Drive it Yourself: Kautokeino to Havøysund via the Alta Canyon & Havøysund Tourist Road
This drive takes you from the Finnmark Plateau down to a remote island by the sea.
Located at what feels like the end of the world, Havøysund is a special little fishing village.
Latitude: 70.5 degrees north
Population: 970
Sami Name: Ávanuorri
Måsøy Municipality
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Havøysund
Located in what used to be a rectory, the museum has a collection of tools and technical equipment used by fishermen. It also has exhibitions showing what houses looked like in older times.
Norway’s northernmost wind farm, perched on cliffs 275 metres above the sea. A scenic drive or hike leads to panoramic views across the Barents Sea, the surrounding islands, and endless horizon.
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
An easy to moderate hike from the village to the top of Havøygavlen (about 2.5 km each way). The view from the wind farm and Arctic View lookout is among the most dramatic in Northern Norway.
About 1.5 hours by car; strange limestone formations along the coast, steeped in Sámi legends about trolls turned to stone.
Ferry trips from Havøysund visit tiny fishing settlements like Ingøy and Rolvsøy, offering a step back in time and superb birdwatching.
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Havøysund
The Havøysund Tourist Road is one of the lesser-known tourist roads, but is probably one of my favourites. The landscape is so barren and remote, creating a unique experience as you drive along the rocky landscape along the Arctic Ocean. There aren’t so many places to stop or pass through; what makes this drive wonderful is exactly how remote and rugged it is. And just as you think you’ve arrived at the end of the world, you turn the corner and there is the charming village of Havøysund.
I currently do not have any self-guided walks available in Havøysund.
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Havøysund
This drive includes the Alta Canyon and Havøysund Tourist Road.
Havøysund has been inhabited by coastal Sámi and Norse fishers for centuries, thriving on cod and halibut. During World War II, the town was completely destroyed by retreating German forces, like much of Finnmark. It was rebuilt in the post-war years as part of Norway’s great northern reconstruction effort, becoming the administrative centre of Måsøy Municipality. Fishing remains its backbone, with modern processing plants standing alongside small-boat harbours and traditional fish-drying racks.
Home to around 1,000 people, Havøysund is one of the northernmost permanently settled fishing villages in the world. It has a quiet charm and a strong sense of community, combining modern Arctic industry with raw natural beauty. Travellers come for solitude, Arctic light, wildlife, and the feeling of standing on the edge of the world. The town also marks the end (or beginning) of the scenic Arctic Coast Route (Nasjonal turistvei Havøysund)—a breathtaking drive from Kokelv through wild fjords and bare mountain plateaus.
Fly: The nearest airports are Hammerfest Airport (2–3 hours away) and Lakselv Banak Airport, both linked to Oslo via Tromsø.
Drive: Follow the Arctic Coast Route (Rv889) from Kokelv to Havøysund; the drive is spectacular, passing cliffs, tundra, and fjords. It’s about 2.5 hours from Lakselv or 4 hours from Alta.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Havøysund is a port of call for the coastal ferry, with both the northbound and the southbound calling at Havøysund in the morning.
Havøysund is walkable.
Cafes & Bakeries
Arctic View Café (seasonal) – open in summer near the wind farm; offers waffles, coffee, and incredible ocean views.
Casual Eateries
Havets Smak – Local seafood restaurant down by the harbour.
High End & Unique Eats
Camping
Cabins & B&Bs
Havøysund Rorbuer – converted fisherman’s cabins offering cosy stays right on the water.
Chains & Mid-Range
High End & Unique Properties
This drive takes you from the Finnmark Plateau down to a remote island by the sea.