REVIEW · BLEIK
Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Green Gold of Norway AS · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Whales and puffins, under the midnight sun. This Bleik RIB trip runs through the wildlife-rich Bleik Canyon area near Andenes and Vesterålen, where summer daylight lasts and the bird action can be fast.
I like the max 12 guests setup on a RIB, which keeps your viewing close and your boat time feeling like a real safari. I also love that you get warm flotation suits and an onboard guide who explains species and takes pictures for you after the trip.
The main thing to consider is motion: on at least one outing, open-sea time led to sea sickness for some people, so if you’re sensitive to boat movement you’ll want to plan ahead. This trip also asks for decent physical readiness, since it’s not a fit for many medical conditions.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- Why Bleik Canyon makes this whale watch feel different
- The RIB ride setup: warmth, safety, and small-group viewing
- What you’re looking for in Bleik Canyon: whales, puffins, and the bird buffet
- How the 10:00 vs 21:00 departure changes the experience
- The guide onboard: spotting skills plus photo memories
- Included food, gear, and timing: what happens before and after
- Price and value: what $199 is really paying for
- Who should book this Bleik whale and puffin safari
- Practical tips: how to get the most out of your boat time
- Should you book Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- What time does the tour depart?
- How many people are on the boat?
- What wildlife might I see in Bleik Canyon?
- Is the guide included, and is English available?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I bring?
- Who is this tour not suitable for?
- Can I cancel or delay payment?
Quick hits before you go
- Bleik Canyon is the target area for whales, dolphins, and lots of seabirds
- Two departure times from Bleik Marina: 10:00 and 21:00
- Small-group RIB ride (max 12) means more time looking, less time waiting
- Warm flotation gear + life jackets included, so you can focus on spotting wildlife
- Guide + photo service so you leave with memories, not just shaky phone footage
- Chances are high for orcas, puffins, and more depending on what’s feeding that day
Why Bleik Canyon makes this whale watch feel different
Bleik sits in Norway’s northern “wildlife belt,” in Vesterålen, where the food chain is strong and the animals keep moving. Instead of cruising in one generic spot, this tour aims for the surface edge of a deep-water canyon, where whales come up to feed and where birds pile in when the fish show up.
The big bonus here is timing. In summer, you get long daylight, and the tour’s 21:00 option leans into that midnight-sun glow. In feedback, the evening trips were often described as almost unreal in the light—golden, calm, and perfect for slow cruising while seabirds work the cliffs.
What you’re really buying is the overlap of three things:
- whales using the canyon area
- seabirds responding to fish concentrations
- a guide who keeps your eyes sharp and your expectations realistic (not every sighting is guaranteed, but the area is the right kind of place)
If you want a wildlife outing that feels active and outdoorsy, this fits. If you want guaranteed animals no matter the day, no boat tour can promise that. But the whole setup here is built to maximize the odds.
The RIB ride setup: warmth, safety, and small-group viewing
This is a 3.5-hour excursion in a RIB boat, with a maximum of 12 guests. That small group size matters more than it sounds. With fewer people, you typically get a better chance of consistent viewing when the guide calls out a sighting, and there’s less crowding around the best angles.
You also get outfitted onshore with warm flotation suits and life jackets. That’s not just comfort; it’s practical northern Norway thinking. When you’re moving fast over cold water, warmth and buoyancy reduce the “I can’t feel my hands” problem quickly.
Some participants noted the protection kit feeling complete—warm gear plus items like boots and goggles—so you’re not stuck trying to improvise with random layers. Either way, plan to dress like it’s windy and wet even if it looks calm from the harbor.
One more practical detail: this is a fast ride. In the feedback, the boat was described as fun and steady, with the skipper handling speed and turns well. Still, the same speed and motion can be a challenge if you’re prone to seasickness. One group reported getting sick after spending about 1.5 hours in open water, which is a good reminder: if you’re sensitive, you’ll want to take it seriously.
What you’re looking for in Bleik Canyon: whales, puffins, and the bird buffet
This tour is built around a simple idea: when prey fish rise or concentrate, everything else shows up. The canyon attracts marine mammals like sperm whales, and you may also see pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and occasionally Risso’s dolphins or fin whales.
