Båtsfjord

Norways largest fishing community and the largest fishing port of any Nordic country. Largest fishing community in terms of landed quantities and export value, and also the country`s most modern fishing industry. The municipality is located on the North side of the Varangerhalvøya peninsula and has approximately 2.100 inhabitants and lies in Finnmark. Surface area are 1.433,4 km2. Archeological finds truly traces of an ancient hunting culture 6-7000 years back in time. Permanent settlement in the outer fringes of the borough from 15th-16th centuries. A benevolent natural harbour has laid the foundation for the town of Båtsfjord that has undergone great changes since World War II.

Finnmark's highest mountain pass is Ordofjell 358 m.a.s. Trade and Industry is fishing and fish processing. Midnight Sun from 18 May - 26 July. Polar nights from 17 november - 31 January. Experience Finnmark's untamed landscape. Take a walk along one of the many trails in the borough. An outdoor enthusiast's Eldorado for hunting, deep sea and sports fishing. Women's ski run in May that attracts participants from all over the country. The Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) has daily departures. See the pictures from the Coastal Steamer taken by one of our passengers.

BÅTSFJORD CHURCH

Consecrated on 20 may 1971. The church has one of Europe`s largest stained glass windows, 85 m2.

SYLTEFJORD

A recently abandoned fishing community. Places too see include a local history exhibition and Syltefjord chapel. There are also traces of the ancient hunting culture (5000-6000 years ago). At Syltefjord school there is a local history exhibition that includes hunting and fishing implements, and some magazines from the early 1900s.

SKARVSKITEN

Small nesting cliff. Accessible by foot, 1 km along a trail.

SYLTEFJORDSTAUREN

Syltefjord is one of Norway`s largest and most important bird colonies. It is home to a number of species, including gannets. The cliffs have been declared a wildlife reserve. There are also about 250 individuals of a local seal species called havert( a type of hooded seal). In outer Syltevika two church sites and clustered sites from houses from the Middle ages and from more resent times, as well as traces of a Stone Age settlement.

SYLTEVIKVANN LAKE

Syltevikvann lies about 7 km west of Hamningberg and is the site of an old Sami sacrificial circle. The circle has a slightly oval shape and consists of stones 6.7 metres. In diameter that stand on a beach ridge with an unobstructed view over Syltevikvann.

HAMNIBERG

This abandoned fishing village is a cultural heritage site with an intact set of buildings, and is the best-preserved fishing village from pre-war times. There are also war memorials, and a fascinating landscape. By road (Highway E75) from Vardø.

MAKKAUR

Abandoned fishing village and trading post with attractions such as Makkaur Lighthouse, fortifications from WW2, shipwreck, old sites and two churchyards. Continuous habitation from the Middle Ages to WW2. The village was not burnt down during WW 2.

MAKKAUR LIGHTHOUSE

One of the few lighthouses along the Norwegian coast that still manned. It was erected in 1928.

HAMNEFJELL MOUNTAIN

Norway`s tallest telecommunications mast, 241,8 metres high, stands on one of the highest mountains in Båtsfjord. Fantastic view across the Barents sea and Varanger Peninsula.

VARANGERHALVØYA NATIONAL PARK

The Park is approximately 1.804 km2. Established in in 2006 in the municipalities of Båtsfjord, Nesseby, Vadsø and Vardø.

The area gave the name to the Varangian glaciation episode. A large part of this peninsula, including the town Vardø located on an island just east of the mainland, has an arctic tundra climate. However, on the south coast, including the town Vadsø, there is sufficient summer heat for birch trees to grow.

The landscape is formed before the Ice Age, when the entire country was covered by ice. The ice have marked the landscape whith a quite unique landscape forms. The flora and fauna have species from the Arctic and East Sibir (Russia).

Sami culture and tradition has left behind a wealth of traces and stories linked to the region. In old Sami culture, plants, animals and places all possessed souls and had considerable significance for day-to-day life.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage is a voyage like no other. Nothing can compare with it. Nothing about this journey will resemble anything you have ever experienced before. A ticket for the Coastal Express is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you.

FISHING

A mecca for fishermen, especially in the summer, when fishermen from all over the country gather here for big catches. Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can take a fishing trip out on the ocean. You can fish for salmon, sea trout and Arctic trout. Be aware that there are a number of special rules in regards to fishing. Remember to purchase a fishing licence.