Overlooking a tranquil bay on the east coast of Skjervøya, Skjervøy is both a village and municipality in the far north of Norway. It has long been an important fishing and shipbuilding hub and is renowned as one of the top whale-watching destinations in Norway, particularly during the herring season.
Things to do in Skjervøy
For panoramic views across Skjervøya, climb to the lookout point at Lailafjellet, from where you can see the surrounding islands of Kågen, Arnøya and Laukøya. The town of Skjervøy is best viewed from Stussnesfjellet, which rises 162 metres to the south. From here, you can see the 1728-built Skjervøy Chuch, which is the oldest wooden church in Troms.
Experienced trekkers can tackle the summit of Store Kågtinden, which is the highest peak on Skjervøya's neighbouring island of Kågen. From the bridge that connects the two islands, a trail leads north-west towards Isbuktvatn and crosses the glacier that extends nearly all the way to the summit. A rocky outcrop is the final obstacle before the summit ridge, from where there are remarkable views on offer.
Skjervøy is the departure point for whale watching cruises, as humpback whales and orcas hunt for herring in the Norwegian Sea. The sightings are best between October and January when large schools of herring congregate along the coast. Guided cruises take place on traditional Norwegian vessels and are accompanied by expert insights into the behaviour of whales.
Getting around Skjervøy
Skjervøy is around 35 minutes’ drive from Ravelseidet and 45 minutes from Sorkjosen Airport, which has flights to destinations across Norway. Tromsø Airport is 3.5 hours away. Buses and ferries connect to Skjervøy and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region.