On top of the mammals, you’re watching birds closely. The tour description names puffins as a key target, and it also points to species like eagles and gannets. When whales are feeding, you often get seabirds working the same area because they’re chasing the same food. That’s why puffin sightings can be so intense here—thousands have been reported in the broader area, and cliff activity can be nonstop when conditions line up.
Seals are another possibility. Harbor seals are specifically mentioned as something you might encounter while you’re scanning the water and edges of the canyon.
A useful way to think about your wildlife odds:
- Whales: likely when the canyon is productive for deep-feeding species
- Puffins and other birds: likely when fish activity pulls birds in and keeps them diving
- Close-up moments: can happen because RIB viewing is more hands-on than large-ship whale watching
And yes, close encounters are a big part of the appeal. Multiple sightings in feedback included orcas near the boat for long stretches. That’s exactly the kind of “this is why we came” moment that makes small boats worth it.
How the 10:00 vs 21:00 departure changes the experience
You get two options from Bleik Marina: 10:00 and 21:00. The core itinerary is the same idea—go out, scan Bleik Canyon, watch for whales and seabirds—but the vibe changes.
The 21:00 departure is the midnight-sun play. In feedback, the evening trips were described as surreal in the golden light, and calm seas made the whole cruise feel smoother and slower. You also tend to get a different bird mood at that time; if puffin activity lines up with the whale zone, you can get that mix of mammals and birds in one continuous outing.
The 10:00 departure is more of a classic “morning to afternoon” hunt. You’ll still be in full summer light, but you may feel more like you’re on a straightforward wildlife expedition rather than a dreamlike nighttime-style safari.
Either way, keep a flexible mindset. Wildlife timing is the real schedule. If the canyon is hot with activity, the boat typically follows that. If it’s slower, you’ll still get time searching, and the guide’s job becomes reading the water and calling where to look next.
The guide onboard: spotting skills plus photo memories
This isn’t a silent boat ride. A guide is onboard to give you information about wildlife you encounter and to help you understand what you’re seeing in the moment.
You also get pictures included. The guide takes them during the trip so you can take home those moments without scrambling for the perfect shot while you’re bouncing around on a RIB. That matters on this kind of outing. When an orca pod slides by or puffins suddenly stack on the cliff edge, your hands are busy and your attention should stay on spotting—not on fixing camera settings.
In the feedback, guide pairs were sometimes named, including Christina and Norbert, with comments that they were friendly and knowledgeable and that they were respectful around the animals. Another note mentioned Bekka and Katie on a different sailing. The consistent theme is the same: the guide and skipper focus on safety, animal respect, and making sure you understand the species, not just see shapes.
One small tip from what people reported: if you end up seated toward the back, you might struggle to hear the guide clearly. If you get a chance to choose your spot, go more toward the middle/front where you can catch both the visuals and the commentary.
Included food, gear, and timing: what happens before and after
The trip runs 210 minutes (about 3.5 hours), but that includes more than just time on the water. It covers getting ready—putting on the warm flotation suits—and it includes complimentary tea and coffee, plus muffins, when you’re changing after.
That pre-ride dressing time is part of what makes the experience smoother. Instead of showing up underdressed and improvising, you get equipped correctly, which helps everyone stay focused on wildlife spotting once you’re under way.
After the ride, you’re not sent away immediately. You can cool down, change out of wet gear, and grab something warm. For a cold-water environment, that small comfort can feel bigger than it sounds.
Also note the physical requirement: the tour says all guests should be in OK physical shape, and it lists many categories that it’s not suitable for. That doesn’t mean it’s “dangerous,” but it does mean the day involves movement, cold water exposure, and time in a boat that can pitch.
Price and value: what $199 is really paying for
At $199 per person, you’re not just paying for transportation. You’re paying for a specific kind of wildlife setup:
- a RIB boat designed for faster repositioning and close viewing
- a guide onboard who actively helps you spot and interpret wildlife
- warm flotation gear and life jackets included
- photos captured during the trip
- tea, coffee, and muffins to round out the outing
When whale watching is “just a boat,” you often end up paying for motion and hoping for sightings. Here, the area choice (Bleik Canyon) plus the small-group format plus the gear and photo service make it feel like a complete package.
