Espevær at Bømlo

Espevær is a truly unique small island community out at sea, west of Bømlo. The houses are tightly clustered together in the sheltered strait, protected from ocean swells and winds.

In earlier times, Espevær was the largest fishing village in Bømlo, with up to 30,000 fishermen during the great herring fisheries of the 1850s.

Espevær offers a variety of attractions!
The Lobster Park was built in 1887 and restored in 1994. It is a unique cultural heritage site – the largest of its kind in Norway – and now serves as both a museum and aquarium. In the summer, visitors can join guided tours and take a raft trip inside the hall, where lobsters roam freely.

The Baadehuset Museum offers insight into the era when Espevær played a key role in the herring fishery. Built in 1850 on the original stone foundations from 1690, it now houses a museum, and during the summer months, also features a shop and café.

Espevær is also known for the “UFO ring,” discovered in 1975 and still clearly visible today. Visitors can explore the island on foot and view this mysterious formation.

Another special feature of Espevær is its cable ferry, developed at Mæhle’s mechanical workshop at Baadeholmen. The ferry began operating in 1978, crossing the 45-meter-wide strait between Baadeholmen and Garvika. It is coin-operated (NOK 20 per trip), runs around the clock, and accommodates up to four passengers. The crossing takes about two minutes.

During summer, the restaurant Gamleposten 5444 is open, serving local flavors and great stories in a memorable setting