour.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition & small ships | Bleik harbour, Andøya📍 | Tendered |
| Most cruise lines | Anchor off Bleik; tender to village pier📍 | Tendered |
Wildlife is the entire reason to be here — puffin safaris around Bleiksøya and sperm whale watching over the Bleik Canyon are bucket-list experiences.
Small boats circle the protected cone-shaped island while 80,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins wheel overhead and perch on sea-level rocks. White-tailed eagles, razorbills, cormorants, and guillemots also appear. Season: mid-April to mid-August.
Find puffin safari tours →The Bleik Canyon, a deep submarine trench roughly 10 nautical miles (~17 km) offshore, draws sperm whales year-round. Operators combine whale watching with seabird viewing on RIB or traditional vessel. Pilot whales, orcas, and humpback whales also sighted seasonally.
Find whale watching tours →One of Norway's longest white-sand beaches stretches along the village, backed by dramatic dunes — an extraordinary sight in the high Arctic. Perfect for a free, self-guided stroll with views of Bleiksøya rising from the sea.
Explore Bleik Beach →Vesterålen's signature hike (405 m) above Bleik rewards with panoramic views over Bleiksstranda beach, Bleiksøya bird island, and the surrounding archipelago. The popular route starts from the Baugtua trailhead between Stave and Bleik; the round trip takes roughly 3–4 hours.
Find hiking guides Andøya →The village and beach are the main walking options — Bleik is tiny but its surroundings are spectacular.
From the tender pier, walk through the small village to Bleiksstranda — one of Norway's most photographed beaches. Views of Bleiksøya Island directly offshore. Return via the dunes.
Climate normals for Bleiksøya Island, Vesterålen, Norway (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F / 1°C | 28°F / -2°C | 15 |
| Feb | 34°F / 1°C | 28°F / -2°C | 16 |
| Mar | 35°F / 2°C | 29°F / -2°C | 21 |
| Apr | 39°F / 4°C | 33°F / 1°C | 16 |
| May | 45°F / 7°C | 38°F / 3°C | 16 |
| Jun | 51°F / 11°C | 44°F / 7°C | 14 |
| Jul | 57°F / 14°C | 50°F / 10°C | 10 |
| Aug | 56°F / 13°C | 50°F / 10°C | 15 |
| Sep | 52°F / 11°C | 46°F / 8°C | 15 |
| Oct | 44°F / 7°C | 39°F / 4°C | 18 |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C | 35°F / 2°C | 18 |
| Dec | 36°F / 2°C | 31°F / -1°C | 18 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)