Is it expensive? Sure, but that’s the going rate for a niche wildlife safari in northern Norway. And with the chance to see orcas close to the boat, puffin concentrations, and multiple marine mammal species depending on day conditions, the value hinges on your priorities. If you’re the type who wants mammals and birds in the same outing and you’re comfortable with the uncertainty of wildlife, it’s money well spent.
If you’re mainly after one specific whale species, treat that as a wish, not a promise. The canyon can produce sperm whales on some days, or orcas and pilot whales on others. The “what you’ll likely see” concept is central to this kind of trip.
Who should book this Bleik whale and puffin safari
I’d point you to this tour if you:
- want a small-group whale watch rather than a big-boat outing
- like hands-on wildlife viewing and being close enough to appreciate behavior
- are excited by the combination of whales plus birds (not just one category)
- plan a summer trip when you can catch the midnight-sun magic
You may want to skip it if you fall into the listed non-suitable groups: pregnancy, back problems, mobility impairments, claustrophobia, heart problems, wheelchair users, vertigo, respiratory issues, or recent surgeries. Also, there are height and condition limits mentioned (under 4 ft 4 in / 135 cm, plus pre-existing medical conditions). Those are not small print. They matter for safety and comfort.
If you’re unsure, the safest move is to check with a medical professional about whether you should be on a RIB in cold coastal conditions, especially if you’ve had issues with motion sickness before.
Practical tips: how to get the most out of your boat time
You’ll get the warm flotation gear, but you still need to show up ready. Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes for afterward.
Because this tour can be windy and wet even when the harbor looks fine, dress like you’ll be outside for a while and like you’ll get sprayed. Your dry change of clothes is what makes the end of the trip comfortable rather than miserable.
Also, consider your expectations. This is wildlife viewing, not a theme-park schedule. Some departures can be loaded with orcas for long stretches. Other outings may lean more toward puffins and birds if whale activity isn’t as strong. The guide helps steer you toward what’s happening in the canyon right then.
Finally, pick the time that matches your mood. If you want the midnight-sun glow and that golden-water feeling, go for the 21:00 departure. If you prefer a more traditional daylight hunt, choose 10:00.
Should you book Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins?
If your idea of a great day is short, fast, and outdoors—warm suits, a small RIB group, and a guide working the wildlife scene—then this is an easy yes. The value comes from the full package: gear, guide expertise, photo take-home, and the high chance of seeing orcas, puffins, and other marine life around Bleik Canyon.
Book it if you can handle cold-weather boating and you’re physically able for the conditions on a speedboat. Skip it if you’re in one of the non-suitable categories, or if motion and open-water time are a known problem for you.
If you want one last decision rule: choose the departure time that matches your favorite light. Midnight-sun rides are the star here, but either time can turn into the kind of wildlife story you’ll remember long after you get back to your hotel.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The total duration is 210 minutes, which includes getting ready with flotation suits onshore and time for tea and coffee while changing after the trip.
What time does the tour depart?
Departures are at 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina.
How many people are on the boat?
The excursion runs with a maximum of 12 guests.
What wildlife might I see in Bleik Canyon?
You may see sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, Risso’s dolphins, fin whales, puffins, eagles, gannets, and possibly harbor seals.
Is the guide included, and is English available?
Yes. A guide is onboard, and instruction is in English.
What’s included in the price?
Included are the RIB-boat excursion to Bleik Canyon, flotation/warm suits, life jackets, the guide, pictures, and tea, coffee, and muffins.
What should I bring?
Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and a change of clothes.
Who is this tour not suitable for?
It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, claustrophobia, heart problems, wheelchair users, vertigo, respiratory issues, people under 4 ft 4 in (135 cm), or people with pre-existing medical conditions or recent surgeries.
Can I cancel or delay payment?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later to keep plans flexible.
