Bird Watching at Hornøya-Tickets and timetables

2025 SEASON

TIMETABLE - BOAT TO HORNØYA 

From the 10th to the 17th of march (Week 11) Trips are done on request.

FOR INQUIRIES AND TICKETS THE FIRST WEEK PLEASE CONTACT:  Vardø harbour (Cargo Terminal) Kaigata 26A, 9952 VARDO 

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From the 17th March and the rest of the season - Weekdays at 0900, 1000, 1200, 1430 and 1715 (last return) Weekends and public holidays 1000, 1200, 1430, 1715 (last return).

FOR INQUIRIES AND TICKETS PLEASE CONTACT:  Touristinformation office. Kaigata 18D, 9952 VARDØ 

PRICE: Adult NOK 630,- Children under 16 year NOK 315,- We accept all major credit cards. Cash (NOK only) and VIPPS from Nordic customers. SHOW UP 20 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE TO BUY YOUR TICKET.

Safety policy:

Please read the safety information leaflet and watch the safety instruction video inside the tourist information office or at the departure place for the boat.

Wait for signal from the boat driver before entering the gangway down to the floating dock

General information: 

Easternmost in Norway you will find the island Hornøya. The island is located in the Barents sea, approximately one kilometer from Vardø, just a 10 minute boat ride from Vardø Port. Already on the way up there you will get a feeling of what you are about to enter into. Looking up you will see full traffic with birds flying in and out as they are looking for food in the ocean.

From the dock on the island, the bird mountain will be seen right above you. Here you will find a wide variety of birds. For instance, you can experience colonies of polar lomvi, a known bird that only hatches in the arctic environments. Other birds you can spot include seabirds, puffins, auk, common murre, grebe, great cormorant, teal, crested cormorant and storm petrel.

Moving towards flatter areas, you will find the hatching grounds for lots of grey gulls, seagulls and great black-backed gulls. Hornøya and Varangerfjorden are also one of the most important winter dens for the arctic ducks.

Opposite to the arctic scenery on the north side of Varangerhalvøya, Hornøya has more flourishing vegetation as a result of fertilization from the birds on the island. The island is a protected nature reserve, therefore all areas are not available to the public. Some areas are restricted. Luckily, you can follow a path that lets you see nearly all of the birds up front.

Be sure to bring food, a warming beverage and of course your camera! Use the path and do not irritate the birds.

Pets are not allowed on the island.

Unfortunately there are no toilet facilites on the island at the moment.

Please respect the rules of the nature reserve at Reinøya and Hornøya. You are only allowed to be in the green areas on the map including the path that goes from the west side of the island to east side and the dirt road up to the light house.

‍Weather Policy:

 No one, including the weather forecast accurately predicts the wind and current conditions on the day of your scheduled trip to Hornøya.

 If the conditions are challenging  we make the sole decision in the morning of the trip wether or not to go over to the island, depending on the waves, currents and wind conditions.

 If we cancel a trip due to inclement weather or challenging waves currents and wind conditions, we give our customers the option to reschedule their trip.  If a trip cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be made.  

WE WISH YOU A PLEASANT STAY AT HORNØYA.

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