Sørarnøy – between coastal paths, island hopping and boating experiences

On Sørarnøy, coastal paths, cycling trips and experiences on the water come together. A bridge connects Sør-Arnøy and Nord-Arnøy; a regional express boat service and a ferry connection also call at Sør-Arnøy. You can plan your trip around whether you prefer to travel on foot, explore the islands by bike or include a boating experience.

Getting around on foot and by bike

A marked hiking trail runs along the coast from the bridge between Sør-Arnøy and Nord-Arnøy to Nordarnøy Coastal Fort. If you’re looking for a route with a specific destination, you can include this walk in your day’s plans. On the island of Sør-Arnøy, there is also a covered shelter near the bridge over the Arnøysundet. It has three walls, benches and tables.

A cycling trip can also be planned as island hopping: it can start at the express boat landing on Sør-Arnøy and continue to the far end of Nord-Arnøy. The bridge connecting the two islands makes both names relevant to this trip. If you’d like to include several ways of getting around in your trip, you can choose between a coastal path to the fort and a cycling route between the islands. The Arnøyene also have hikes through easy and varied terrain.

Boating experiences and fishing

Aasgardr Service is based on Sør-Arnøy and offers island hopping, boat transfers and adventure tours in open or enclosed RIB boats. The main difference to consider when planning is the type of outing: a cycling trip crosses the bridge to Nord-Arnøy, while the activities mentioned here focus on boat trips.

Arnøy Havfiske offers guided fishing experiences from Sør-Arnøy. These include accommodation in a rorbu, a boat, fishing equipment and a guide. Possible target species include halibut, redfish and cod. On Nord-Arnøy, Arnøy Brygge rents out 11 boats; a fishing boat with a guide is recommended for fishing trips there.

Getting here and finding your way

The regional Bodø–Sandnessjøen express boat service (NEX, route 23-731) calls at Sør-Arnøy, where it connects with the local route. The ferry service in Gildeskål also runs via Sund, Horsdal and Sør-Arnøy. The village has a ferry quay. Follow the main road through Sør-Arnøy for a few minutes to reach the bridge over the Arnøysundet to Nord-Arnøy. These transport connections can help you choose where to stay: consider whether you’d prefer to travel by express boat, ferry, bike or on foot.

Birdlife and local places

The island of Sør-Arnøya is home to a diverse range of birdlife. In the wider area of the Arnøyene, you’ll also find several guest harbours and moorings for leisure boats.

Jonbrygga, a café and pub on Sør-Arnøy, is part of the local character. Pellerie Kafe og bar is next to the shop on Sør-Arnøy and is mentioned as a place to stop for a coffee or something sweet. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Sørarnøy, you can choose your location based on the activities that matter to your trip: hiking trails and the coast, cycling across the bridge, or the boating and fishing experiences described above.

More places: Inndyr, Sandhornøy, Nygårdsjøen, Storvik.

For the broader travel overview: Gildeskål.