Here are some tips for you who want a taste of the life of a native Helgelander. That does, of course, mean getting close to the land and the sea, but it also means getting to know the people who have adapted to life here, their culture and their heritage.

Live amongst the Helgelanders

The best way to get a flavour of the life here is to find a place where you can actually live amongst the locals and see what their daily life is like. Here are some suggested accommodation options where you can do just that.

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Idyllic farm retreat on Dønna
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Augustbryggo – Restaurant with Local Food on Seløy
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Lyngvågen Café on Gjerdøya in Rødøy
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Raus Brewery
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Sauna in Træna’s Old Boathouse
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Løkta Museum
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Hunting the Northern Lights at Støtt
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Fertility Exhibition at Fallosen on Dønna
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Forvik Old Trading Post
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Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
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Restauranthuset Tipperary
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KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
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Galleri Stokland in Mosjøen
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Korgen Camping – An idyll by the Røssåga River
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Seil Norge – Sailing adventures on the Helgeland coast
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Træna museum
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Kvarøy activity hall
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I Ro og Mak at Straumen Farm
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Tømmerstua – A year-round log house at Strandli Farm
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Nordland Theatre – Magical Moments
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Tjøtta Gjestegaard – Accommodation and café in historical surroundings
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Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
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The Coast Coffee
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Træna Kaffekollektiv – Charming coffee bar in Træna
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Skolo – an architectural gem in Herøy
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Herøy Bygdesamling – A rural museum
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Falch Old Trading Post, Rødøy
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Exhibition: The Life and Work of Ole Edvart Rølvaag
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Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
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The Zahl building and the old sexton´s residence in Nesna
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To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
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Hattfjelldal Museum
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Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
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Velfjordferie – A holiday stay for guests who love fishing!
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Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
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Ristning-Tjaalege, Vevelstad museum and bygdetun
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Bolga Brygge – Sleep to the soothing sound of waves
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Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
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Bergh-brygga and Gammelskolen in Leirfjord
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Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood
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Norwegian Aquaculture Centre – A salmon success story
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Local food in Sømna
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Cosy farmhouse stay at Stavseng Gård
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Vega World Heritage Center
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Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
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Grønsvik coastal fortress, Lurøy
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Myken bed and soup
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Offersøy Camping Helgeland – Camping, boat and bike rental
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Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias
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Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
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Festspillene Helgeland
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Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
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Hattfjelldal Hotell – GoExtreme
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Savory farm food from Vega
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Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
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Selsøyvik Trading Post in Rødøy
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Skillevollen Sports Park
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Whisky Carthedral at Myken
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The Sami Way
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Plahtes Eiendommer – Fishing, hunting and wilderness adventures
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Bakarstuo – Year-round guesthouse by Trofors
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Winter dream at Støtt
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The Romantic House on Herøy
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Gildevangen Konditori – Lunch, coffee, and cakes
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Velfjord Museum
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Halibudskole Vandve – A holiday home with boat rental and a nearby glasblowers workshop
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3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
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Tampen Café on Kvarøy
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The Mountain Way
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Guest Houses in the historic area in Mosjøen
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Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
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Rana Museum, Stenneset open-air Museum and Bredek Mountain Farm
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Grane Museum
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Sijti Jarnge – Center for sami language and culture
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Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
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The Petter Dass Museum
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Bindal Museum and the old croft at Vassås
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Sømna Bygdetun – An open-air museum
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Aloha Cafe on Træna
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Træna Arctic Fishing
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Your own island adventure at Myken Lighthouse
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Træna overnatting (Accommodation)
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Bitteliten Gård – A peaceful island farm experience
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Gilles Cafe & Restaurant in Mosjøen
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Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
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Inderdalen Gård – Charming farm stay with rich history
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Bysprinten ski festival
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Eider ducks, luxurious down and the bird guardians of Lånan
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Vevelstad Gjestegård and Rorbuer
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Kulturbadet in Sandnessjøen
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Etcetera – botaniske utskeielser
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Terråk Gjestegård – Comfortable Accommodation and Good Food in Bindal
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Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
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Kråkeslottet – Unique woollen design at Hemnesberget
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Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
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Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
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Jacobsenbrygga and the folk museum in Mosjøen
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Svang Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
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Augustbryggo – Accommodation on Seløy in Herøy
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Hemnes open-air museum
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Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
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Sæterstad Gård
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An evening wilderness adventure with a taste of Sámi culture
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Dønnes Skolestua – Accommodation and RV parking
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Hildurs Urterarium – Accommodation
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Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures

Learn our heritage

The natives of Helgeland and the lives they lead are shaped by nature. We come from a long line of fishermen-farmers, who tilled patches of fertile land, kept hardy livestock, rowed out onto the sea to catch fish, and were caretakers of the eider ducks that come to nest each year. Their heritage includes the Sámi reindeer herders who followed their migrating flocks as they roamed the mountains. Our ancestors were boat-builders and iron-workers, sailors and merchants – and some of us still are.

