Risøyhamn is a small village on the eastern side of Andøya, set on a sheltered bay with a view over the Risøysundet strait, and it feels very different from the exposed western coast. The settlement is a scatter of fishermen's houses, boat sheds and a few shops, with a harbour that serves as a base for local boats. The Risøyhamn Church and the old trading post recall the days when the village was a centre of the herring trade, and the area is quiet and peaceful. Myre, about twenty kilometres away, is the nearest place with fuel and shops.
The east coast of Andøya is greener and softer than the west, with farms, birch trees and gentle hills, and the water in the sound is often calm. The island's interior is peat bog, and the high ground has cloudberries in late summer, which locals pick in great quantities. Andøya is also known for its fossils, because the island has some of the oldest rock in Norway and traces of Jurassic life. The Andøya Space Centre, a short distance from Andenes, also holds exhibitions.
The road from Andenes to Risøyhamn follows the coast and then passes through the central part of the island, a mix of bog, lakes and low hills. The route is mostly smooth, with long straight sections and gentle curves. Wind is common, and rain showers pass quickly, but when the sun comes out, the colours are bright. Reindeer do not live on Andøya, but sheep and the occasional elk do, so keep an eye out, particularly at dusk. The road continues to the bridge to Hinnøya, which leads to the rest of the Vesterålen islands.
Be prepared with fuel, since the village has few services, and the nearest pumps are at Myre or Andenes. A small shop may sell coffee and snacks, but options are limited. In summer, the midnight sun allows long evenings, and in autumn, the northern lights may appear above the water. Stop on the quay, watch the boats come in, and listen to the gulls. It is a peaceful place to end a ride.