Northern Lights Forecast for Andenes

Northern Lights in Andenes

Andenes is a fishing village at the northern tip of Andøya, the northernmost island in Vesterålen. It sits on low ground with the sea on three sides, so you get wide, open horizons without having to go far. The village is small, and a short walk to its edge is often enough to get away from most of the lights.

Andøya Space and the rocket range

Andenes has a long link to aurora science. In 1962 Norway launched its first research rocket, Ferdinand 1, from the rocket range a few kilometers outside the village. The site was chosen because it lies under the auroral zone, where rockets could be sent up into the northern lights to study them from the inside. Andøya Space has launched more than 1,200 research rockets since then.

On the mountain Ramnan above the range, the ALOMAR observatory has used laser-based lidar since 1994 to measure the upper atmosphere, including noctilucent clouds. The area also has a spaceport for satellite launches, and the coastal road past it at Børvågen can be closed for several hours during launch operations.

Bleik beach and the Andøya scenic route

• Andenes village: head to the northern edge of the village and you look straight out over open water.
• Bleik: a small village about 15 minutes’ drive away with a long white sand beach. The beach faces the open sea and is a common place to watch the aurora.
• The scenic route: the Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya runs 58 km down the west coast from Andenes to Bjørnskinn, with rest areas such as Bukkekjerka and Kleivodden between the mountains and the Norwegian Sea.

Sperm whales and winter orcas off Andøya

Andenes is known for whale watching. The main season runs from late May to mid-September, but whale safaris by RIB boat also run in winter, with fewer departures. Sperm whales feed in the deep water off the island all year, and in winter orcas and humpbacks also follow the fish into Andfjorden. Winter trips depend on the weather and the short daylight hours. There are also evening northern lights trips by boat.

Andøya Airport, and no winter ferry

Andøya Airport is right next to Andenes, with Widerøe flights to Tromsø and Bodø. The Hurtigruten doesn’t stop in Andenes; the nearest port is Risøyhamn in the south of the island. Andøya is connected by bridge to Hinnøya. The ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord on Senja only runs in summer, so in winter you either fly or come by road.