We have seen many summer nights lit by the midnight sun, but also cold dark winter days when the sun scarcely rose up to the horizon. Use your imagination; how do you think this has shaped life in Helgeland? How did we live in centuries past? And how are our lives and identities formed today?

Dine with the Helgelanders

One of the best ways to know the locals is to eat with them and take part in the conversation that flows naturally over a hearty meal. Listen to the music of our dialects, and how they might be subtly different from those of the neighbouring table, people who might be from another village, the next valley over, or perhaps a different island. In Helgeland there are many vibrant local communities, each of them distinct. To share a meal with us is to taste the local culture!

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Whisky Carthedral at Myken
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Augustbryggo – Restaurant with Local Food on Seløy
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Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
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Restauranthuset Tipperary
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Gildevangen Konditori – Lunch, coffee, and cakes
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Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
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Tjøtta Gjestegaard – Accommodation and café in historical surroundings
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Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
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Træna Kaffekollektiv – Charming coffee bar in Træna
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Skolo – an architectural gem in Herøy
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Tampen Café on Kvarøy
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Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
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Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
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Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
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Lyngvågen Café on Gjerdøya in Rødøy
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Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
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KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
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Savory farm food from Vega
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Gilles Cafe & Restaurant in Mosjøen
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Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
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Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
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Forvik Old Trading Post
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Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
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Svang Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
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Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
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Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
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Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
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Aloha Cafe on Træna
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Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
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Terråk Gjestegård – Comfortable Accommodation and Good Food in Bindal
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Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
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Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
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To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
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The Coast Coffee
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Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
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Selsøyvik Trading Post in Rødøy
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3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
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Vega World Heritage Center
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Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood
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Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience

Join the locals on an excursion

You are, of course, free to explore Helgeland on your own. But a knowledgeable local guide can greatly enrich the voyage. They can teach you about the history and heritage of the places you visit, give you good advice and, if you are lucky, show you some hidden gems.

A weekend of high adventure on the lofty peaks!

The picturesque Meløy Alps offers some of the wildest off-piste skiing in Northern Norway!

A glacier trek on Svartisen

Join us for an exotic adventure: a guided glacier trek on Engabreen. The experienced guides from Meløy Adventure will ensure that this is a safe and unforgettable adventure.

RIB sea rafting trips with Meløy Adventure

You are invited to join Meløy Adventure on a RIB sea-rafting adventure to the island of Rødøya and Rødøyløva (443 m). Other great options include a sea-rafting safari to explore the scenic Nordfjord, the spectacular island of Træna, or a visit to the remote island of Myken with a tour of its whisky distillery. These excursions start from Ørnes in Meløy municipality – but for your convenience you can request to be picked up elsewhere en route.

Kayaking the waters around Ylvingen

Based on the island of Ylvingen, Himmelblå Brygge offers introductory and more advanced kayaking courses, kayak rentals, and guided kayaking trips on the nearby waters. Their beautiful island is situated just south of Vega.

Sailing trips to Vega, Lånan and Torghatten

You are invited on an unforgettable sailing trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Area of the islands of Vega and the eider duck nesting site, Lånan, that for many generations has been protected by the islanders. Or choose a voyage to the legendary mountain with a hole through it, Torghatten.

Tailored boat trips with Sea Adventure Helgeland

How would you like a cruise along the Helgeland coast, designed to show you and your friends the very best the scenic region has to offer? Or how about a shuttle boat that quickly takes you where you want, exactly when you want? Sea Adventure Helgeland offers you boat trips tailored to your needs and wishes.

An exciting half-day rafting adventure at Trofors with RiverNorth

RiverNorth’s most popular excursion is the Half-Day Rafting Adventure. You get to challenge big waves – and see if you’re brave enough to dive from a cliff!

Visit the recreated Viking chiefdom seat in Sandnessjøen

You are invited to an authentic Viking experience! Bring your family or friends and see the clothes and customs, partake in activities, and enjoy a Viking banquet.

Winter dream at Støtt

Do you dream of going from the hustle of the big city to “winter world” where the polar lights and the northern lights create magic? Visit the island Støtt and be close to nature, culture and history.

Plura Valley in Rana – A divers paradise!

Many experienced divers consider Plura Valley to offer world-class diving. Their facility offers everything you need for a perfect diving holiday. Moreover, they are situated right by the entrance of the underwater cave, Pluragrotta.

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