There was not an exact match for the language you toggled to. You have been redirected to the nearest matching page within this section.
Strawberry – a different hotel company
Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Classic Norway Hotels – From distinctive hotels to authentic fisherman's cabins
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Campcation – book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Campanyon - discover unique stays in nature
Brim Explorer – silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Stromma – Norwegian city sightseeing with bus and boat
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Fjord Tours – Home of Norway in a nutshell® - Norway’s most popular tour
Authentic Scandinavia – Travel created by locals
Up Norway – Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Booknordics.com – hundreds of activities, tours and day cruises in Norway
Fjord Travel – let us show you the beauty of Norway!
Go Fjords – tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
My Nordic Travel – Do It Yourself, make your own itinerary
Ski holidays in Rauland – Go skiing in beautiful mountain nature
{{title}} {{:price}} - {{!preprice}} Price: {{?}} {{preprice}} {{/}} {{price}} {{:postprice}}{{postprice}}{{/}} {{?:pricing}} - {{pricing}} {{/pricing}}
Take part in the thriving surf scene in Norway and enjoy arctic adventures, rough nature, and uncrowded waves. Here are some of the hot spots.
“I wake up a couple of hours before sunrise, grab a coffee, and do some stretching before I head to the surf break. I watch the sun rise on the horizon. The light is magical, and the waves are rolling in. I am surrounded by snow, sun and good friends.”
This is how Hallvard Kolltveit, one of Norway’s best surf photographers, describes a perfect day in the office.
In recent years Kolltveit has travelled the world to document some of the world’s best surfers. He has lived in Hawaii and Portugal and has spent months in tropical paradises all around the globe.
“As a photographer, I like to capture dimensions. I once heard a photographer call it ‘little surfer, big landscape’. So when I started specializing in surf photography, I was immediately drawn to places like Iceland and Norway, rather than ‘typical’ tropical islands. To me, Lofoten is simply the prettiest place on earth.”
“I once heard a photographer call it ‘little surfer, big landscape’”
To capture the raw beauty of the sport, Kolltveit jumps in the freezing water with the surfers and swims around with his camera in big waves and fast-paced action.
What is it like working as a surf photographer in Norway?
“First of all, you have to be in the right place at the right time. To make a living out of it, you can’t live more than a couple of hours drive from the waves. While a football field looks pretty much the same 365 days a year, the ocean changes every second. You never know what to expect, especially not in Norway, where the weather changes all the time. You definitely need a bit of stubbornness and patience. You must withstand ice-cold days in February and stormy days in November. I guess they call it passion.”
What’s the Norwegian surf culture like?
“I have to point out that I haven’t been in the surf community for 30 years like some have. There are people who have worked hard for decades and spent plenty of time mapping the coastline, cleaning beaches, and setting up an infrastructure to make surfing a safe, fun, and sustainable sport. The fact that these ardent souls let people like me take part in the activity and the community they for a long time, could enjoy by themselves, says a lot about how open, cool, and incredible they are. Basically, all of my closest friends are involved in the surf community somehow, which is another thing I love about surfing. No matter where I go in Norway or the rest of the world, I always have friends to hang out with.”
Why surfing?
“There is something about being in the ocean, totally devoid of technology: No phone, laptop, or Wi-Fi. To be completely at the mercy of the elements. That definitely gives you a rush. Another cool thing about surfing is that no matter where you are in the world, you know that the person who’s rocking up next to you in the parking lot – whether it’s in an SUV or in a Volvo 240 – is looking for the exact same thing as you.”
Where: In recent years, Norway has earned its deserved place as an international surfing destination. From Lofoten in the north to Rogaland in the southwest you can enjoy excellent conditions for surfing.
When: The surf season lasts from February to November: summer (May–September) is most welcoming for beginners, while the late autumn and winter (September–May) offer rougher and tougher waves for more experienced surfers.
How: Several surf camps in Norway offer packages for beginners and intermediate surfers, including accommodation, lessons, and board and gear rental. Wetsuits, booties, and gloves are a must if you want to surf in Norway during winter.
Get introduced to some of the highlights.
Explore the winds and waves of the North Sea. Jæren is a scenic stretch of coastline in the county of Rogaland in Fjord Norway. This area south of Stavanger offers surfing spots that range from easy and gentle beaches for beginners to more demanding boulder rock points for more advanced surfers. In 2017 and 2018 Jæren hosted Eurosurf – the European championship of surfing.
The summer season is most welcoming for beginners, while the late autumn and winter has more exciting…
Go to: Surfing at JærenThe summer season is most welcoming for beginners, while the late autumn and winter has more exciting…
“This is where many Oslo-based surfers go after they have finished work on a Friday. Driving over the hilltop and looking down the iconic road that leads to Hoddevik valley is undoubtedly an adventure in itself. The combination of fjords, mountains and farms makes the surf community located ‘in the middle of nowhere’ very special.”
“Lofoten is undoubtedly the best place to surf in Norway. However, it’s important to point out that the conditions are not world-class every day. People who live in Lofoten go through storms and a lot of rough weather, which might not be reflected through social media. But when everything falls into place, there is no place you’d rather be. And the good thing is that you’re never bored in Lofoten. So while you’re waiting for the waves to roll in, you can always go skiing, kayaking, climbing, or hiking – or just hang out with the laid-back locals.”
Norway Surf Association (Norges Surf Forbund, or NSRF) was founded in 1985. In 2012 the NSRF became part of the Norwegian Confederation of Sports (NIF), reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and significance in Norway.
Crown Prince Haakon got bitten by the surfing bug while a student at UC Berkeley in the 1990s. He is still a keen surfer and was part of the committee planning the 2017 and 2018 European Championships in surfing at Jæren.
Explore some of Norway’s top surf destinations, surf schools and camps.
Take home a photo of you surfing in-between mountains, above the arctic circle, in the most beautiful place in…
Go to: Beginner Surf Lesson with Professional Photographer - Unstad Arctic SurfTake home a photo of you surfing in-between mountains, above the arctic circle, in the most beautiful place in…
Surfing with all gear and instructions included, in the middle of Lofoten!
Go to: Surf rentals and surf courses - Lofoten Beach CampSurfing with all gear and instructions included, in the middle of Lofoten!
Hoddevik, a beautiful bay on the western coast of the Stadtlandet peninsula, surrounded by majestic mountains…
Go to: Surf in NordfjordHoddevik, a beautiful bay on the western coast of the Stadtlandet peninsula, surrounded by majestic mountains…
The ever-present ocean makes Karmøy a wonderful place for body surfers, kite-surfers and wind-surfers.
Go to: Surf at Karmøy beachesThe ever-present ocean makes Karmøy a wonderful place for body surfers, kite-surfers and wind-surfers.
Do you dream of learning how to surf, or are you already an active surfer looking for new experiences?
Go to: Surf-ListaDo you dream of learning how to surf, or are you already an active surfer looking for new experiences?
Surfing above the arctic circle in one of the most beautiful places in the world is certainly an an experience…
Go to: Beginner Surf Lesson - Unstad Arctic SurfSurfing above the arctic circle in one of the most beautiful places in the world is certainly an an experience…
Discover the best kitesurfing sites in Norway, and get excellent beginner tips from a local kiting expert.
If you really want to get up close and personal with the stunning Norwegian fjord and coastal landscape, kayaks or canoes are ideal options. Buckle up for a paddling adventure – here are some of the hotspots.
See our selection of companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
Back to top