Sørarnøy: Island Hopping, Coastal Trail and Fishing

On Sørarnøy, water connections, the bridge to Nord-Arnøy and excursions along the coast all go hand in hand. You can plan your stay around a marked trail to the coastal fort, cycle to the far end of Nord-Arnøy, or arrange boat trips and fishing excursions with a guide.

Arriving and getting your bearings

Sør-Arnøy has a ferry quay and is connected to Nord-Arnøy by a bridge. Follow the main road through Sør-Arnøy for a few minutes to reach the bridge across Arnøysundet to Nord-Arnøy. This makes the location of the bridge to Nord-Arnøy easy to include when getting your bearings.

Travel by water is also part of the planning: the ferry service in Gildeskål runs via Sund, Horsdal and Sør-Arnøy. The regional express boat service Bodø–Sandnessjøen, NEX route 23-731, calls at Sør-Arnøy and offers connections to the local route there. If your journey depends on a particular departure, check the current timetable in advance.

Walking or cycling to Nord-Arnøy

A marked hiking trail starts at the bridge between Sør-Arnøy and Nord-Arnøy, follows the shore and leads to Nordarnøy Coastal Fort. Check the signage and trail conditions locally. If you prefer to travel by bike, you can start a cycling island-hopping trip at the express boat pier on Sør-Arnøy and ride to the far end of Nord-Arnøy. The two options differ mainly in how you get around and where they take you: the hiking trail follows the shore to the fort, while the bike ride goes all the way to the end of the neighboring island.

Nordarnøy Coastal Fort was built in 1941–1942 as a strategically located German coastal artillery position. This historical background adds a specific connection to the destination of the hike.

Boat trips and guided fishing

Aasgardr Service offers island hopping, boat transfers and experience tours with open or enclosed RIB boats from its base on Sør-Arnøy. If your plans depend on a particular tour, check current availability with the provider.

Arnøy Havfiske offers guided fishing experiences from Sør-Arnøy. These include accommodation in a rorbu, a boat, fishing equipment and a guide. Halibut, redfish and cod are among the possible target species. You can choose a trip based on what you’re looking for: boat trips and island hopping focus on travel between islands, while the target species listed are also part of the guided fishing experience.

A coffee break and nature on the island

Pellerie Kafe og bar is next to the shop on Sør-Arnøy and is a possible place for a coffee break or something sweet. In the wider surrounding area, the island of Sør-Arnøya is home to a rich variety of birdlife.

More places in the Gildeskål destination

The broader Gildeskål destination includes other distinct points of interest. Gildeskål kirkested includes a medieval church with one of Norway’s best-preserved Baroque interiors. On Sandhornøy lies Langsanden, an almost 2 km long and 300 m wide sandy beach, ideal for a seaside stroll all year round. These destinations add to the picture of Gildeskål without being features of Sørarnøy.

Discover more destinations: Nygårdsjøen, Storvik, Sandhornøy, Inndyr.

Return to the main travel overview: Gildeskål.