Hornoya
4.5
About
Hornoya is the eastermost protected nature reserve in Norway. Here you can go ashore and experience a plentiful bird life up close. The island has one of the largest seabird colonies in Norway, including Razorbill, Atlantic puffin, European shag, Common guillemot, Brünnich's guillemot, Black-legged kittiwake, Great black-backed gull and Herring gull. Vardo Harbour offers transportation by boat. The passage from Vardo to Hornoya takes about 10 minutes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
28 reviews
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1
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1
Simon J
Ware, UK31 contributions
Apr 2022
We were unable to go to the Island, having travelled a long distance. We stayed in Vardo for 4 days, but for each day the boat was unable to land due to the wave height. Of course, safety is important, but it seems the landing station must be basic, and if the wind comes from the East, landing may not be possible. I write this only to forewarn other people who may travel just to come to Hornoya.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
backpacker_solo
Tromso, Norway90 contributions
Jul 2016
Went for three days photographing the seabirds at Hornøya. The boat takes 10 minutes each way, first boat leaves 9am, last comes in 5 pm. Cost 400 NOK, and totally worth the money! You can see puffins, kittiwakes, shags, razorbills, guillemots, European herring gull, great black-backed gull and more, all less than 1/2-1 meter away! I went in early July when the common guillemot's chicks jump to get to the water for the first time. Quite dangerous, as they can hurt themselves or fall prey to a predator bird. Some good fathers follow their chicks to the water, which is quite touching as they cheer them on and encourage them to continue. I went both in good and bad weather and I recommend both as the chicks jumps mostly in good and non-windy weather, but I had most luck with the puffins in bad weather.. I recommend bringing suitable cloths which you easily can wash such as gore-tex and something to cover your head as you can get a spray of guano from behind photographing..a rain cover for your back-pack is great too..
Written July 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nightingale1972
Terre Haute, Indiana, USA325 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Hornoya is home to thousands of seabirds, auks, puffins, guillemots, gulls, razorbills, and many more. The island is a short boat ride from Vardo harbor (about 10 minutes), There is a dock landing, but it can be tricky in rough water. The trail on the island is easy to follow and allows one to view birds engaged in different activities, such as nesting, breeding, fighting, killing. This was the first time I was able to photograph a puffin with a mouthful of fish. Highly recommended for those interested in bird-watching!
Written July 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dicka
Ashland, Oregon191 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
A short (5 minute) boat ride takes you to this place, which is a bird sanctuary. Guillemots, puffins, razorbills and gulls by the thousands. And, if one spends a couple of hours, one is likely to see a White-tailed Eagle make a pin attack. A wild place. Note: getting off the boat at the island landing can be tricky in bumpy seas.
Written June 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
22 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The small island Hornoya is easly reached from Vardo harbour by a short boat trip. Hornoya is renown for the massive amount of breeding seabirds, like Puffins, Guillemots and other Auks, Gulls, Skuas etc. The birds aren't shy at all and can be seen close up. The sight of the huge number of breeding birds in the cliffs is very impressive. A trip to Hornoya is a must for all nature enthusiasts visiting the area.
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TK A
9 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We’ve never experienced anything like this, so many birds that they cloud the skies. The sounds and the smells and the atmosphere is so unique. Sea-eagles and polar birds everywhere.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
מיקי י
Even Yehuda, Israel1 contribution
Jul 2018 • Couples
We spend an hour on this amazing ilsland ,and watch the teeming activity of tens of
thousends of different type of birds
thousends of different type of birds
Written July 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Met812
Brisbane, Australia58 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
About a 5 minute boat ride from Vardo Harbour. It is a reserve so you have to watch a safety and info video before departure. When you arrive you are overwhelmed by the noise, smell and amount of birds. Follow the paths and you can see some birds nesting. This is a paradise for bird watchers. Couple of hours is enough if you are not a bird lover. Ensure you wear correct shoes, jackets and take supplies if you want to eat or drink. When I went some of the paths were closed so lots of people trying to walk along narrow path both ways
Written July 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piritta
Swakopmund, Namibia17 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Mind-blowing experience to see thousands of birds nesting on the island and walk - literally - amongst them! They do not mind humans. And the coolest stars of the island are the lovely puffins! You can get amazing shots of them, from portraits to in-flight pictures. And from many other interesting species, too. To me as a wildlife photographer this place was a must! The ferry ticket is expensive (600 NOK for a round trip, for a 10 min journey), but it was totally worth it! It’s best to leave to the island on the first possible ferry in the morning. And you can spend the whole day there, if you want to. The last ferry back to mainland leaves at 5pm. Wear warm clothes, the winds are always chilly! And prepare to be amazed. We also saw some seals. Amazing place!
Written July 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JakkeRome
Rome, Italy3 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
There are NO ferries on Sundays to the island any more. So very nice to drive hour there and hour back for nothing!
If the birds are gone for the season, just say it. And put the info right!
If the birds are gone for the season, just say it. And put the info right!
Written August 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soili S
Helsinki, Finland
Are puffins still on Hornoya in August? How about other birds?
Written July 7, 2018
Bonjour,
je devrais y aller en mai. Savez-vous si le bateau pour aller sur l'île fonctionne à cette périsode?
merci
Written March 31, 2017
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