Set to open on June 4, 2027, The Whale is a new museum in Norway dedicated to the science, behavior, evolution, and cultural history of whales.
The museum is being built in Andenes, a small village on the northern tip of the island of Andøya.
Located around 190 miles from the Arctic Circle, the area is known for its dramatic coastal scenery and frequent whale sightings.
Visitors can learn more on The Whale’s official website.
Designed to Blend Into the Coast
The museum was designed by Copenhagen-based architecture firm Dorte Mandrup.
Its curved shape will appear to rise naturally from the rocky shoreline.
From a distance, the building is meant to resemble a whale breaking through the surface of the water.
The roof will be covered with stones and will also serve as a viewing platform.
From there, visitors may be able to spot sperm whales, humpbacks, orcas, minke whales, and pilot whales.
During summer, the area is lit by the midnight sun. In winter, visitors may also see the northern lights.
An Immersive Experience Inside
The inside of the museum will focus on interactive and sensory experiences.
Visitors will move through several exhibition areas designed to explore the lives of whales.
Five life-size wooden sculptures will represent orcas known to swim in nearby waters.
Another large suspended sculpture will introduce visitors to whale communication, cooperation, and social behavior.
Exploring Whale Species
A species gallery will feature all 90 modern whale species through an art installation.
Another section, called “Under the Skin,” will focus on whale anatomy.
It will include real anatomical specimens and large whale bones suspended from the ceiling.
Visitors will also be able to enter an immersive sound room.
There, whale calls, light, and sound will create an experience inspired by life beneath the ocean.
Whales and Human History
The museum will also explore the long relationship between humans and whales.
One section will look at the history of industrial whaling and the cultural importance of whales around the world.
Another gallery will show whale habitats and migration routes.
It will also explain how those routes overlap with human activity.
The goal is to help visitors better understand how closely human life is connected to the ocean.
More Than a Museum
Once open, The Whale is expected to operate throughout the year.
It will host exhibitions, concerts, and collaborations with local and international partners.
The site will also include a café and restaurant.
It will serve as a meeting point for whale-watching tours, hikes, and other outdoor activities.
Built in one of the world’s best areas for year-round whale watching, The Whale aims to bring visitors closer to the animals both inside the museum and along Norway’s Arctic coast.