Far out on the Helgeland coast, away from the mainland and towards the open sea, lies the island of Lovund. Here, amidst raw and genuine nature, you’ll find a modern and progressive coastal community, complete with its own city beach, coffee roastery, and the world’s largest one-hole golf course.
Lovund is an island located approximately in the middle of the Helgeland coast, north of Herøy and Dønna, and south of Træna. You can travel there by ferry, express boat, or your own boat. There are few roads on the island and limited parking facilities, so we recommend travelers with cars to leave them on the mainland.
Ferry
You can take the ferry to Lovund from Stokkvågen on the mainland, or from the island Onøy. Click the names to see the locations in Google Maps.
Find ferry schedule for Stokkvågen – Lovund
Find ferry schedule for Onøy – Lovund
Express boat
From the north: In the summertime you can take the express boat Nordlandsekspressen to Lovund from multiple places between Bodø and Træna.Click the names to see the locations in Google Maps.
From the south: You’ll take the express boat Helgelandspendelen to Lovund from Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Stokkvågen or Onøy year round. Click the names to see the locations in Google Maps.
Find schedule for the express boath
Find schedule for the express boat from Sandnessjøen to Lovund
Lovund harbors Helgeland’s largest colony of puffins, with approximately 200-300,000 birds. The birds typically arrive on Lundkommardagen, April 14th, and it is a magnificent sight when they fly in from the open sea to nest in the cliffs. Here, they build nests and hatch this year’s chicks, spending most of their days feeding them small fish. Once the breeding season ends in late August when they leave Lovund and spend the fall and winter far out at sea.
Fish has always been the lifeblood for the island’s wingless inhabitants, but today with a modern twist. Namely, it’s salmon farming, and the cornerstone company Nova Sea, that drives the engine in this small island community. Nova Sea is considered a small Norwegian industrial success story, having been in continuous growth and development for 40 years, currently generating billions of Norwegian kroner in revenue.
This forms the foundation for a modern, forward-thinking, and vibrant local community on the island. If you want to learn more about Lovund’s past and present, we recommend a visit to the Coastal Culture Center on the island.
However, the best thing you can do on Lovund is perhaps to simply take it easy. Put away your watch, let time sail its own course, and just savor life. Here, far out on the coast, we humans are small, and the forces of nature rule. Enjoy a fine dinner at Lovund Hotel, the tranquility in the puffin cliff on a long, bright summer night, and the fantastic view from Lovundfjellet. Be prepared for the passing rain showers, enjoy the sun and the fresh sea air, live in the moment, and take the days as they come.
Hans Petter Sørensen / FarOutFocusThank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!
Please:
- Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
- Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
- Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
- Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
- Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
- Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
- Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.
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Lovund Hotel
Lovund Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the enchanting island of Lovund. With comfortable accommodation, delicious cuisine, and stunning views of the sea and mountains, you can relax and unwind after a day of hiking or bird-watching. Enjoy the urban island life and breathtaking views from the comfort of your room or the hotel’s terrace.
