Arctic Ocean Lodge

Directions: Directions:

The road from Evenes/Sortland/Risøyhamn: Turn left at Bjørnskinn (Fv974), turn left at the sign towards Skjoldhamn (Fv973). 
The road from Andenes along the west side: Follow the road down until you reach (Fv974), and from there turn right onto (Fv973). Continue for 15 km (drive carefully, bad road).

Turn down to Arctic Ocean Lodge on your left hand.
 
 
Local Area Description:
Here you will find a description of Skjoldhamn, the village where Arctic Ocean Lodge is located. Skjoldhamn is a unique pearl of a village with only 15 inhabitants. We are the proud owners of the southernmost point of Andøya.
 
We also have Andøya's second highest mountain, white beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, and open mountain landscapes 360° around, (which create optimal conditions for seeing the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights dance across the sky throughout the autumn and dark season (September-March)).
 
Out here, you get a little bit of the feeling that time stops – and each season has its very own charm in the landscape and is something completely special.
A place you must experience!
 

Local attractions:
 - Gavltinden (662 masl) is Andøya's second highest mountain. The hiking trail starts 2–2.5 km from Arctic Ocean Lodge. The hike takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes up – and the same down.
 - Hvit Strand (White Beach); one of the nicest places nearby – drive left out from Arctic Ocean Lodge. Drive 7.1 km (approx. 10 minutes) until you reach 'Hvit Strand Camping'. You park your car in the parking lot on the left. Walk down to the beach and enjoy the atmosphere!
 

Attractions on Andøya:
When driving on Andøya, you will experience roads that automatically make you slow down – so drive accordingly and enjoy the island's incredibly beautiful landscape instead.

You can drive two ways around the island if you want to travel from north to south.
 
From Risøyhamn, we have one road on the east side of rhe Island, the fastest way to Andenes - and then we have 'The National Tourist Route' of Andøya on the Westside of the Island.
 
The road on the east side, as described, takes you straight to the top of Andøya. Along the way, you get a great view towards islands such as Grytøya, Bjarkøy, Flatøy, Meløyvær, and Senja.
 
The west side is more of an "adventure off the main road." When driving from Arctic Ocean Lodge towards Andenes (follow Fv973 to the end and turn left onto Fv974). 
From here, for about an hour of driving, you will see spectacular landscapes along the coast.
 

You pass Nøss, where the mountains meet the sea (a great place to take fantastic photos at "Sanvika Beach in Børra").
Right afterwards, you come to the famous toilet, locally known as the "billion-dollar toilet."
You drive past white beaches at Nordmela and Stave, where you can also park your car and take a hike to Måtind or Høyvika beach.- "Bleikstranda," the longest white beach on Andøya (and one of Northern Europe's longest).
"Bleiksøya," where 70,000 pairs of puffins gather every spring and stay until late summer to nest.
10 km off the coast of Bleik lies "Bleiksdjupet" (The Bleik Deep), an underwater canyon, which together with the Gulf Stream makes the waters very nutrient-rich for many different whale species.
Andøya Space Center is located just before you drive into Andenes.

Have a fantastic time exploring Andøya.
 
Please drive safely and do not stop in the middle of the road to take pictures – find a parking spot, and give way to the locals; they are the reason why the island, the roads, and the various services work here. Thank you in advance for being considerate.
 
 
Other reasons to drive safely out here

The population of moose is on around 400 individuals on Andøy, and the roads are not build with a great overview, so look out, they are know to cross the roads. 
In summertime the farmers have their sheep running freely. 

 
 
Here is some information about the distances to the nearest grocery store, restaurant, and major town.
 
Local grocery stores:

 - Joker Risøyhamn: 21 km (23 mi