Coastal Ferry Day 12
Bergen
The final day of sailing along Norway’s west coast is worth seeing.
On this day of sailing...
12:30am - 1:20am
Ålesund
29th port - 62.2 degrees north - population 53,000
The ship stops in Ålesund in the middle of the night. It is possible to leave the ship and go for a quick walk if you wish. You can read about Ålesund via our travel guide below.
2:30am - 2:45am
Torvik
30th port - 62.2 degrees north - population 1,440
About Torvik
Torvik is a small industrial port. The ship stops there in the middle of the night.
5:45am - 6am
Måløy
31st port - 61.9 degrees north - population 3,200
About Måløy
Måløy was founded as a small trading settlement due to its close proximity to the fishing. The town charter is from 1997. The town is still dependent on the fishing industry today, with lots of factories located here to prepare the fish for export.
During World War II, it was used as a German coastal fortress, which led to the eradication of all settlement on the island to make room for the fortress, and as a result of Operation Archery in December 1941.
Before arriving in Måløy we sail through a strait called Ulvesundet, which is important in Norwegian history. It has provided shelter for mariners sailing north who didn’t want to sail in open stretches of sea. Approximately 30 minutes after leaving Måløy we pass the island of Selja, which is an important historic religious island on the west coast. Those with a good eye (or some binoculars) will see the ruins of the Selje Monastery, the oldest church on the west coast.
8:15am - 8:30am
Florø
32nd port - 61.5 degrees north
About Florø
Florø is mentioned in written sources from 1,300 AD but has been known since the Viking Age. In fact, it is believed that many of the Viking voyages outside of Norway began close to Fløro.
Florø got its town charter in 1860 with the goal of becoming a new trading centre roughly halfway between Bergen and Ålesund. A common saying is ‘herring was the foundation of Florø’ because of the historic dependence on herring. The world’s largest herring catches took place here between 1945 and 1957, but now numbers have dwindled.
Florø is now known as a fish farming capital with several of the largest operators concentrating their business here. Oil related activities take place here too.
Florø is the westernmost town on the Norwegian mainland.
+40 minutes after Florø: Svanøy Island
The island Svanøy on the port left side was a prominent settlement during the Viking Age. It is believed that the Viking King Eirik Bloodaxe, the son of Harald Hårfagre, grew up here. The local farm was named after him: Erikstad.
The church on the island is from before the 14th century and close to it is a St. Olavs Cross. Legend says that the cross was brought here by St. Olav. The cross is one of the few remaining of its type in Norway. On one side are runic inscriptions that read: “Tordr raised this cross for…”
Point of Interest: Sognefjord
The expedition team on board usually give a special talk about the entrance to the Sognefjord. The Sognefjord is Norway’s longest fjord (205km) and starts here on the port left side.
This is at approximately 10:45am.
+3 hours 45 minutes after Florø: Mongstad Oil Refinery
The oil refinery at Mongstad can be seen on the port left side. It is the largest oil refinery in Norway. A refinery has been here since the 1970s and the majority of it is owned by the Norwegian government.
+5 hours after Florø: Askøy and Herdla
Approximately 5 hours after leaving Florø, the ship begins to sail into the Herdlefjord with the island of Askøy on the starboard side. Askøy is one of the neighbourhoods of Bergen. At the tip of Askøy is the island Herdla. The island is fairly distinctive as its very flat. Archaeological excavations show that people have lived at Herdla for 8,000 years. North of the island, traces have been found of a town dating from the migration period. As early as 1146, Herdla Church was mentioned in written documents.
During World War II, the Nazis had a fortress here. The local population were evacuated and a large part of the island was converted into an airfield for the Nazis. Aircraft hangars were constructed and Herdla became vital for the defence of the Bergen submarine base.
Approximately 30 minutes before Bergen: Go outside!
The approach to Bergen is gorgeous and provides incredible views of the city. Go outside! There’s no rush to leave the ship.
2:45pm
Bergen
33rd port - 60.3 degrees north
About Bergen
With a population of 285,000, Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. Founded in 1070, Bergen was the most important trading settlement on the Norwegian coast for hundreds of years. It was a major trading base for the Hanseatic League, a group of German merchants, from 1360 – 1754.
It is also the best city in Norway.
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains. As you look out at the city as the ship leaves, you will see Mt. Ulriken straight ahead; that is the tallest mountain in Bergen at 2,000ft (640m) high. To your left is Fløyen at 1,000ft (320m) high, and to your right is Løvstakken, where your tour leader leaves (can you see her green apartment building?)