Bleik at midnight sun is seriously magical. I love the way this RIB boat trip turns Vesterålen into a moving wildlife hide, with whales and seabirds feeding in the same stretch of water around Bleik Canyon.

Two things I like a lot: the small-group RIB setup, which keeps you close enough to feel the animals are real, and the onboard guide who shares what you are seeing while taking photos you bring home. The biggest drawback to think about is sea conditions. If the sea gets choppy, you may feel it, and one review noted sea sickness during longer open-sea time.

Key points before you go

• Bleik Canyon wildlife odds: Sperm whales are possible, with frequent sightings reported of orcas, pilot whales, and puffins.
• Midnight sun options: A late departure can mean surreal light and often a calm-feeling evening on the water.
• Warm flotation suit included: Less “what will I wear” stress, more time to focus on spotting wildlife.
• Max 12 guests: Smaller groups tend to mean more attention and better spotting from the boat.
• Guide + skipper on board: You get explanations in English and photo memories after.
• Comfort stops matter: Tea, coffee, and muffins are part of the turnaround, so you are not just cold and done.

Where Bleik Canyon turns into a wildlife hotspot

Bleik is one of those northern places where summer feels endless, because in the right season the sun hangs around long enough to make everything look staged. This tour uses that advantage. You are heading out on a RIB to explore the surface of a deep-water canyon system, where food gets concentrated, which then pulls in the animals that follow it.

The Bleik Canyon area is known for marine mammals that hunt near the surface. Depending on the day, you can encounter sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and occasionally Risso’s dolphins or fin whales. The sea birds often show up right alongside, since puffins, eagles, gannets, and other species react to the same feeding events. In plain terms, the boat is not just “going whale watching,” it is searching for the active feeding zone.

And because it is a RIB and not a slow sightseeing vessel, the experience feels more like tracking than touring. You get movement, quick repositioning when wildlife surfaces, and the kind of closeness that makes you gasp, then laugh, then keep looking for more.

The RIB boat experience, and why the small-group setup matters

This excursion runs on a RIB with a maximum of 12 guests, plus a skipper and onboard guide. That matters because spotting at sea is a team sport. When the group is small, the guide can point things out and keep everyone oriented without shouting for half the trip.

In the reviews, people keep praising the closeness. One guest highlighted an orca pod nearby for most of the trip. Another described spending about an hour with orcas during a morning run, then switching to birdwatching, including special puffin activity around the area. That pattern makes sense for Bleik. When whales are feeding near the surface, and when the timing lines up, you can get repeated “there they are again” moments.

One practical note I think you should keep in mind: sound can be tricky on a fast RIB, especially if you are seated farther back. A guest noted that people in the back had trouble hearing the guide. If you care about the commentary, try to choose a spot where you can hear easily during the safety briefing and the wildlife explanations.

What happens onshore at Bleik Marina (and what to pack)

The tour departs from Bleik Marina. You are told to look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, known as the legendary Green Dragon, where your skipper and guide meet you.

Getting ready is part of the total time. The excursion is listed at about 210 minutes, and that includes suiting up onshore, plus the warm drinks and changing time afterward. You will put on warm flotation suits and life jackets. That is not a small detail. In Northern Norway, you can spend all your energy worrying about cold damp clothes, or you can show up ready to be out there looking.

To make the day actually pleasant, bring:

• Warm clothing
• A change of clothes
• Outdoor layers you can move in

Also, think about how quickly you will cool down once you are off the boat. You do get tea and coffee while you change, and muffins at the end, but you still want dry layers ready to go.

One of the best value points here is that you are not paying extra for the core comfort kit. You get the suit and life jacket as part of the package, which helps explain why the price feels more “full experience” than “just a ticket to the water.”

The 10:00 vs 21:00 choice: when timing changes the feel

There are departures at 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina, and the late tour is where the midnight sun magic shows up in a big way. Multiple reviews mention golden light and dreamlike conditions when the sea is calm.

Here is how you should think about your choice:

• The 10:00 departure often gives you a classic day experience, still in summer light, with more straightforward “morning energy.”
• The 21:00 departure is for the surreal factor. If conditions are right, you get that midnight-sun glow while you search for whales and puffins.

In one review, a 9 PM tour included about three hours watching whales and then, in the final stretch, a puffin-colony visit. That kind of pacing is exactly what you hope for on a hunt-and-spot wildlife trip, because you do not only see animals, you also end with the birds that make Bleik famous.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider which departure may feel gentler to you, but be aware that weather and sea state can change fast at sea.

Searching Bleik Canyon: how the spotting actually works

Once you are in the boat, the hunt begins around the canyon area and its surroundings. The guide onboard watches for signs of marine mammals, while also scanning for birds and other cues that indicate feeding activity. The idea is simple: whales and dolphins surface where food is concentrated, and birds often show up because they are exploiting the same opportunity.

Based on the reported wildlife, your “possible hits” list looks like this:

• Sperm whales (one review mentions four sperm whales, though not very close in that case)
• Orcas (repeatedly praised, sometimes very close to the boat for long stretches)
• Pilot whales (a favorite for fun, social behavior, including young babies in one account)
• Minke whales
• Risso’s dolphins and fin whales, occasionally
• Harbor seals (also on the watch list)

On the bird side, the tour aims for puffins as a major highlight, plus eagles and gannets. Puffins are a key part of the Bleik identity, and the reviews mention everything from puffins diving around cliffs to huge numbers of puffins in the area.

One of the clever parts of this kind of trip is that it is not just “wait and hope for whales.” It is search and reposition, guided by real-time sightings. That is why the onboard explanation matters. When you understand what you are seeing, the wildlife feels less like random luck and more like a living system.

