HuftarøyHuftarøy at a Glance
About Huftarøy
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 5° | -2° | 166 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 4° | -2° | 134 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 138 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 90 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 83 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 96 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.2h |
| July | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 113 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.5h |
| August | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 14° | 149 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Poor | 10° - 14° | 12° | 202 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 213 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 7° | 2° | 208 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 211 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
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.