Måsøy – Fishing Village on Måsøya

The fishing village of Måsøy is located on Måsøya. Its history is closely tied to the place’s former role in the area: in the 18th century, Måsøy was the centre of the surrounding area and gave Måsøy Municipality its name. The village had its own church as early as 1668; in earlier times, Måsøy was also the municipal seat.

Local history and how to get there

One of the personal stories associated with Måsøy is that of Madam Juel. The café owner came from Copenhagen and lived on Måsøya for many years. Together with the early history of the church and the village’s former role as the municipal seat, her story gives the fishing village several historical points of interest.

Måsøy is connected to the municipal centre by express boat. When planning your trip, check the latest departures and seasonal timetables before travelling. This lets you coordinate your journey with your preferred dates without relying on a presumed timetable.

The wider Måsøy destination

For a broader regional perspective, the wider Måsøy destination is a separate area: it consists of five larger islands and almost 400 smaller islands, islets and skerries. Regional attractions include the Havøysund National Scenic Route and destinations on various islands. The route is 67 kilometres long and runs 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 cycling route—a key distinction to bear in mind when planning a bike trip.

Hiking and boat connections are also part of the regional picture. From Havøysund, an approximately half-hour hike leads to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen; from there, views extend across the Arctic Ocean and the nearby islands. The coastal express ship Hurtigruten calls at Havøysund daily. Check the timetable before travelling, as schedules may change.

Selvika brings together natural and cultural attractions: it has cultural heritage sites and settlement remains dating from the Stone Age and Sámi culture. A nature trail runs along the “Fotefar mot nord” path. Sandbukta, a protected sandy beach, lies at the innermost end of Selvika Bay. This combination makes Selvika a regional destination for a range of interests, even though the individual attractions do not all share the same theme.

Culture and landscapes in the region

In Havøysund, the Måsøy Museum explores the history of life in the far north of Finnmark. Its themes include fishing, reconstruction and everyday life in a coastal society shaped by the coastal climate. The museum is housed in the old vicarage, one of the first reconstruction houses in Måsøy after Finnmark was burned down during the Second World War. Typical post-war reconstruction houses also line the waterfront in Havøysund. A different design can be seen at Havøysund Artwork, an art installation at Ørahaugen consisting of two glass objects in an architecturally designed wooden hut.

Russehula adds another historical theme. It is easy to reach from the road and offers a glimpse of the living conditions of the Russians who hid there from the Germans during the war. The wider Måsøy destination offers different natural attractions: Hjelmsøystauren is one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs, where numerous bird species nest. The marshes on Rolvsøya are known for their abundant birdlife; the world’s northernmost known occurrence of the red helleborine is also found there.

If you are looking for a hotel, distinguishing between the fishing village of Måsøy on Måsøya and the wider Måsøy destination can help you put your trip into perspective. The regional attractions described here relate to the wider destination and are not all located in the village of Måsøy. This allows you to consider the village’s history and regional interests separately when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Havøysund, Snefjord.

View the wider travel guide: Måsøy.