The Coastal Museum, Øygarden

The museum is situated on the island Oen, surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery in an authentic maritime setting. The museum is situated in a modern building right beside Ovågen, a stone's throw from the old ferry quay, and it is a great place to spend the hours studying the exhibitions and doing activities both indoors and outdoors.

Exhibitions

The main exhibition ‘Life by the sea’ describes how the struggle for existence in this exposed part of the coast of Western Norway has marked the people and coastal culture since time immemorial. The special maritime environment in which the museum is set shows what life was like before roads and bridges, when people used rowing boats, sails and engines, and cast nets. In a time of whaling and herring fisheries, both at home and under foreign skies, times of hunger, and of oil and gas, and trout and salmon.

The exhibition in the boathouse ‘I rowed out to sea’ is the story of people fishing to feed themselves and to sell at the Fish Market in Bergen. The salting shed on the quay exhibits some of Gunnar Michelsen’s collection of engines, including outboard engines from manufacturers all over the world and different eras.

Café and museum shop

The café offers beautiful views of lovely Ovågen. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a freshly made pancake, or try the museum’s fish soup. If the weather is nice, the museum has a large terrace sheltered from the north wind.

The museum shop sells a carefully selected range of items that tie in with the theme of the museum. Coastal culture and life by the sea are also the key themes here, and you will find books, gifts and souvenirs for adults and children alike.

Every Monday except during the Christmas period, there is Monday Café. On these days, the museum is open with a lunch offer in the café and freshly made "lapper" (almost like a pancake). There are also trips to the fish farm at 12:00 and 13:00 when weather conditions allow. During the main season, trips to the fish farm is available every weekday.

The area around the museum

The coastal museum is a great starting point for other activities. We have a rowing boat and canoe for hire, and the museum is also a great starting point for a walk. We will have a guest marina from summer 2020, which will provide good opportunities for mooring boats. It is also possible to launch a kayak from the museum’s slip. There are bathing opportunities right beside the museum, and there is a lovely beach a short walk away.

Open by arrangement the rest of the year.