Across the more than 6,500 large and small islands in the Vega archipelago, you will find a diverse nature with high mountains, fishing lakes, abundant wildlife, and a wonderful agricultural landscape. And thanks to its unique coastal culture, the Vega Islands are one of only eight areas in Norway listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vega is located just outside Brønnøysund and can be reached by ferry and express boat.
Ferry
If you are traveling by car, you can take a ferry to Igerøy on Vega from Horn, north of Brønnøysund, or from Tjøtta, south of Sandnessjøen.
See the schedule for the Horn – Igerøy ferry
See the schedule for Tjøtta – Igerøy ferry
Express boat
There is also an express boat service from Sandnessjøen city center to Gardsøya, or from Brønnøysund to Rørøy on Vega.
See the schedule for Sandnessjøen – Gardsøya
See the schedule for Brønnøysund – Rørøy
The varied and stunning landscape of Vega makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In the south and west, the island is dominated by several tall mountains that rise 7-800 meters above the sea, offering a magnificent view of the island and the archipelago. The rest of the island features relatively flat terrain, making it easy to explore by bike. It is a lush cultural landscape, interspersed with deciduous forests, marshlands, and numerous large and small fishing lakes.
The beautiful archipelago and extensive shallow water areas make Vega and Vegaøyan ideal for exploring by water, whether you’re kayaking, sailing, diving, or snorkeling. However, it’s important to be considerate of nature and wildlife, especially during the nesting season.
The rich diversity of nature on Vegaøyan results in an unusually abundant birdlife. The islands are home to approximately 110 breeding bird species and are listed as one of the most important bird areas in Europe. Additionally, the “main island” of Vega has a large population of moose and roe deer.
Vega World Heritage UNESCO
For over a thousand years, the people of Vegaøyan have had a truly unique relationship with the eider ducks in the archipelago. The fishing-farming families built houses and shelters for the birds, created nesting sites for them, and protected them throughout the breeding season. And when the birds left their nests, they left behind exquisite eiderdown feathers. These fine feathers could be collected by bird guardians and sold as luxury goods, such as down duvets. This special interaction between humans and animals is still very alive and is a crucial basis for the World Heritage status of Vegaøyan.
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit HelgelandActivities and Attractions – Things to Do on Vega and Ylvingen
Restaurants and cafés
Vega has several great places to eat, where food is prepared with love and care for the ingredients and dining experience. You’ll find both seafood and farm-to-table cuisine, featuring mostly local, locally sourced food on a menu that changes with the seasons.
Accommodation
Great hikes and trips on and around Vega
Practical information
Thank 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.
Eidem Beach
Eidem is a popular outdoor area with shallow beaches and simple play areas for football and volleyball. You’ll find two lean-tos, outdoor toilets, and a “changing cabin” that you can use when getting dressed for swimming or if you’re putting on a wetsuit for snorkeling or freediving.
View directions in Google Maps
Holmvatnet
Holmvatnet is a small lake on the northern side of Vega, not far from Vega Havhotell and Base Camp Vega. During the summer, there is usually a bathing dock and a water trampoline on the lake, and the area has outdoor toilets, a grill house, and a lean-to with a barbecue area.
View directions in Google Maps
Kjulstranda
This beautiful sandy beach on the southeast side of Vega is a great spot for swimming, paddling, and snorkeling. Parking near the beach is limited, so please be considerate. A good tip on hot days when there are many people enjoying the beach is to cycle from Rørøy fast boat quay. It’s a nice bike ride that takes about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. There is a lean-to with a fire pit at the beach, but no toilets.
View directions in Google Maps
Vegstein
This bathing spot is located near Vega Kystlag’s café and guest marina on the northeast side of Vega, just outside Gladstad. Since it has a shallow and sandy bottom, it’s great for younger children who just want to wade and play where they can touch the ground.
View directions in Google Maps
Valen at Ylvingen
A beautiful bathing spot with a sandy beach and a large shallow water area, a short walk or bike ride from Himmelblå Brygge on Ylvingen.
