Måsøy: Island Coast, Havøysund Route and History

Måsøy consists of five larger islands and almost 400 smaller islands, islets and skerries. This island world offers a variety of ways to explore the area: the Norwegian Scenic Route to Havøysund, sandy beaches on Måsøya and Rolvsøya, and natural and cultural sites along other stretches of coast. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can start planning your trip around the experiences that interest you most—coastal routes, landscapes or history.

Island Coast and Nature

On Måsøya, long white sandy beaches invite you to swim in the Arctic Ocean. The beaches at Eines and Persand on Rolvsøya are also known for this on warm summer days. Rolvsøya’s marshes are noted for their rich birdlife; the world’s northernmost known occurrence of the red helleborine is also found there. Numerous bird species nest at Hjelmsøystauren, one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs. On Ingøya, the Sanden nature reserve is one of the sights to see.

Freshwater is also part of the landscape: Måsøy has about 2,200 lakes, many of which are open to trout and Arctic char fishing. The rest area at Snefjord offers good opportunities for salmon fishing. These different fishing spots can help you decide whether to plan your trip around inland waters or the coast.

Along the Havøysund Route

The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund runs for 67 kilometres from Kokelv to Havøysund. It can be combined with National Cycle Route 1 and also follows EuroVelo 1, the “Atlantic Coast Route”. However, it is not signposted as a cycle route. Wind and weather can affect cycling conditions.

From Havøysund, an approximately half-hour hike leads to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen. The hike offers views of the Arctic Ocean and nearby islands. In Selvika, the sheltered sandy beach Sandbukta lies at the innermost end of the bay. A nature trail also runs alongside the “Fotefar mot nord” trail. Cultural heritage sites and settlement remains from the Stone Age and Sámi culture add to the experience of this coastal area.

History and Culture

The Måsøy Museum in Havøysund is housed in the old vicarage, one of the first reconstruction houses in Måsøy built after Finnmark was burned down during the Second World War. The museum’s themes include fishing, reconstruction and everyday life in a coastal society shaped by the coastal climate. Typical post-war reconstruction houses also line the waterfront in Havøysund.

Russehula offers a different perspective on recent history. It is easily accessible from the road and gives an impression of the living conditions of the Russians who hid there from the Germans during the war. The Havøysund Artwork installation at Ørahaugen adds a contemporary touch: it consists of two glass objects in an architecturally designed wooden hut.

Måsøya also brings together cultural and settlement history. The island is associated with hymn writer Magnus Brostrup Landstad, had its own church as early as 1668, and was formerly the administrative centre of the municipality. Stone Age settlement remains lie in Østervågen and Vestervågen.

Planning Your Trip

The coastal express ship Hurtigruten calls at Havøysund daily. As schedules can change, check the connection before your trip. You can also extend a trip in Finnmark from Havøysund by taking the Måsøyekspressen express boat to the Gunnarnes quay on Rolvsøya, Ingøya or Måsøya. Check departures for your travel dates.

On Havøya, Arctic View is a restaurant with panoramic views over the Barents Sea. If you’d like to stop there, check the opening hours in advance. This lets you plan around the specific stops that interest you—from the route and its viewpoints to the islands, coastal life and historic sites.

Discover more destinations: Måsøy, Havøysund, Snefjord.

Discover more destinations: Nordkapp, Vardø, Hasvik, Gamvik, Tana.

Back to the main travel overview: Finnmark.