Huftarøy
Island Vestland island known for fishing communities
In Vestland’s Austevoll area, Huftarøy offers fishing-village harbours, winding coastal roads and rocky shorelines; visitors explore seafood eateries, small harbours and short hikes along the coast.
Huftarøy is the largest island in Austevoll municipality in Vestland county, western Norway and serves as the municipal and service centre. The island contains the village of Storebø and functions as the local hub for administration and commerce.
Storebø provides shops, municipal services and a ferry quay, and much of the island’s population and facilities are concentrated around sheltered harbors. The island economy is focused on fishing, fish farming and related industries.
Modern road and ferry connections link Huftarøy to neighbouring islands in the Austevoll archipelago, integrating it into the coastal transport network. Settlement and infrastructure expanded in the 20th century with improved links to other islands and the mainland.
Huftarøy lies in the coastal archipelago southwest of Bergen, within a rocky, low-lying landscape of cultivated pockets and sheltered inlets, roughly 25-30 km from Bergen as the crow flies.
- Administrative centre: The island is the municipal centre of Austevoll and hosts the largest concentration of services in the municipality.
- Local economy: Fishing and aquaculture are major local industries; summer is the most active season for boat traffic and outdoor access.
What to See #
- Storebø: The main settlement of the island and administrative centre for Austevoll municipality with shops, services and the local ferry quay.
- Transport links: A network of short road bridges and local ferry links that connect the island to neighboring islands in Austevoll and to regional ferry routes.
How to Get to Huftarøy #
Access is typically by local car ferry from the mainland or neighbouring islands; check regional ferry services for routes and timetables.
Tips for Visiting Huftarøy #
- Ferries and local boats are the main access; check timetables as services are infrequent outside summer.
- Explore the island's small villages on foot to appreciate local rock formations and coastal views.
- Watch for tidal changes when scheduling beach visits - some coves become narrow at low tide.
Best Time to Visit Huftarøy #
Summer months provide the easiest access and best weather for coastal exploration.
Weather & Climate near Huftarøy #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1803 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (166 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (202 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (213 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (208 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (211 mm) and mostly overcast skies.