On the northern and western sides of Vega, there are few obstructions to the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights in the low coastal landscape, but there are some places that are particularly beautiful.
Gullsvågfjellet
This is one of the highest peaks on Vega and a challenging hike with a fantastic view as a reward. The hike is better suited for observing the Midnight Sun rather than the Northern Lights since it can be a long descent in the dark during winter, and the terrain can be steep and slippery.
Read more on UT.no
Trail from Sundsvold to Vegdalen
From Sundsvold, a marked trail follows along the coast to Vegdalen and further to Eidem. Along the trail, you have a great view of the sea, and you can see the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights behind the island of Søla in the sea just west of Sundsvold.
Read more UT.no
Vega Havhotell
Vega Havhotell is located on the northern side of Vega, offering panoramic views of the archipelago to the north, with the Holandsosen Nature Reserve nearby. From the hotel window or one of the small hills around the hotel, you can enjoy a beautiful view of both the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights.
Read more about Vega Havhotell
Floaksla
This is a short but steep mountain hike in the southern part of Vega, where you can enjoy a great view over large parts of the island to the north and Gullsvågfjellet in the west.
Read more on UT.no
Learn more about the Midnight Sun in Helgeland
Learn more about the Northern Lights in Helgeland
The Right of Access (“Allemannsretten”) in Norway allows you to camp in tents in all uncultivated land, as long as you keep a distance of 150 meters from cabins and houses.
We recommend using a designated camping site where you’ll have access to showers, toilets, waste disposal, parking, and activities.
However, if you still wish to tent camp or engage in wild camping, we recommend the following places:
Sundsvoll
At Sundsvoll, near Vegatrappa and Base Camp Vega, there is a camping area at Sundsvoll Camping and motorhome parking. There are toilets available, but no electricity or showers. Payment can be made via Vipps on-site.
Gardsøya Guest Harbor
View in Google Maps
Read more on Vel I Havn
Vega Coastal Association’s Guest Pier at Vegstein
View in Google Maps
Read more on Vel I Havn
Igerøy Harbor Association
View in Google Maps
Read more on Vel I Havn
Near Himmelblå Brygge on Ylvingen
View in Google Maps
Read more on the website of Himmelblå Brygge
Toilets at Sundsvoll
View with Google Maps
Outdoor toilet at Eidemstranda
View with Google Maps
Book your experience
Eider ducks, luxurious down and the bird guardians of Lånan
The largest eider duck nesting site on the Helgeland coast is situated in the Vega World Heritage area. You can join us on a visit to the island of Lånan, where the nesting eider ducks and their bird guardians have a trusting and mutually beneficial relationship.
The Ravnfloget Vega Via Ferrata and the Vega Stairs
“Climbing Ravnfloget has been a dream for many people. This rugged mountain was once a lofty playground accessible only to sea eagles and ravens, hence the name.” Today, the Ravnfloget Via Ferrata, a spectacular climbing trail, will take you to the summit of Ravnfloget. The mountain is situated on the western side of the island of Vega.
Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
To Norwegians, Himmelblå Brygge and the island of Ylvingen is well known from a popular TV programme. Fortunately, all visitors are welcome to dine and enjoy an overnight stay here. Some of the accommodation is unusual and the scenic surroundings are magnificent. And for young and old, Himmelblå Brygge offers lots of activities and great adventures!
Activity vacation on Ylvingen
This is the four-day vacation you need, with accommodation, meals, and activities on the beautiful ‘Himmelblå Island’ Ylvingen.
Base Camp Vega – kayaking, climbing and accommodation
At Base Camp Vega you can stay in mini-cabins whose unique design is inspired by the little huts the islanders build for the thousands of eider ducks that nest in the Vega archipelago every year. We also offer good spots where you can pitch your tent. Base Camp Vega is situated right by the Vega Stairs and the Ravnfloget Via Ferrata, and the sheltered waters nearby are perfect for kayaking.