Puffins, eagles, and the moment the birds steal the show

If whales show up, they understandably take center stage. But puffins and birds can easily become your favorite part, too, especially because they often feel active and close to the action in their own way.

In reviews, puffins show up in a few different ways. Some people mention thousands of puffins in the area. Others describe puffins and eagles around the same bird-friendly spots. One guest specifically pointed out a puffin island that was swarming with puffins and eagles.

This is where you should set expectations realistically. You are not guaranteed whales. You are more likely to get a mix of marine mammals and seabirds because the area draws multiple species to the same food events. If whales are not in view, puffins can still deliver the “I cannot believe this is real” reaction.

If you are a bird person, you will probably appreciate the guide’s effort to point out different birds and discuss fish species and feeding behavior. That context turns random bird spotting into real understanding.

When the sea is rough: the one drawback you should respect

Fast RIB boats are exciting, but they are also not always gentle. The best-case scenario is calm water, especially during certain summer evening conditions. A couple reviews mention calm seas, perfect weather, and long orca viewing stretches.

But another review described a rougher experience, including sea sickness during about an hour and a half in open sea. That is your signal to plan for motion.

My practical advice:

• Wear the suit exactly as instructed and keep layers snug.
• Bring your change of clothes so you can warm up quickly afterward.
• If you are sensitive to motion, think carefully about whether a RIB is for you on the day you go.

Also, the tour has a clear list of situations where it is not suitable. If any apply to you, skip the trip rather than trying to tough it out.

Price and value: what you are really paying for

At $199 per person, this is not a cheap outing. But it also is not just “a boat ride.” You are paying for:

• A RIB excursion to a wildlife-rich canyon area
• Warm flotation suits and life jackets
• A guide onboard in English
• Photos taken during the tour
• Tea, coffee, and muffins during the turnaround

Value in this kind of tour comes from reducing friction. If you had to rent a suit, book private gear, find your own guides, and then coordinate wildlife timing alone, the cost would likely climb. Here, you get the whole package, designed for conditions that can be cold and wet, with staff who focus on locating animals and keeping the experience safe.

The wildlife odds are a big part of the value calculation. The reviews repeatedly mention orcas and puffins, and many also mention other whales. You cannot guarantee specific species on any wildlife day, but the overall pattern suggests you are booking a real search process, not a generic sightseeing loop.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This trip is great for:

• Wildlife lovers who want whales and seabirds in one trip
• People who like active boat time, not slow sightseeing
• Families and couples who want a small-group experience with a guide onboard
• Travelers who care about practical comfort like included flotation suits and warm clothing support

It is not for everyone. The tour is listed as not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• People with claustrophobia
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• People with vertigo
• People with respiratory issues
• People under 4 ft 4 in (135 cm)
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People with recent surgeries

Also, you should be in OK physical shape. This is a day where you will suit up, be outdoors, and spend time on the boat searching for wildlife. If you have any medical concerns, treat the list as the final word and do not assume you will “be fine that day.”

Getting your best chance: simple tips that actually help

You will get the highest quality experience if you show up ready. A few tips based on how RIB wildlife trips work:

• Arrive on time so your suiting up and briefing do not get rushed.
• Bring a proper change of clothes. Warm drinks help, but dry layers matter.
• If you can, choose a seat that helps you hear the guide. Sound can be inconsistent on fast boats.
• Keep your camera and phone handy, but also keep your eyes up. Birds and mammals do not always surface on a neat schedule.
• Watch the birds as signals. Puffins and other seabirds often appear when the feeding action is happening.

Finally, manage your expectations around proximity. One sperm-whale sighting described whales not very close. Another experience described orcas very near and for long periods. Both outcomes can happen. Your best bet is to treat it as a wildlife hunt where the “best” result is more likely when you stay alert and trust the guide’s scanning.

Should you book Bleik Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins?

If you want a small-group RIB wildlife outing in northern Norway with a strong chance of seeing orcas or other whales and definitely puffins in the picture, I think it is an easy yes. The comfort value is also real, because warm flotation suits, life jackets, and photo keepsakes are included, plus you end with tea, coffee, and muffins instead of freezing on the pier.

Book it if:

• You are excited by whales and seabirds, not just one species
• You can handle fast boat motion and cool weather with the right layers
• You want guided explanations in English, not just a driver and a vague route

Skip it if:

• Any of the listed medical conditions apply
• You know you get very seasick in moving water
• You cannot manage being outdoors and in cold suit gear

This is one of those tours where timing, sea state, and animal behavior all matter. But the overall setup, including the small group and the onboard guide with photos, gives you a solid shot at a real wildlife day, not a forgettable ride.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Bleik Marina. Drive down the beach road at Midnattsol camping, continue to Smia Pub, then turn right down to Bleik Marina and follow the Puffin Safari sign. Look for the Green Gold of Norway sign, known as the Green Dragon.

How long is the excursion?

The total duration is about 210 minutes, which includes getting ready with the warm flotation suits onshore and the tea and coffee while you change after the trip.

What times do departures run?

Departures are listed at 10:00 and 21:00 from Bleik Marina.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a RIB-boat excursion to Bleik Canyon, flotation/warm suits, life jackets, a guide, pictures, tea and coffee, and muffins.

What wildlife should I expect to see?

You have high chances of seeing whales and puffins, along with other wildlife. Depending on the day, the area may include sperm whales, pilot whales, orcas, minke whales, and occasionally Risso’s dolphins and fin whales, plus birds like puffins, eagles, and gannets, and sometimes harbor seals.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and outdoor clothing, plus a change of clothes.

Who should not join this tour?

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), people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people with recent surgeries.