Encounters with whales, views of the northern lights and picnics beneath the midnight sun await in this northerly region of the stunning Vesterålen archipelago.
Visit Andoy to see a region blessed with a beautiful landscape of beaches, lakes, meadows and mountains. It is a place where you can enjoy wildlife watching, exciting outdoor adventures and witness some of the most spellbinding natural phenomenon on the planet.
Andoy encompasses several islands in Norway’s Vesterålen archipelago, including Andøya and parts of Hinnøya. Whatever the season, it is a magnet for lovers of the outdoors.
Stretching along a section of the region’s western coastline is the 36-mile (58-kilometre) long Andøya National Tourist Route. It links the villages of AndenesOpens in a new window and Bjørnskiin and lends itself to scenic drives and bike rides.
In summer, go hiking in the peaks of Ramnan and Måtind. Fish for salmon, trout and cod in the fjords, lakes, rivers and at sea. Traverse woodland trails on a mountain bike. Experience the Midnight Sun, a period of 24-hour daylight between mid-May and mid-July. Have a midnight and sunlit barbecue or picnic at beaches such as Bleik BeachOpens in a new window. It is flanked by the fishing hamlet of Bleik from where you can book puffin-spotting trips to Bleiksøya Island.
During the winter, try cross-country skiing and snow trekking at Åse and go dogsledding across snow-covered meadows. Be dazzled as the northern lights illuminate the sky with a kaleidoscope of streaking lights. The best time to see this spectacle is from September to March.
Join a whale watching boat excursion for the chance to spot numerous whale species, including sperm whales, pilot whales and minke whales. The Whale CentreOpens in a new window in Andenes is one of Andoy’s key departure points for whale safaris and it also has a whale museum. While in Andenes, visit the Polar Museum and Andøya Space Centre. Here, you can learn about Norway’s space missions.
Reach Andoy by flying to Andøya Airport from a handful of airports on the Norwegian mainland, including those at TromsøOpens in a new window and Bodø. You can also arrive by bus from LeknesOpens in a new window, SortlandOpens in a new window and Tromsø, and there are ferry connections to the region. Get around its scenic and cultural treasures via buses or travel along the quiet roads by rented bike or car.
