How to visit Hornøya in 2026

Access regulations for the island changed at the beginning of the 2026 season.

At the moment, the tourist information office does not sell tickets directly.
There is no longer a regular daily ferry service to the island.
You must book your trip in advance. The previous drop-in system—buying a ticket at the counter before departure—is no longer available.

If you would like to learn more about the reasons behind these changes, you can find a detailed explanation below.

How to book your trip

The options we can currently recommend are the following:

1. Book online with Njalla Siida.

They do not operate daily tours, but you can check availability for your preferred dates:

2. Contact tour providers directly

We recommend contacting tour providers by email, specifying your travel dates and number of persons to check availability, prices, and conditions.

Tour providers:

Varanger View AS - post@varangerview.no

Cape East Adventures - trhe66@gmail.com

Øyvind Zahl - oyvindza@outlook.com

Aurora Holidays - contact@auroraholidays.net

Learn more about the new regulations for access to Hornøya:

Due to new national regulations introduced just before the start of the 2026 season, access to Hornøya has changed.

Previously, transport to Hornøya was arranged from the harbor, and tickets were sold through the tourist information office in Vardø. There were daily departures to the island with fixed schedules, giving visitors flexibility and predictability when planning their visit

The new rules require all visitors to travel in groups of up to 11 people, accompanied by a guide.

Additionally, in 2026, several companies (18 in total) have been granted permits to transport visitors. Each operates independently, with its own schedules and conditions. This makes planning your visit more complex, as you need to contact providers directly in advance to check availability. There is no centralized ticket system at the tourist information office covering all providers.
Nevertheless, we continue working to provide the best possible experience and to help ensure your visit.

When can you visit Hornøya?

The season runs from mid-March, when the birds return to the island, until mid-August, when they leave.

Follow us on the Facebook page of Vardø Tourist Information to find more information and updates.