Andøya (Vesterålen North)
Andenes harbour approaches · Bleik beach anchorage · Andøy north tip
69°17.8'N 016°00.9'E
Depth
5–18m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in 5–15m on sand/mud. Good holding but N/NW/W exposure is significant — this is the open North Sea side of Norway at 69°N. Only use this anchorage in settled high pressure with no N or W forecast. Tidal range 2.0m is the largest in the Lofoten/Vesterålen area — depth calculations are critical.
About This Anchorage
Andøya is the northernmost island of Vesterålen, at 69°N well above the Arctic Circle. The west coast of Andøya faces the open Norwegian Sea directly — a frontier coastline of white sand beaches and exposed skerries. Bleik village, one of Norway's most remote communities, sits on a white sand beach with the puffin colony island of Bleiksøya 500m offshore — the largest puffin colony in mainland Norway with 70,000+ nesting pairs. The Andenes whale safari centre to the north offers guaranteed sperm whale encounters (refund if no sighting). The anchorage is weather-dependent but the spectacle of Bleiksøya's puffin colony, the white sand beach, and the Arctic sky at midnight sun is extraordinary.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Bleiksøya bird reserve: no landing on the island during nesting season (May–August). Keep 200m offshore from the island at all times during nesting. Andøya Space Centre (N of Andenes): rocket launch restricted zones apply on certain days — check NOTAM before transiting north of Andenes.
Hazards
- !Open Norwegian Sea exposure: N, NW and W exposure is to the open Norwegian Sea — this anchorage must be vacated in any N or W forecast; conditions deteriorate extremely rapidly in this area
- !Andøya Space Centre rocket launches: the space centre at Andenes launches sounding rockets on irregular schedules; check NOTAM and local notices for restricted airspace and maritime exclusion zones
- !Tidal range 2.0m: highest tidal range in the Lofoten/Vesterålen area — calculate depths carefully and allow adequate scope
- !Arctic weather: even in summer a cold front from the Norwegian Sea can bring 35-knot winds with minimal warning at this latitude; yr.no monitoring essential at all times
Skipper's Tips
- →Puffin viewing: anchor in Bleik Bay and use the dinghy to approach Bleiksøya — 70,000 puffin pairs nesting on the island face is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in Norway; stay 200m from the island
- →Whale safari: Andenes whale safari (12nm N) offers guaranteed sperm whale sightings from a large catamaran — book ahead online for July visits
- →Andøya Space Centre: occasional rocket launches from the space centre are visible across the bay — check the launch calendar at andoyaspace.no
- →White sand beach: Bleik Beach (2km long) is one of the finest white sand beaches in Arctic Norway — a completely unexpected landscape at 69°N; worthwhile even in 10°C air temperature
Facilities
Bleik village has no facilities for visiting boats. Andenes (12nm N) has a guest harbour, water, restaurant and the whale safari centre. Andenes is the primary base for this area.
Nearest provisions: Andenes guest harbour (12nm N) (12nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August only. This is one of the most exposed anchorages in this guide — weather windows can be short. Plan for Andøya only in settled, sustained high pressure from the E or S. Monitor forecasts hourly when in this location.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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