Vesterålen Cruise Port Tour coaches are lined up on the quay near the gangway. The distance from the quayside to the main shopping street is only 100 m. Here you will find, banks, post office, hotels, restaurants, and cafés – everything you need to make your visit complete. | www.visitnorway.com | Page 64

Bø in Vesterålen Photo: Hugo Næss Trollfjorden Photo: Tor I. Bergsmo

Stokmarknes Whale watching Whale Centre, Andenes Is 30 minutes from Sortland. Here you find Vesterålen is close to the continental shelf, where the Whale Center was established in 1988 in an old The Coastal Express museum exhibits portions sea is rich in nutrients and the whale feeding. fishing dock at the quayside. Whale Center offers a of the coastal express’s history spanning more than This makes the area a perfect base for whale watching. unique combination of tourism, learning and research. a century. The venerable coastal express Here you can experience some of the world’s largest Tourists who visit the Whale Center, or attending MS Finnmarken, dating from 1956, is a landmounted marine mammals up close! a hvalsafaritur, are also invited to visit the Whale part of the museum exhibit. In summer, the large whales from the Mexican Gulf to Centre’s museum displays whale, whale biology, Vesterålen to eat up on squid. From May to September, research on whales and whaling. A multi-media Hadsel Churtch whale watching from Andenes and Stø on the far side program about whales and their environment appear Hadsel Church was built in 1824.The octagonal church of Vesterålen. These are boat trips out to the edge, several times per day. Research on live whales have is built of cog-jointed logs. The impressive altarpiece where the 20 meter long and 70-ton sperm sets graze been an important part of the Whale Centre’s activities was made in Utrecht in about 1520. in some summer months, before they return to since its inception in 1988, the center offers warmer water. researchers from different universities the opportunity Stø to stay at the center and to avail themselves of the Is 60 min from Sortland. Stø is a working fishing center’s facilities. Biology Students from Europe serve village year around. A visit to Langnes Church, as naturalists on board the Whale watching boats Vesterålen`s oldest preserved church building. and get in the way exercise in practical training and research. Rinøyvåg Photo: Tor I. Bergsmo The World’s Most Beautiful Port information Crew facilities: Tugboats: If ordered in advance Shopping in Sortland. Anchorage: Yes Distances Cross country Pontoons: Yes Island Kingdom Airport: 120 km to Harsstad/Narvik Lufthavn Sports 16 km to Stokmarknes Lufthavn Swimmingpool Name & Contacts Vesteralen is the archipelago north of Lofoten, now introducing herself as a new cruise destination. City Centre: 50 m Port of .Sortland Port Facilities Visiting address: Havnegata 7, Postboks 144, The Vesterålen islands comprise Andøy, Hadsel , the western portion of Hinnøy and the northern portion of Austvågøy General information Open: 24 hours 8400 Sortland – with a combined area of 3268 square kilometres. Tourist information: 150 m ISPS approved: Yes Mailing address: Bus: 300 m Designated quays for cruise ships: Yes [email protected] Taxi: 300 m Pilot: Lødingen pilot station Phone: 76 10 82 60 The Vesteralen area offers breathtakingly unique and varied natural surroundings, a diverse abundance of fauna and birdlife, Rental cars: 300 m Tidal movement: 0,75 – 2,00 m Fax: 76 10 82 61 Public transportation: 300 m Ship tenders allowed: Yes International Access code: +47 bird rocks, outdoor activities, boating, deep sea fishing, whale safaris, thriving local villages and bustling fishing communities, Guide Service: Every major language Ships stay minimum/maximum: No limitation Pilot: channel 12 historical journeys and cultural monuments, ancient grave mounds, artscape sculptures, museums, galleries, and last but not least Shopping: 100 m Environmental limitations/restrictions: Emergency: channel 16 Emergency: Nordlandsykehuset – Stokmarknes No limitation Medical emergency: 113 - a hospitable and friendly population that keeps alive a vibrant coastal culture. Are the port facilities according to Charts: Sortland no 76 Passenger facilities in port area Cruise Norway’s quality guidelines: Yes Email: [email protected] Shuttle service: No Maximum number of ships per day in port: Internet: http://sortland-havn.no Parking place for buses and distance: Depending on season Attractions/excursions Yes, buses can park on the pier Maximum number of passengers Terminal building for passenger: Yes per day in port: Depending on season Welcome to Sortland -the Blue City by the Sea! Andenes Nykvåg Tourist/city maps: Yes The cruise ship doks at the new harbour terminal is 90 min from Sortland. Is a 90 minutes from Sortland. The majestic bird Local currency: NOK Port Services – City centre is only a short stroll away. The Whale Centre: Here one may enjoy a rock Bufjellet is the item of interest here. The bird Currency exchange: 200 m Bunkers delivery: Yes multi-media show and exhibit on whales and whale rock is located nearby the village, and here you will ATM: Yes Bunkers method: Hose, 80m3/hour The BlueCity research, as well as a guided tour of the centre. be able to study the screeching kittiwakes and the Internet access: Yes Supplies: Yes Sortland municipality’s millennium celebration was voracious white-tailed sea eagles, who prey Public telephones: No Waste Handling: Yes The Northern Lights Centre: marked by a resolution to paint the facades of city hungrily on kittiwake chicks. Mailboxes: Yes, Sortland post office Waste water method: Waste disponal car centre blue. The innovation has attracted attention Exhibits on the northern lights phenomenon and even outside of Norway. It is about 250 shops and activities at the Andøya Rocket Range. Hovden service businesses in the city of Sortland. Hovden is 60 min from Sortland, is one of the oldest The Polar Museum fishing villages in the Vesterålen islands. Writing on a Field of Blue A local museum featuring the history of trapping On the outermost shoreline is the sculptural Quay: Length: Draft: Airdraft: Beam: Height Quayside: Versesadorning many of the blue facades - like an and fishing, with primary focus on trapper installation RÆK III, made from driftwood found on Sortland Terminalkai 450m 7.5 til 12m No limitation No limitation No limitation outdoor book of poetry. The Artist`Residence: Hilmar Nøis and his long winter sojourns on the beach. It is a tribute to the Gulf Stream. Svalbard island. The Lighthouse: Built in 1859, Hovden Fishing Industry AS does its dried fish 1 700m Andøy Friluftssenter the tower stands 40 metres high. Its 148 stairs sorting in the dry fish storehouse. SCALE is 30 minutes from Sortland. The centre offers may be climbed to the top by groups of up to Fish drying racks are seen on the lower end of the

experiences of nature in the wilderness, featuring 8 persons at a time. sandy beach facing to the north Strand hiking trails to fishing lakes. Two large Sami tents accommodate 70 pax. Guests enjoy a good drink Alsvåg Nyksund SORTLAND Quay while they watch their meal (specialities include Is 45 min from Sortland. Øksnes Museum, the Is 90 min from Sortland. Nyksund – a very special city centre whale meat, moose, wild deer, Norwegian feral Alsvåg Manor and the Old General Store. fishing village that was abandoned for many years lamb –Villsau) being prepared over the hearth. The museum recount the history of fishing from the but has come to life again in a modern age. This facility has been awarded a prize for being one Stone Age and up until to day. Suggested activities: Guided tour around Nyksund, of Norway’s most innovative places for fine dining. visit Sigrid Setzu`s studio.