The 5 Best Things to Do in Andenes, Norway

November 7, 2017 Marlin Saiz

 Andenes (help·info) is a village and former municipality in the Vesterålen district of Nordland county, Norway. The municipality encompassed the northern part of the island of Andøya in the present-day municipality of Andøy.
Restaurants in Andenes

1. Whalesafari Andenes

Hamnegata 1C, Andenes 8480, Norway
Excellent
57%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
5%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 272 reviews

Whalesafari Andenes

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) has given us the following commendation: The world's largest, most successful Arctic whale watching operation is Hvalsafari AS in Andenes. Why Whalesafari from Andenes? We have a natural advantage in Andenes since the edge of the continental shelf is closer to land than anywhere else along the coast of Norway. In the bay that constitutes this part of the shelf, a stable stock of sperm whales feeds and thus forms the basis of whale watching tours in the region of Vesteralen. It is only a one hour voyage from Andenes to the whale feeding grounds. A normal trip lasts about 2 to 4 hours (the duration depend on the distance where the whales are that day and how long it takes to find the first one). The product educational activities form the nucleus of whale safari tours in Andenes. Right from the start, our whale Safaris have involved research, learning and adventure joined together in one single, integrated unit. The idea has attracted considerable attention both in Andenes and abroad. Guarantee - The great sperm whales are found in a specially nutrient-rich area northwest of Andenes. There are no other places in Norway where the edge of the continental shelf lies so close to the shore as it does near Andenes. Experience shows that whales are spotted during 99 percent of the Safaris. Our guarantee: we´ll give you a free new trip if the boat does not find any cetacean the first time, or your money back (minus admin expenses). Scientists and Guides: the guides at the Whale Centre and on board our vessels are scientists and students from many different countries. In such a way, every excursion feels like a research project.

Reviewed By Marta K - Budapest, Hungary

During our one week roud tour at Lofoten and Andøya we decided to participate on a Whale Safari. Checking all the possibilities - according to locals - Hvalesafari AS has the most professional service - so we made reservation in advance. It was windy the day before we arrived to campsite and we tried to call the company about possible cancellation, but no information was available. So we showed up in time, still no information on departure - so we visited the guided tour to museum and the well equiped souvenir shop - but after waiting 2 hours we were informed that the tour was cancelled. We had a tidy program, so could not wait 5 more hours (as they advised) to hear if there is a later departure or not. Yes, it is clear that trip depends on weather conditions - but later we heard that there were no tours for 3 days in a row. A statistics should have been shown on their web-site about of percentage of cancelled tours. We had a refund on boat trip - reduced by the guided tour's price - but the company had profit anyway: also with the boutique sales. They are extramely smart - you must pay in advance - without knowing that you can have the tour or not. So folks, if you really want to see the whales, plan a 3-4 days stay at Andenes! I will, maybe next time. But this time I was pissed up.

2. Sea Safari Andenes

Hamnegata, Andenes, Norway +47 916 74 960
Excellent
76%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 133 reviews

Sea Safari Andenes

Humpback whales, Orca's, Spermwhales and Finnwhales are frequently close to Andenes. We went there to visit the Spermwhales in a RIB. We were so exited because of the boattrip as the whales aswell. After a 30 minute boattrip the captain found the whales and we went to them. And it was so special to see these big friendly animals in real life. There was a group of 5 Spermwhales and one of them was so curious about the boat that he came to us. We really had the chance to see the Spermwhales very well and we made great pictures! Close to the harbour we visited a group of seals who where resting on a little island. Although not as impressive as the whales they where very cute (and much bigger then I thought) We were in Andenes in March and we will come back in januari when the Humpbackwhales and the Orca's are back!!!

Reviewed By traveller446 - lincolnshire

We were given a comprehensive introductory talk about the whales and how they live, and a safety talk, then set off to get ready. After a hilarious time getting into the bulky, but very necessary suits we boarded the rib, for what looked like a smooth ride out. It was a calm day, but even so there were several quite spine jarring bumps, which we learned to anticipate and brace for. The crew know about where the whales may be and are guided by a lookout in the lighthouse back in Andenes. We saw seven whales up quite close, and there were some good photo opportunities, but because the rib is so low to the water, even a quite small swell means you cannot always see. It was an exhilarating experience, followed by a warming soup lunch, with the sea safari team being very helpful and informative.

