SkåtøyAbout Skåtøy
Skåtøy is an island in Telemark county, part of the Kragerø archipelago on Norway’s south coast. It is one of the larger islands in the group and has a history as a summer destination.
The island attracts people for boating, coastal walks, cycling and summer cottage stays. Sheltered bays and shallow waters around the island are used for swimming and anchorage by visiting boats.
Historically the island has been tied to the maritime economy of Kragerø and developed as a summer retreat area in the 19th and 20th centuries. Traditional wooden buildings and seasonal habitation define much of the present-day settlement pattern.
Skåtøy lies off the coast of Kragerø in Telemark, reachable by local ferry from the town of Kragerø and nearby mainland piers. The surrounding seascape is a fragmented archipelago of rocky islets and sheltered channels.
- Access: Ferry connections link the island to Kragerø and other nearby islands, making it a common destination for day-trippers and boaters in summer.
- Landscape: The island is largely forested with scattered summer homes and walking tracks rather than dense settlement.
Best Time to Visit Skåtøy
Warm months are the main season; ferries are frequent in summer but sparse off-season.
Weather & Climate near Skåtøy
Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (959 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 1° | -5° | 80 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 52 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 68 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Good | 3° - 9° | 3° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Good | 9° - 15° | 12° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.6h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 19° | 16° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 17.9h |
| July | Very Good | 15° - 21° | 18° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.2h |
| August | Good | 14° - 20° | 17° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 111 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 10° | 5° | 122 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 5° | -1° | 114 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 2° | -4° | 78 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
How to Get to Skåtøy
Ferries run to Skåtøy from Kragerø on the local car/passenger routes; crossings are short (minutes to under an hour depending on landing). Kragerø is accessible by road from the E18 Oslo-Kristiansand corridor.
Tips for Visiting Skåtøy
- Catch the short passenger ferry from Kragerø harbor - the crossing is part of the island's rhythm and offers good shoreline views.
- Visit the wooden Skåtøy Church (if open) - it's one of the larger wooden churches in the region and an island landmark.