Planning Your Trip
Stø (Vesterålen) – Summer Whale Safari
Season: June to August
About Stø
Located at 68° North, just 200 km above the Arctic Circle, Stø is a small traditional fishing village in Øksnes municipality, Nordland. With around 200 residents, it offers raw coastal beauty and an authentic Arctic experience.
In summer, Stø comes alive with the Greenland halibut season, active marine life, and seabird colonies. The nearby Anda Lighthouse hosts one of Northern Norway’s largest puffin populations. Hiking Dronningruta, a coastal trail with mountain and ocean views, is a popular addition to your stay.
🛒 Note: The nearest grocery stores are in Myre (approx. 15 minutes by car).
Getting to Stø
✈️ Fly to Stokmarknes (SKN) or Evenes (EVE)
🚗 Approx. 1 hr 15 min from Sortland, 3.5 hrs from Evenes
🛳️ Ferry connections from Lofoten to Melbu or Stokmarknes
🚌 Bus schedules: reisnordland.no
📍 Google Maps: Stø Harbour
Where to Stay
Stø Bobilcamp og Rom – Affordable cabins and camper parking
Myre Kysthotell – Full-service hotel in nearby Myre
Oppmyre Camping – Affordable cabins and camper parking (18 km)
Airbnb – Stø
Where to Eat & Shop
🍴 Ekspedisjonen Restaurant (Myre) – Fish dishes, pizza, and Arctic ambiance (34 km)
🛒 Coop Extra Myre – Groceries and basic supplies (15 km)
🛍️ Local crafts and seasonal produce stands (available in summer near the harbor)
Passenger Preparedness
🌦️Weather forecast: Yr.no – Stø
🎒 Suggested packing:
- Wind/waterproof jacket and pants
- Warm socks, gloves, wool hat
- Hiking shoes or rubber boots
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Camera/binoculars (optional)
- Motion sickness tablets (optional)
⏰ Check-in time: 1 hour before departure at Stø Harbor
👥 Minimum passengers: 20
⚠️Weather and wildlife are unpredictable—dress in layers and allow schedule flexibility.
Andenes (Vesterålen) – Summer Whale Safari
Season: May to September
About Andenes
Located at 69° North on the northern tip of Andøya, Andenes is a historic fishing village and the birthplace of whale watching in Norway. In 1988, the discovery of sperm whales just 12 km offshore sparked scientific and tourism interest.
Its location next to the Bleik Canyon, a deep nutrient-rich trench, makes it one of the best whale watching sites in Europe—with high chances of encounters throughout the summer season.
Getting to Andenes
✈️ Closest airport: Andøya Airport (ANX) – 5 minutes from town
✈️ Or fly to Harstad/Narvik (EVE) or Tromsø (TOS) and drive 3.5–5 hrs
🚗 Car rental highly recommended
🚌 Bus info: reisnordland.no
📍 Google Maps: Andenes Harbour
Where to Stay (Local Partner Highlights)
🏕️ Midnattsol Camping – Affordable cabins, rooms, and a sauna by the sea
♨️ Stave Camping & Hot Pools – Arctic hot pools, cabins, and camping
🏡 Cozy House – Airbnb – Private home hosted by Margrethe
🏙️ Andenes Sentrum Apartment – Airbnb – Centrally located apartment hosted by June
🌊 Risøyhamn Sjøhus – Waterfront cabins and Camper van camping in Risøyhamn (1 hr south of Andenes)
Where to Eat & Shop
🍴 Arresten Restaurant – A former jail that offers varied menu and a pleasant atmosphere
🐟 Lysthuset – Arctic seafood, burgers and cozy atmosphere
☕ Joker Bleik Café – Small café inside the Joker store in Bleik (15 km)
👟 Sports- og Motehuset – Local outlet for outdoor gear and apparel
🛒 Grocery: Bunnpris Storgata and Coop Prix (walking distance from the harbor)
Passenger Preparedness
🌦️Weather forecast: Yr.no – Andenes
🎒 Suggested packing:
- Wind/waterproof jacket and pants
- Warm socks, gloves, wool hat
- Hiking shoes or rubber boots
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Camera/binoculars (optional)
- Motion sickness tablets (optional)
⏰ Check-in time: 1 hour before departure at Andenes Harbor
👥 Minimum passengers: 15
⚠️ Be prepared for rapid weather shifts and sea breeze exposure. Allow schedule flexibility.
Tromsø (Arctic Capital) – Winter Whale Safari
Season: November to January
About Tromsø
From November to January, Tromsø becomes a world-class base for winter whale safaris. Large pods of humpback whales and orcas gather in the nearby fjords to feed on herring.
Tromsø is a vibrant Arctic city, ideal for combining whale watching with Northern Lights tours, dog sledding, Arctic cuisine, and Sámi culture.
Getting to Tromsø
✈️ Direct flights to Tromsø Airport (TOS) from Oslo, London, Frankfurt, and more
🚖 10-minute taxi or airport bus to downtown
🚌 Public transport and airport bus: svipper.no
🚌 Airport shuttle: Flybussen Tromsø
📍 Google Maps: Tromsø Harbour
Where to Stay
🏨 Scandic Ishavshotel – Spectacular harbor views, near departure point
🏨 Clarion Hotel The Edge – Modern and centrally located
🏨 Radisson Blu Tromsø – High-end, near departure point
🏠 Airbnb – Tromsø
Where to Eat & Shop
🧑🍳 Mathallen Tromsø – Arctic fine dining with locally sourced ingredients
🍲 Full Steam Tromsø – Historic seafood restaurant and cultural exhibit
🧤 Norrøna Concept Store – Premium outdoor gear for Arctic conditions
🛒 Grocery stores: KIWI Fredrik Langesgate, 7-eleven, and Extra Grønnegata
Passenger Preparedness
🌦️Weather forecast: Yr.no – Tromsø
🎒 Suggested packing:
- Insulated winter jacket and pants
- Wool base layers, scarf, hat, gloves
- Waterproof winter boots, thermal socks
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera with night/low-light settings
- Motion sickness tablets (optional)
⏰ Check-in time: 1 hour before departure at Tromsø Harbor
👥 Minimum passengers: 20
⚠️ Expect Arctic cold and polar night—dress accordingly and bring hand warmers.
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