Discover Havnnes
Havnnes is a living 19th-century trading post on Uløya in the Lyngenfjord. Stay in historic houses and apartments, rent robust Kværnø 19-ft aluminum boats for self-drive sea fishing, and use Havnnes as your quiet base for cycling, hiking, museum visits, sauna and jacuzzi, and northern lights (aurora borealis). The local Giævers Landhandel shop covers essentials. Ferries connect Rotsund ↔ Havnnes ↔ Uløybukt year-round. Travel time from Tromsø Airport to the Rotsund ferry is typically 2,5 to 3,5 hours depending on conditions.
Summer:
sea fishing, midnight sun, bikes and beaches
Summer is peak sea fishing. Our fleet of 19-ft Kværnø boats is built for stability and changing weather, with modern safety and cleaning facilities. Typical catches in the Lyngenfjord area include cod, saithe (pollock), halibut, wolffish and redfish. Daily safety checks and catch registration are required under Norwegian sea angling law — we use the GoFish system for easy reporting. On land, rent e-bikes and follow forest roads and island routes with fjord views. The midnight sun is visible in the Lyngenfjord region roughly 20 May to 22 July, so plan late-evening sessions when waters calm down. If you want a break from the fjord, we can connect you with Reisa riverboat tours into Reisa National Park to see canyons and the 269-meter Mollisfossen waterfall, and other activities in the region.
Spring:
long light, firm snow mornings, soft corn afternoon
Spring is the overlap you want: more daylight, strong snowpack and often stable weather windows. Expect firm morning ascents and corn turns later, plus growing chances for sunny days on the fjord as fishing and cycling ramp up again. The classic ski window on Uløya runs February to early May in most years.
Autumm:
berries, mushrooms, colour and quiet
Autumn flips the palette from green to gold and red. Forest paths fill with mushrooms and wild berries. Daylight shortens, but temperatures and winds often make it the best season for slow travel, photography and day hikes. The first dark nights bring the Aurora back.
Winter:
northern lights, ski touring, sauna & wales
Havnnes has low light pollution and open fjord skies, which makes it a strong Northern Lights base. Ski touring on Uløya ranges from manageable summit days to the well-known 20-km Uløya traverse linking Blåtinden, Uløytinden and Kjelvågtinden. Always check avalanche forecasts and choose terrain that matches the conditions. Our sauna and outdoor jacuzzi are in high demand in winter and run year-round. From late October to late January, orca and humpback follow herring into the Skjervøy area. We can organise whale watching tour straight from Havnnes and connect you with dog sledding and snowmobile partners in the region.
Practical winter detail
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Polar night: the sun is below the horizon from late November to mid January. First sunrays return to Havnnes about 27 January.
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Whale season peaks early November to late January around Skjervøy. Tours depend on herring movement and weather.
What you can do from Havnnes year-round
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Stay in characterful houses and apartments with kitchens and wood stoves.
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Fish self-drive with Kværnø boats.
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Cycle with on-site e-bike rental; explore Uløya’s roads and forest tracks.
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Hike to viewpoints like Uløytinden and Kjelvågtinden straight from Havnnes.
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Unwind in the sauna and outdoor jacuzzi after a day out.
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Visit the museum and Annie Giæver photo exhibition in Gammelbrygga.
Experience
Lyngenfjord
Northern Troms offers a wide variety of exciting experiences for all ages – whether you’re seeking peace and connection with nature, or active adventures among mountains and fjords. Everything takes place within one region – the Lyngenfjord. And even though the fjord is vast and mighty, every experience is close at hand and easy to reach.
Discover Blåisvatnet, the iconic turquoise lake surrounded by dramatic peaks – a favourite among both locals and visitors. For those who prefer a view that comes with a challenge, Lyngentrappa offers 1,200 stone steps and a spectacular panorama over Lyngseidet and the fjord.
Fancy getting out on the water? Try kayaking on the fjord or join a riverboat safari up the Reisa River to experience the natural surroundings up close – with chances to spot birdlife and waterfalls along the banks. Adventure seekers can take on summit hikes in the Lyngen Alps or go trail biking in Reisa National Park.
As the day winds down, relax with a visit to Aurora Spirit Distillery, the world’s northernmost whisky distillery – or simply take in the midnight sun in the Arctic landscape.
Feel free to get in touch with us for tailored recommendations and experiences to suit you and your travel companions – we’ll be happy to help you create a memorable and meaningful stay.