Bird Watching at Hornøya-TICKETS AND TIMETABLES - S E A S O N IS O V E R!

Thanks to all our customer in 2024. We will start up again with daily trips to the island app from the 10th of March 2025

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TIMETABLE - BOAT TO HORNØYA 

LAST DAY OF SERVICE THIS SEASON IS ON THURSDAY THE 15TH OF AUGUST 

From the 15. March and out the season - Weekdays at 0900, 1000, 1200, 1430 and 1715 (last return) Weekends and public holidays 1000, 1200, 1500, 1715 (last return) 

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PRICE: Adult NOK 600,- Children under 16 year NOK 300,-

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SELLING OFFICE: Vardø harbour (Cargo Terminal) Kaigata 26A, 9950 VARDO 
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NOTE: In the middle of june the touristinformation office will sell tickets to the boat to Hornøya. VARDØ HARBOUR DO NOT TRANSPORT PETS TO THE ISLAND

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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 catch 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.

We wish you a happy stay on this spectacular island.

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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.  

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