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Villages and places

Espevær

Espevær is an outstanding little island community in the sea west of Bømlo. The houses on this car-free island are on the lee side, down by the water’s edge, sheltered from wind and sea spray.

Øysamfunnet Espevær på Bømlo. Kabelferge.
Øysamfunnet Espevær på Bømlo. © Ranveig Nesse

Experience the charming, car-free island of Espevær off the Bømlo coast.

Hummarparken lobster park was built in 1887 and restored in 1994. It is a unique heritage site. Hummarparken is the biggest lobster park in the country, and is now a museum and aquarium. You can take a guided tour or rafting tour of the hall, where lobsters roam freely in the summer.

Baadehuset museum gives you an insight into the era when Espevær was an important part of the herring fishery. This is because historically, Espevær was the biggest fishing village in Bømlo, attracting as many as 30,000 fishermen during the rich herring fishery years of the 1850s. The building was erected in 1850 on old stone walls dating back to 1690, and is now a museum. A shop and café are open here during the summer.

Espevær is famous for its ‘UFO ring’, which appeared in 1975 and can still be seen just as clearly. Tourists can walk from Espevær to see the ‘UFO ring’.

You can also take a cable ferry in Espevær.
The cable ferry was built at the Mæhles Machine Shop in Baadeholmen. It began operating in 1978 across the 45-metre-wide strait between Baadeholmen and Garvika. The cable ferry is coin operated and costs NOK 20 each way, with the trip taking around two minutes. You can take the ferry at any time of the day or night, and there is space for four people on board.

The Gamleposten 5444 restaurant is open in summer – a place where you can enjoy local delicacies and a taste of history.

From Eidesvik in Langevåg, a daily boat service runs to and from Espevær. The crossing takes around 10 minutes. MS Venemøy and Kystoppleving are happy to tailor-make boat trips for you.

Experience Espevær

Små og store opplevingar på Espevær

The UFO circle

The UFO circle

For more than 40 years ago an oval circle suddently appeared on a field on the island Espevær next to Bømlo. Still, no one have been able to solve the question about how the circle appeared.

Lobster park - Espevær

Lobster park - Espevær

Experience a cathedral of wood, stone, water, light and dark. An improbable construction covering 950 m2 of water surface. Hear the lobster fishing tales and see old fishing gear.

Espevær at Bømlo

Espevær at Bømlo

Espevær is a unique small island community out at sea, west of Bømlo. The houses are clustered closely together in the sheltered strait, protected from ocean swells and winds — and the island is car-free!

Vedvik beach

Vedvik beach

Vedvik is beautiful little beach, a pier, toilet, gapahuk and parking.

All activities related to Espevær

How to get there

Are you travelling by car or public transport? Wondering how to get there? We can help you!

Getting to and around SunnhordlandSee the map

Culinary experiences

Gamleposten 5444

Gamleposten 5444

Gamleposten 5444 in Espevær is a magical dining place with local flavours and history. Local traditions, history and flavours that give genuine cuisine.

Biekronå, Espevær guest harbor

Biekronå, Espevær guest harbor

A distinctive nesting place with its own cultural mementos, Espevær lies at the very extreme of the Bømla fjord. 

All accommodations related to Espevær

Upcoming events

Islands - Travel inspiration

Utsira

Utsira

Utsira is an island west of Haugesund, and it is Norway’s smallest municipality in terms of population. The island is known for its rich birdlife and world-class street art.

Røvær

Røvær

Røvær is a group of islands 25 minutes by boat from the centre of Haugesund. The island has no cars and a population of around 80.

Runde and the coast of Sunnmøre

Runde and the coast of Sunnmøre

Outer, southern Sunnmøre is Ålesund’s unpolished and outgoing neighbour. An archipelago of small villages, communities and fantastic experiences.

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