Havøysund

Havøysund (Ávanuorri in Northern Sami) is a fishing town at the northern edge of Norway, in Finnmark county on the Barents Sea coast. It is the administrative centre of Måsøy Municipality. The town sits on the small island of Havøya and is linked to the mainland by the Havøysund Bridge. It suits travellers who want a side of Norway far from the usual routes: windswept, raw and tied closely to the sea.

Where is Havøysund and how many people live there?

The village covers just 0.63 square kilometres and had 915 residents in 2023, a density of roughly 1,450 people per square kilometre. It lies at around 71 degrees north, among the northernmost settlements in Europe. The bridge means you can drive in without a ferry, and Hurtigruten ships also call at the harbour.

What does the town live on?

The settlement grew around fishing. A good harbour and rich fishing grounds nearby made it an important landing point. Boats still bring in cod, crab and halibut, and local processing plants keep the harbour busy. In earlier times Havøysund also took part in the Pomor trade with Russia.

What is Havøysund like after the war?

In 1944 retreating German forces destroyed the town and the residents were evacuated. Most older buildings were lost. Today's look comes from postwar reconstruction, visible in rows of practical houses known as gjenreisingshus, or "reconstruction houses". You will not find a historic old town, but you will see a clear picture of how Finnmark rebuilt itself after the war.

What to see in and around Havøysund

• Måsøy Museum – a red building that originally served as a rectory. It is devoted to coastal heritage, and its collection includes 19th-century fishing tools.
• Gavlen wind farm – the turbines are a landmark on the skyline. A viewpoint and a café look out over the Barents Sea.
• Hjelmsøystauren – a bird cliff off the coast, described as hosting one of the greatest varieties of bird species on a single bird mountain in Europe.
• Wildlife – Arctic foxes roam the hills nearby and sea eagles circle above the cliffs.

When to visit Havøysund

At this latitude summer brings the midnight sun, which stays up for many weeks, while winter brings polar night and a chance of northern lights. Wind is a constant companion in every season, so pack windproof clothing and warm layers. Go if you are interested in a fishing community and Arctic nature rather than extensive tourist infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Havøysund? By car over the Havøysund Bridge, which connects Havøya island to the mainland, or by sea: Hurtigruten ships call at the port.

What is Havøysund called in Sami? Ávanuorri, in Northern Sami.

How many people live in Havøysund? 915 in 2023.

Is the old architecture preserved? Mostly not. The town was destroyed in 1944 and its present look comes from postwar rebuilding.

What is the main livelihood? Fishing and fish processing, mainly cod, crab and halibut.