3. Andoya Space Center. Spaceship Aurora

Bleiksveien 46, Andenes 8480, Norway +47 76 14 46 00
Excellent
52%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Andoya Space Center. Spaceship Aurora

Andoya Space Center is the only operating space center in Europe. Spaceship Aurora is the visitor- educational and activity center linked to Andøya Space Center. Mission "Solar Storm". At Spaceship Aurora you can experience a virtual trip into space, learn to know the Northern Lights, get more knowledge of the origin and effect on our planet, and how the Northern lights are reflected in Norwegian history and culture. You will take part in sientific experiments, launch virtual probes and get an impression of how the day to day life is like at a Space Center. The Spaceship offers activities for all age groups. A Mission Commander will guide you and your group thru the Aurora Mission. We can also offer fun souvenirs from our Space Shop. 3D-FILM Unraveling the Cosmos A 20 minutes 3D-film about how we humans explore space, and what we know -so far. Cool 3D effects and nice graphics. NORTHERN LIGHTS FILM AND Exhibitions. A short widescreen film about the history of the reserch of the Northern Lights and how rockets from Andoya are used in the reserch. The center offers exciting Exhibitions, experiments and films showing Aurora Borealis and Norway as a space nation.

Reviewed By Kath_Lau - Bristol, United Kingdom

The fun part is the space Mission where you get to participate in a space Mission to study Northern Light at the earth's magnetosphere. The videos that explain Northern Light were well done and it was a pleasant and educational experience. Not sure we would have gone if the whale watching boat tour had gone ahead though.

4. Experience Andoy

Merkeveien, Andenes 8480, Norway
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Experience Andoy

Reviewed By dellangelo54 - Turin, Italy

Normalmente chi và verso Andenes percorre la strada più veloce che percorre il versante orientale dell' isola di Andoya. Se si ha tempo suggerisco di preferire la strada costiera che passa ad ovest costeggiando l'Oceano. Nell' ultimo tratto vi sono splendide spiagge di sabbia bianca con altrettanto belle dune. Ottimo posto anche per vedere il sole di mezzanotte.

5. Polar Museum Andenes

Richard Withs gate 9, Andenes 8480, Norway +47 474 68 568
Excellent
15%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
44%
Poor
0%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 19 reviews

Polar Museum Andenes

Reviewed By Arctic_Lyon - Tromso, Norway

We visited the Polar Museum of Andenes in late March 2013. It was a week-end and we were in the middle of the dead season, but after calling the local tourist information center we managed to get Kjersti, the konservator of the Musuem to open the museum and give us a guided tour.
Th museum is situated in an old house from the late XIXth century and is divided in two floors. On the second floor you'll get info about the petroleum industry in Andøya and Spitsberg, the times before the arrival of man as well as a room regarding the Russian trade in North-Norway and one about the building of the Nato Air base in the Island.
On the first Floor you'll get info regarding Arctic hunting, viewed from the perspective of local hunters. There are many nice artifacts lying around and the information presented is definitely interesting.
Still, the museum is kinda tiny and could definitely be a bit more furbished. One reason for that is that the Polar Museum of Tromsø (interestingly enough, built many years after this one) has been keeping most of the local artifacts for itself. The museum also lacks signs in English and would therefore make the trip for non-scandinavian speakers a harsh one. Still, Kjersti was very nice and told us many very interesting stories, pertaining both on the local culture of Andenes and of Spitsberg so for a local history enthusiast like me, this was a great great experience that I could have rated 4, for the foreigner, it might not be as interesting without a guided tour.
Ho, and we did it in about an hour, and the little souvenir shop is also very nice (I got a cute little Russian Spitsbergen pin) and the price (50 nok per person) is reasonable.

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