Bergen by boat: 7 day trips to fjords and islands
Bergen is one of the few cities where you can step aboard in the city centre and be out among the islands within half an hour. From Vågen harbour you reach Byfjorden with the view of Bryggen, Lysøen to the south, the open coast of Sotra, the fishing village of Bekkjarvik on Austevoll, Herdla at the northern tip of Askøy, and the narrow tidal straits towards Nordhordland. Here are seven day trips with approximate distances, harbours, rules and the best season, from a short evening trip to a full day on the fjord.
Where can you rent a boat in Bergen?
On Ship O'Hoi, private owners rent out their own boats, from small boats and RIBs to daycruisers and sailboats. You will find boats for rent in Bergen city, and if you would rather start closer to Lysøen and Austevoll, boat rental in Fana is a good base. For Herdla and the north, look at boats for rent on Askøy, and for the open coast boats for rent in Øygarden. Each owner states their own licence and experience requirements, and some owners can come along as skipper.
7 boat trips in Bergen
The distances below are rough estimates from the map, measured one way along the usual routes. Always use a nautical chart or a chart app when you plan, and allow extra time if the wind picks up.
1. Byfjorden and Vågen: Bergen from the water
Approx. 6 nautical miles round trip from Vågen, out to Kvarven, across towards Sandviken and back. Allow 1 to 2 hours. This is the trip that shows the city at its best: Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf that became Norway's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, with the mountains Fløyen and Ulriken behind it. Bergen Havn (the port authority) runs the guest harbour (gjestehavn) in Vågen, with room for about 100 leisure boats, power and water at Bryggen and Torgutstikkeren, and a service centre at Zachariasbryggen open 11:00 to 20:00 every day. Tip: The speed limit is 5 knots in Vågen and Puddefjorden and 8 knots off Sandviken, so make this a slow trip, ideally on a summer evening.
2. Lysøen: Ole Bull's island
Approx. 6 nautical miles one way from Hjellestad in Fana, or approx. 18 nautical miles from Bergen city centre via Vatlestraumen and Raunefjorden. Allow 2 to 3 hours from Fana and half a day from the centre. Lysøen lies at the head of Lysefjorden and was the summer home of the violinist Ole Bull. The island is open all year to visitors arriving by their own boat, and there is a quay. You will find kilometres of paths, a lookout tower, an old farmyard and good spots for swimming and picnics. Tip: The villa is closed for renovation and there is no museum boat from Buena in 2026, so plan this as a walking and swimming day rather than a museum visit.
3. Glesvær and the open coast of Sotra
Approx. 6.5 nautical miles one way from Hjellestad across Raunefjorden and through Lerøyosen, approx. 12 nautical miles from Straume in Øygarden, or approx. 17 nautical miles from Bergen city centre. Allow half a day. Glesvær, on the southwest tip of Sotra, is an old trading post with sea houses and quays, and out here the landscape is completely different from the sheltered fjords: bare rock, skerries and open sea. About 4.5 nautical miles south of Glesvær, Marstein lighthouse stands at the entrance to Korsfjorden; Austevoll municipality owns it and it now offers overnight stays. Tip: This coast is exposed to the west. Choose a day with little swell, and turn back in the lee of the islands rather than rounding the outermost points.
4. Bekkjarvik and Stolmen on Austevoll
Approx. 16 nautical miles one way from Hjellestad, or approx. 27 nautical miles from Bergen city centre, south through Raunefjorden and across Korsfjorden. This is a full-day trip. Bekkjarvik has a sheltered guest harbour with room for about 200 boats across three harbours, with power, water, showers, fuel and a swimming area. Berths cannot be booked, so it is first come, first served. If you want to go further, the island of Stolmen, at the far southwest of Austevoll, is approx. 4 nautical miles further west, looking out over Selbjørnsfjorden and the open sea. Tip: Anchoring is prohibited in Bekkjarvik because of a water pipe on the seabed, so moor at the floating pier or the quay.
5. Herdla: birds, a fort and beaches on northern Askøy
Approx. 14.5 nautical miles one way from Kleppestø on Askøy, or approx. 15.5 nautical miles from Bergen city centre, north through Byfjorden and Herdlefjorden. Allow half a day to a full day. Herdla, at the northern tip of Askøy, has open landscape, the pebble beach Vestrefjæra on the west side and Valen on the northeast side, plus Herdla Fort and Herdla Museum with a café, a torpedo battery and a Second World War fighter aircraft. The northern part is a nature reserve with rich birdlife. Tip: Bring binoculars and stay out of the closed area between Prestvika and Urdneset during the breeding and migration season (see the rules below).
6. Alverstraumen: the tidal strait to the north
Approx. 12 nautical miles one way from Bergen city centre, past Salhus and Knarvik. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the return trip. Alverstraumen is a narrow strait at Alversund, just north of Knarvik, where the tidal current can run like a river. In the past, cargo sloops and herring boats had to wait for the right current before they could get through, and there has been an inn here since the 1600s. Tip: Watch the current from the south side and do not try to push a small boat through against it. If you want to pass, check the tide table and wait for slack water.
