Måsøy: Fishing Village on Måsøya

Måsøy is the fishing village on Måsøya, whose history tells of both ecclesiastical and municipal importance, as well as personal stories. For your stay, it is also worth looking beyond the village itself: the wider Måsøy destination encompasses an extensive island world and offers routes, coastal history and nature experiences. You can therefore tailor your search for a holiday home according to whether you want the village itself or a broader range of regional destinations to shape your stay.

A fishing village with a long history

Måsøy had its own church as early as 1668. The village was also once the municipal seat; in the 18th century, it was the centre of the surrounding area and gave the municipality of Måsøy its name. These two historical milestones tell different sides of the village’s story: its ecclesiastical significance and its former role in the area. Another story leads to Madam Juel, a café owner from Copenhagen who lived on Måsøy for many years. Personal stories are also part of the picture of this fishing village.

Måsøy is connected to the municipal centre by express boat. If this connection is important to your travel plans, check the current departures in advance. This gives you a practical point of reference for your journey, alongside the village’s history, without assuming a specific departure time.

In the wider Måsøy destination

The wider Måsøy destination comprises five larger islands and almost 400 smaller islands, islets and skerries. The Havøysund National Scenic Route runs for 67 kilometres from Kokelv to Havøysund. It can be combined with National Cycle Route 1 and also follows EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route. However, it is not signposted as a cycling route; wind and weather can affect cycling conditions.

In Havøysund, the Havøysund Artwork installation stands at Ørahaugen: two glass objects are housed in an architecturally designed wooden hut. Also in Havøysund, the Måsøy Museum is located in the old vicarage, one of the first reconstruction houses in Måsøy after Finnmark was burnt down during the Second World War. The museum tells the story of life in the far north of Finnmark, including fishing, reconstruction and everyday life in a society shaped by the coastal climate.

Further traces of history can be found in Selvika. There are cultural heritage sites and settlement remains dating from the Stone Age and from Sámi culture. A nature trail runs along the Fotefar mot nord route. Russehula is another historical site in the destination: it is easy to reach from the road and offers an impression of the living conditions of the Russians who hid there from the Germans during the war.

Coastal landscapes and excursion ideas

The sheltered sandy beach of Sandbukta lies at the innermost end of Selvika Bay. From Havøysund, an approximately half-hour hike leads to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen, with views of the Arctic Ocean and the nearby islands. If you prefer to plan an excursion using a specific time estimate, you’ll find an approximate duration here; the hike and the beach also offer different ways to experience the coastal landscape.

On Rolvsøya, the sandy beaches at Eines and Persand invite you to swim in the Arctic Ocean on warm summer days. The island’s marshes are known for their rich birdlife; the northernmost populations of black-tailed godwits breed there. Hjelmsøystauren is one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs and a breeding ground for numerous bird species. These natural highlights add very different points of interest to the village’s history and post-war reconstruction story. Which of them matters to you can help determine your choice of base in the wider Måsøy destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Snefjord, Havøysund.

Go to the main travel overview: Måsøy.