Our story

The Whale began as an idea in Andenes in 2014, when a group of local whale and tourism enthusiasts came together to explore the possibility of creating a new whale attraction rooted in Andøy’s unique marine environment. From the outset, there was broad agreement that the area offered exceptional conditions for a world-class destination centred on whales and the ocean.

Crowd in snowy coastal village watches a giant blue whale balloon floating near a tall red lighthouse.

Espen Bergersen

The project was formally established in 2016 and has since developed through close collaboration with the local community. Over time, the initiative has grown into a project with strong local and regional roots and increasing national and international attention.

The attraction is scheduled to open on 3 June 2027.

The Whale is developed and owned by The Whale AS, with daily operations managed by its non-profit subsidiary, The Whale Drift AS.

The Making of The Whale

Since its early beginnings, The Whale has reached several important milestones. In 2019, an international architectural competition was held, resulting in the selection of the Danish architecture studio Dorte Mandrup to design the building. In autumn 2024, the contractor HENT was appointed following a comprehensive tender process. At the same time, experience designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates and Tamschick Media + Space were selected to develop the exhibition and experience content.

The project is funded through a combination of public and private contributions, with the final public financing secured in November 2024. Construction began in June 2026.

HENT brings extensive experience from complex projects and places strong emphasis on collaboration with local and regional subcontractors, ensuring positive effects for the local community from the construction phase onwards.

The exhibition content is being developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the world’s leading exhibition designers, in close collaboration with Tamschick Media + Space and Belzner-Holmes Light Design. Together, they aim to create an immersive experience that combines knowledge, emotion and storytelling through science, art and design.

The local community continues to play an important role in the development of The Whale. Through dialogue, workshops and ongoing involvement, the project is being shaped as a shared effort — not only an attraction, but a place created together with the people who live here.

The Whale Facts

Owner: The Whale AS
Developer: The Whale AS
Operations: The Whale Drift AS (non-profit)
Architect: Dorte Mandrup A/S
Landscape Architect: Marianne Levinsen Landskab ApS
Main Contractor: HENT AS
Experience Designers: Ralph Appelbaum Associates (Berlin), Tamschick Media + Space (Berlin)
Total area: approx. 3,750 m²
Exhibition area: approx. 1,800 m²

A person in a black puffer jacket holds a wooden tray of chocolate treats indoors with balloons and warm lights behind.

Espen Bergersen

A large suspended inflatable whale lit in purple hangs indoors above clusters of blue and white balloons.

Espen Bergersen

Two men wearing dark coats and ties stand indoors near shelves with bottles and glasses against a blue wall.

Children sit on a classroom floor around a long paper sheet with a large dark painted animal figure and brushes nearby.

Large audience seated at long tables in a hall, watching a projected speaker on a big screen under blue lighting.

Group of youths on a stage reading from paper sheets beside a microphone, with projected text on a screen behind.

People in winter coats gather outdoors at night beneath a circular metal truss arch with bright lights.

Group in winter coats stands at night behind a winding fire-lit trench, with sparks and smoke in the air.

Timeline

Since the very beginning in 2015, we have documented every milestone, challenge, and breakthrough on our path. Explore the full timeline here.