7. Osterfjorden towards Mostraumen
Approx. 29 nautical miles one way from Bergen city centre to Mostraumen, via Salhus and the full length of Osterfjorden. This is a long full-day trip for a boat with good range, but you can turn back wherever you like. Osterfjorden is 27 kilometres long and runs inland towards Modalen, and on the way you pass close to waterfalls tumbling into the fjord. At the far end lies Mostraumen, a shallow, narrow strait with strong currents. Tip: Check your fuel before you set off. It is a long way back to the city, and the fjord can give you a headwind on the way home.
Overview of the trips
| Route | Distance one way (approx.) | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byfjorden and Vågen | 6 nm round trip from Vågen | 1–2 h | Bryggen from the water | Evening trip, any boat |
| Lysøen | 6 nm from Hjellestad, 18 nm from the centre | 2–5 h | Ole Bull's island, paths and swimming | Families |
| Glesvær and Sotra | 6.5 nm from Hjellestad, 17 nm from the centre | Half day | Open coast and Marstein lighthouse | Calm days, experienced skippers |
| Bekkjarvik and Stolmen | 16 nm from Hjellestad, 27 nm from the centre | Full day | Guest harbour and island world | Daycruiser, sailboat |
| Herdla | 14.5 nm from Kleppestø | Half to full day | Birds, fort and beaches | Families, nature lovers |
| Alverstraumen | 12 nm from the centre | 3–4 h | Strong tidal current | Curious, experienced skippers |
| Osterfjorden and Mostraumen | 29 nm from the centre | Full day | Fjord, waterfalls and currents | Boats with good range |
Rules and safety in Bergen
- Speed limits: Bergen municipality's regulation on leisure craft sets 5 knots in areas including Vågen, Puddefjorden, Eidsvågen and Nordåsvatnet, and 8 knots off Sandviken. Neighbouring municipalities may have their own limits, so check signs and charts wherever you go.
- Ship traffic: The Norwegian Coastal Administration's (Kystverket) vessel traffic service at Fedje monitors traffic to and from Bergen, and Hjeltefjorden, Byfjorden and Korsfjorden with Vatlestraumen are VTS areas with large ships and fast passenger boats. Keep well clear, cross the fairway quickly and at a right angle, and never anchor in the channel.
- Currents: Alverstraumen and Mostraumen have strong currents. Pass at slack water, or not at all.
- Herdla nature reserve: From 15 April to 30 September, all access on land is prohibited in the Prestvika–Urdneset area, and birds, nests and eggs are protected all year (the protection regulation). The county governor has proposed new protection rules, so check the signs when you arrive.
- Anchoring: Anchoring is prohibited in Bekkjarvik because of a water pipe.
- Weather: The coast west of Sotra and Korsfjorden is open to the sea. Check wind and waves on Yr (the Norwegian weather service) before you leave, and keep rain gear on board whatever the forecast.
- Licence: Norway's boat licence rule (båtførerbevis) applies to anyone born on or after 1 January 1980 who drives a boat over 8 metres or with an engine over 25 hp, and visitors should check whether their home licence is accepted. Read our guide to the Norwegian boat licence.
Best time for a boat trip in Bergen
The main season runs from May to September. Around midsummer the days are very long: on 21 June the sun rises at about 04:09 and sets at about 23:11 in Bergen. In mid-May you have light from about 05:00 to 22:00, while by the end of September the day has shrunk to about 07:40 to 19:15. The guest harbour in Bekkjarvik is open in spring, summer and autumn, and Lysøen can be visited by your own boat all year. Bergen is famous for rain, but summer brings plenty of fine days. Keep an eye on the forecast and be flexible about which route you choose.
FAQ
Can I visit Ole Bull's villa on Lysøen in 2026?
No. The villa is closed for renovation and the museum boat from Buena is not running in 2026. The island is still open, and you can moor at the quay with your own boat and go for a walk or a swim.
Where can I moor in Bergen city centre?
In the guest harbour in Vågen, run by Bergen Havn. There is room for about 100 leisure boats, and harbour fees are paid in an app.
How far is Bekkjarvik from Bergen by boat?
Approx. 27 nautical miles one way from the city centre and approx. 16 nautical miles from Hjellestad in Fana. Starting in Fana makes the trip much shorter and easier to fit into one day.
Can I drive through Alverstraumen?
The current can run so strongly that it is almost impossible to get through in a small boat. Check the tide table and only pass at slack water.
Which trip is best for families?
Lysøen from Fana is a short run with a quay, paths and swimming spots. Byfjorden suits a short first outing, and Herdla offers beaches and birdlife if the family can manage a slightly longer day on the water.
If you want to head deeper into the fjords, read about the Hardangerfjord by boat and the Sognefjord by boat.
