ONA ISLAND AND LIGHTHOUSE ON THE ATLANTIC COAST OF NORWAY

Ona Island in the Atlantic Ocean outside the Romsdalsfjord is a traditional fishing village with a permanent population of about 17.

The small island community has two hotels, a summer-restaurant, a yarn shop with a small café  and two pottery workshops.

 

Season and Safety

Many of the activities and attractions mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. This also applies to many of the roads and accommodations mentioned. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and what activity, attraction, road and accommodation it is, it usually opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on i.a. the amount of snow and the risk of avalanches in the area. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season.

Important information about roads in Western Norway: Many roads in western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway...

It is important to take precautions for weather and driving conditions, on roads and trails, both when driving and in general when one is out in nature in Norway and Western Norway. It is recommended to use guide on the tours described on this website. Use the information you find on this website at your own risk and responsibility. Read more about season, important safety information and your own responsibility…

Visit Northwest

Visit Northwest is the official destination company for the Romsdalsfjord, Romsdal and Nordmøre area.

FJORDS NORWAY - View from Ona Lighthouse towards the community on Ona and the Atlantic Coast outside the Romsdalsfjord.
View from Ona Lighthouse towards the community on Ona and the Atlantic Coast outside the Romsdalsfjord.

Ferry on the Atlantic Coast to Ona Island

Take a day excursion to Ona Island, or stay over at the Classic Norway Hotel Ona Havstuer or at Onakaia Apartments. The ferry-trip on the Atlantic Coast is an adventure itself, with a beautiful coastline of islands and reefs as a backdrop.

Drive westwards from Molde and take the ferry to the island of Aukra. From Småge, at the western part of Aukra Island, there are several daily boat departures to Ona and other islands nearby. You can bring your car on the ferry to Ona, but there is no need to bring your car if you go on a day-trip to Ona. You can then lave your car at Småge if you want to. A one-way-ferry-trip will take you around 1.5 hours. Check timetables SMÅGE – ONA at Fram.

Ona Island

Ona Island is the outermost island on the Atlantic Coast in Romsdal, southwest of the Atlantic Road and northwest of Molde. Ona is the name of the island community which consists of the two islands Ona and Husøya. The two islands are connected with a small bridge. In 2020, the population of Ona increased by as much as 55 percent, from 11 to 17 permanent residents.

Ona Havstuer Apartment Hotel and Onakaia Apartments on the pier at Ona are open all year round. The restaurant and reception is open during summer, and you can rent apartments all year round.

The Yarn Shop To Runde Pinner is located by the pier. There you can drink coffee, they sell knitting products, arrange knitting weekend and gatherings.

Brun & Blå Pottery Workshop by the pier is open all year.

Since there is no grocery store on the island, you need to buy grocery on Aukra or other grocery stores and bring it with you to the island. Or even better; you can order food from Bunnpris at Harøy and they will send it to you on the ferry to Ona.

NOTE – It happens that the storms are so violent in the fjords and on the Western Coast that the waves strikes far above land. When the storm is at its worst and the large waves strikes land, you need to be careful and keep safe distance to the water! Bare rock face are often very slippery. Remember that approximately every seventh wave is extra big and high! This can vary from place to place, some places the frequency is somewhat lower or higher. It is important to take precautions for this.

FJORDS NORWAY - Ona Island and Lighthouse on the Atlantic Coast outside the Romsdalsfjord.
Ona Island and Lighthouse on the Atlantic Coast outside the Romsdalsfjord.

Ona Lighthouse

Ona Lighthouse is situated on Onakalven which is the highest point on Ona Island. The lighthouse was built in 1867 and is 14.7 meters high (light height of 40 meters) and is made of cast iron. The lighthouse was automated in 1971.

The Lighthouse Keepers Quarters lies on the headland, west of the lighthouse. This is now in private hands and is also functioning as a Pottery Workshop with exhibition and shop; Onakalven Keramikkverksted.

Husøya Island

Husøya is the largest island. On the southernmost part of Husøya, close to the bell tower and the graveyard, there is a beautiful beach which is also a great place for tenting. You can drive your car from the ferry pier at Ona to the campsite, a driving distance of 1.2 kilometer.

There is fresh water from a tap close to the chapel at Husøya, beside the campsite. A new service-building with toilet facilities and water was completed in 2020.

There is also a football court on Husøya. This is one of the oldest football courts in Romsdal. In the old days, in early spring, when the football courts in romsdal still were covered with snow, the football players used to come from Molde and the Romsdal area and play football at Husøya due to the early spring.

Romsdalsfjord – What to See and Do

From snowy mountains to beautiful coastline of islands and reefs. Experience all this in one day due to the short distance from mountains to coast. Ona Island and Lighthouse, The Atlantic Road and Midsundtrappene are attractions facing the Atlantic Ocean. Trollstigen, The Troll Wall, Romsdalseggen, Rampestreken and Litlefjellet are great places to visit in the inner part of the Romsdalsfjord, where the fjord meets the spectacular and alpine Romsdal mountains. Travel green to Åndalsnes with Rauma Railway, a wild, beautiful and unique experience regardless of season. From Åndalsnes Railway Station, you can walk straight from the train and over to the Romsdal Gondola that takes you up to the city-mountain Mt Nesaksla and Eggen Restaurant. From there you have a fantastic view towards Isfjorden, down to the Romsdalsfjord and up towards the Romsdalen Valley which you have just experienced from the train ride along the Rauma Railway. The Romsdalsfjord is located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.

Accommodation on Ona

Accommodation Ona – Ona Havstuer Apartment Hotel
Accommodation Ona – Onakaia Apartments

FJORDS – Accommodation in Western Norway

Great Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Bath and Spa Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Fjords Living – Special Accommodation in the Fjords of Norway

FJORDS – Useful Links

Go Fjords – Big and Small Fjord Experiences
Visit Norway – Official page for Norway
Fjord Norway – Official page for Fjord Norway

Ona Island and Ona Lighthouse – Map Overview