Lovund: Puffins, Coastal Culture and Hotels

Lovund can be explored through several distinct themes: puffins, maritime exhibitions, coastal views, beaches and an open coffee roastery. If you are looking for a hotel in Lovund, these destinations can help you choose what to see based on your travel interests. They range from a medieval boat find to beaches with different conditions.

Coastal culture and medieval seafaring

The Lovundbåten Museum displays parts of an archaeological boat dating to around 1460, found on Hamnholmen. It is considered the only medieval boat found and preserved in the region, as well as the only medieval boat on display in a Norwegian museum. The exhibition is designed as a place of learning and puts the find in the context of the maritime culture of the late Middle Ages. At the Kystkultursenteret, you can learn more about Lovund, past and present. The exhibitions at the Kystkultursenteret and the Lovundbåten Museum cover Heimhusan, fishing life, utility birds, the Lovund fishing boat Neptun, the Storbåtnaustet, paintings and the Lovund boat. This offers a perspective ranging from the archaeological find to various aspects of coastal culture.

Puffins and views

Lovund is home to Helgeland’s largest puffin colony, with around 200,000 to 300,000 birds. On Heirsan, you can watch puffins, enjoy the sunset and take in the view of Træna. For context within the wider destination of Lurøy: Lovund’s puffins usually arrive around 14 April, Lundkommardagen, and leave the island after the breeding season at the end of August. The hike up Lovundfjellet offers an exceptionally good view of the Helgeland coast. The hike around Lovund is recommended at low tide.

Beaches with different conditions

Valplassen is Lovund’s village beach, in a small, sheltered bay. The water there is a little warmer than in the rest of the sea around the island. There are toilets nearby, and a kiosk is open in summer. Nøvvika is a sheltered beach on the south side of Lovund, along the path to Lovundfjellet. The final descent to the beach is uneven and can be challenging; there are no toilets or other facilities there. If you are planning a beach visit, note the seasonal kiosk at Valplassen and the uneven descent and lack of facilities at Nøvvika.

Coffee roastery and other destinations

The Coast Coffee is an open coffee roastery. Visitors can watch the roasting up close, learn more about the process and taste the specialty coffee produced there. The Coast Coffee also houses a motor museum, offering additional points of interest related to roasting, coffee and engines. At the southern end of Lovund, there is a small driving range at an elevation of about 60 metres. From there, the view stretches south towards Dønnamannen, the Syv søstre and Vega.

Getting to Lovund

You can reach Lovund by ferry from Stokkvågen on the mainland or from the island of Onøy. The Helgelandspendelen express boat serves Lovund year-round from Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Stokkvågen or Onøy. Check the current ferry and express boat schedules before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Lurøy, Nord-Solvær, Bratland, Tonnes

For the wider travel overview: Lurøy.