The Whale Museum in Norway to Open in 2027 with Immersive Exhibits

A new museum focused on whales, called The Whale, is being built in Andenes, a village located at the northern end of Andøya island in Norway, roughly 190 miles above the Arctic Circle. The design, created by the Copenhagen architecture firm Dorte Mandrup, showcases a low, curved concrete roof adorned with stones that serves as a viewing platform for observing species such as sperm whales, humpback whales, orcas, minke whales, and long-finned pilot whales. Set to open on June 4, 2027, the museum will provide various immersive experiences, including life-size wooden orca sculptures, a large suspended whale exhibit, and galleries dedicated to whale evolution and anatomy. One gallery, Soundscape, will feature a multisensory experience with whale calls and ocean sounds, while another, Horizons, will highlight the impact of shipping on whale habitats. The museum will also explore the complex relationship between humans and whales, including industrial whaling history, and will include a café and restaurant. Additionally, it will serve as a starting point for whale-watching tours in Bleik Canyon. Since 1988, Andenes has been a leader in whale watching, drawing around 50,000 visitors each year. Museum tickets will be available this fall.