Discover Andenes: Whale Watching and Exhibitions

In Andenes, you can combine whale-watching tours with visits to two museums. The Whale Exhibition is dedicated to marine mammals and whale research; the Andøy Museum presents an exhibition about the lives of hunters and provides information about the geology of the island of Andøya. If you are considering staying in Andenes, you can include the exhibition topics in your travel plans as well as the tours.

Whale-watching tours from Andenes

Whale-watching tours are offered from Andenes year-round. On the tours, you can choose between a large traditional boat and an RIB boat. Departure times, season details and boat options may change, so check the provider’s latest information before booking.

You can visit the Whale Exhibition independently or as part of a guided tour. The whale-watching tour ticket includes a self-guided visit to the exhibition as well as access to evening talks during the peak season. This makes it possible to coordinate your tour plans with the exhibition offerings that interest you.

Insights at the Whale Exhibition

The rooms focus on different topics. The Skeleton Hall displays complete skeletons from three different species of marine mammals. The Whale Fact Room presents whale species through artefacts, facts and photographs, and offers insights into ongoing local whale research. The Map & Briefing Room explains Andenes’ unique geography and why the area is a global hotspot for marine life. The exhibition therefore ranges from actual specimens to research and the geographical context of marine life.

The Whale Center has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. This information may be useful when planning your visit to the exhibition.

Andøy Museum in Andenes

The Andøy Museum in Andenes presents an exhibition about the lives of hunters. It also provides information about the unique geology of the island of Andøya. Its content complements the Whale Exhibition: while that exhibition focuses on marine mammals, whale species and ongoing local whale research, the Andøy Museum covers the lives of hunters and the island’s geology. This makes it easy to distinguish between the two exhibition topics and decide which interests you most.

Andøy as part of a wider travel plan

The wider context of Andøy may also be relevant when planning your trip. Andenes Lighthouse can be visited as part of a guided tour up the stairs; the tour includes an exhibition, historical content and views from the top. Check the latest options for guided tours before your trip.

For cycling trips, the Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya is another option to consider: it is part of National Cycle Route 1 and also follows EuroVelo 1, the “Atlantic Coast Route”. Weather and road conditions affect cycling conditions, so take them into account when planning.

In summer, there is a daily ferry connection between Andenes and Gryllefjord on Senja. Timetables may change, so check the current service before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Risøyhamn, Andøy, Nøss, Fiskenes, Dverberg.

Back to the main travel overview: Andøy.