Skjervøy

Skjervøy muncipality has approximately 3.000 inhabitants and covers a area of 477,6 km2. The municipality´s administrative centre is Skjervøy. In Skjervøy the "Skjervøy King" ruled 300 years ago, a tough, flamboyant merchant who controlled local society. Nowadays it is fish and fish prosessing which provides a living for the local population. Most of the municipality´s inhabitants live on several islands. Skjervøy is the biggest and have approximately 2.400 inhabitants. The other islands which have people live on is Arnøy, Laukøy, Kågen, Vorterøy and Uløy.

The island municipality is surrounded by the Norwegian Sea to the north, Ullsfjorden to the west, Lyngenfjorden to the southwest, Reisafjorden to the southeast, and Kvænangenfjorden to the east. The municipality consists of several islands, the major one being Arnøya, with the villages of Årviksand, Akkarvik, and Arnøyhamn. Most people live on the relatively small island of Skjervøya, in the central village of Skjervøy with its sheltered harbour.

The other islands include Haukøya, Kågen, Laukøya, Vorterøya, and the northern half of Uløya. Kågen and Skjervøya are connected by the Skjervøy Bridge. Kågen is connected to the mainland by the Maursund Tunnel. The village of Maursund is an old trading post with well preserved 19th century houses.

SKJERVØY

Skjervøy is a village and the administrative centre in the municipality of Skjervøy. The village is located on the island of Skjervøya along the Kvænangen, near the mouth of the Reisafjorden. The village´s economy is based on the fishing industry. Lerøy Aurora processing plant is located at Skjervøy Island. On Skjervøy you can find the oldest wooden church in Nord-Hålogaland parish, built in 1728.

Skjervøy is also known as the first port of call of the Artic ship Fram after Nansen´s 3year long North Pole expedition in 1896. The Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) has daily departures.

The Skjervøy Bridge or Skattørsundet Bridge is a beam bridge in the municipality of Skjervøy that crosses the Skattørsundet strait between the islands of Kågen and Skjervøya. The 804 metre long bridge has 40 spans, the longest of which is 32 metres. Skjervøy Bridge was opened in 1971. Together with the Maursund Tunnel, it connects the village of Skjervøy to the mainland.

SKJERVØY CHURCH

Skjervøy Church dates back to 1728 and it is the oldest wooden church in Troms county.

MAURSUNDET

Maursundet is one of two tunnel´s you had to pass to get to Skjervøy. The tunnel is 2.130 metres long. The village of Maursund is an old trading post with well preserved 19th century houses. The Maursund Tunnel goes under the Maursundet strait connecting the mainland part of Nordreisa with the island of Kågen in Skjervøy. The 2,122 metre long tunnel reaches a depth of −92.5 metres below sea level and has a 10% grade in some parts of the tunnel. The tunnel, which was opened in 1991, and the nearby Skattørsundet Bridge connect the large village of Skjervøy to the mainland.

KÅGENTUNNEL

Kågentunnelen is one of two tunnel´s you had to pass to get to Skjervøy. The tunnel is 1.730 metres long.

KVÆNANGFJORD

Kvænangfjord is a fjord in the municipalities of Kvænangen and Skjervøy. The 72-kilometre long fjord stretches from the Norwegian Sea to the village of Kvænangsbotn. The Reisafjorden is a large fjord which branches off the Kvænangfjord to the west. The European route E06 highway crosses the fjord on the Sørstraumen Bridge where the fjord is only about 350 metres wide, just west of Sekkemo.

There are a number of islands in the fjord. On the west side of the fjord are the islands of Arnøya, Laukøya, Skjervøya, and Kågen. The smaller islands of Haukøya, Rødøya, Skorpa, Nøklan, and Spildra are located in the middle of the fjord.

COASTAL STEAMER (HURTIGRUTA)

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 Steamer is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you. See the pictures from the Coastal Steamer taken by one of our passengers.

MIDNIGHT SUN

We have the Midnight Sun in our region from 20th May - 20th July. During this period, the sun stays above the horizon, and it is light 24 hours a day. The sky must be clear and there must be unobstructed visibility northwards in order to see the Midnight Sun. A summer night on the fjord or in the mountains is an experience not to be missed, you can go fishing in the fjord, which contains splendid variation of fish, or you can take a walk in the wilderness surrounding.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Aurora Borealis is the Latin name for the Northern Lights – solar winds that meet the atmosphere in a zone around the magnetic North Pole. The Northern Lights are only visible when the sky is dark and clear, from August to April, and they are most intense from 10 pm to midnight. The region on the 700 northern latitude is a fantastic place for experiencing the beautiful and intense play of colours given off by the Northern Lights.

POLAR NIGHT

The dark time, or the long, dark Polar Night, lasts from 30th November - 12th January - there is only a twilight-dusk type of light (the blue light) for a few hours during the middle of the day. This does not mean that it becomes totally dark, however. The aurora borealis trails its multicoloured banner across the sky and the moon lights the scene just like the nightlight of Our Lord. The experience of the winter with the uniqueness of the light, the northern lights and snow is fantastic. Especially beautiful is the blue light southwards, just before it becomes dark.

FISHING

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.

GOLF

Golfclubs in Troms.