Now you can become a volunteer tourist on Træna and receive free accommodation at House by the Sea in exchange for participating in volunteerism – contributing and becoming a part of the local community.

At the outermost part of the Helgeland coast lies Træna, one of Norway’s smallest municipalities and one of Norway’s most beautiful island clusters. House by the Sea is an accommodation with magnificent views of the midnight sun and the spectacular Trænstaven. Last year, they started with volunteer tourism, where overnight guests could stay for free in the unique cabins, in exchange for contributing to community volunteer work.

In 2023, in collaboration with the Hurtigruten Foundation and Træna Municipality, work was done on the hiking trails on the island of Sanna. These are great initiatives that help guide hikers in a gentle way to protect vulnerable nature and wildlife.

Øya Sanna sett fra lufta Marvin Kuhr / Visit Helgeland

The volunteer work takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and on Friday evening, there’s a pleasant welcome dinner, planning, and lectures focusing on the ocean, circularity, and the fight against plastic pollution.

Træna is a group of islands located at the outermost edge of the Helgeland coast. The easiest way to get here is by the express boat route Nordlandsekspressen from Bodø or Sandnessjøen, or by ferry or express boat from Stokkvågen.

Read more about the trip to Træna here

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.

Welcome to Træna

Far out at sea, with only the open ocean and Iceland as its next neighbor to the west, you’ll find the Træna archipelago. Out here, the “sea people” reside, along with fish and birds, amidst hundreds of large and small islands, islets, and reefs.

Read more about Træna

Explore more