Utstein Abbey / Klosterøy / Låder / Fjøløy

Natural harbour, Låder, Utstein Abbey (Eng.), (No) , Fjøløy Fyr , Map, Sea chart

Utstein kloster/Utstein Abbey

59°06,10'N 05°33,80'E. Utstein Kloster/Utstein Abbey. Six nautical miles north of Stavanger, Mastrafjoden extends to the northwest between Rennesøy and the smaller islands Mosterøy, Fjøløy and Klosterøy. On the latter you’ll find the best-preserved monastery in Norway, Utstein Kloster, a cultural monument worth a visit. Today, the monastery is part of the revived pilgrim's fairway (no) leading to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Se also Utstein Pilegrimsgard (no).The monastery has an interesting history, and has it's name from a large rock in the sea, the Utstein, marking the narrow entrance to Klostervågen. If your draft is less than 1 meter, you might carefully pass trough the channel leading into the sheltered bay (see aerial photo), but finding an anchorage outside is less risky, that is, if you do not intend to be a monk or nun until the next spring tide. Safest option is to make fast near Utstein Kloster Hotell, in Finnasandbukta in the north of Mastrafjorden, east of the unnavigable channel between Mosterøy and Kosterøy. There is a public quay close by, and from here you can walk to the monastery. 

Klosterøy, view towards Boknafjorden.

Unfortunately, there are restrictions on traffic in the farmland around the monastery. Due to this it is difficult for hikers to enter the beautiful coastline, starting from the monastery. A dinghy or even better a kayak will of course solve all problems, but beware of low tide if you decide to cross the shoals between Klosterøy and Fjøløy.

 Fjøløy lighthouse

View from Fjøløy lighthouse. 

To the west, south of Fjøløy lighthouse, you’ll find a nice little cove and a recreation area (59°05,22'N 05°34,15'E). At a former military pier, you can lie safe unless the weather is extremely bad. The shoreline around Fjøløy is rugged and wild with several small islands and coves where you can anchor in fine weather. A nice and more secure natural harbour is Låder (59°06,91’N 05°35,30’E), a bay to the northwest in Mastrafjorden, on the Rennesøy side. If your intention is to cross the open Boknafjorden, this is the right place to wait for better conditions, in case of strong gale and heavy sea.

Kayaking around the islands

Låder (map)

Stora Marøy

Natural harbour,  Map , Sea chart,   History (no) 

Stora Marøy

58°57,78'N 05°46,80'E. Stora Marøy lies in the mouth of Gandsfjorden, near Stavanger to the southeast. The island really is a gem, but is visited mostly by small boats since the more flashy ones are deterred by the landing conditions. The waters to the northeast and east of the island, between Litla Marøy and Stora Marøy, really are foul, but it is still possible to anchor. Several places along the shore, you’ll find anchorage points. Still, your best bet is in the little bay to the northwest. Here you’ll also find a small jetty.

Stora Marøy has an interesting cultural history. It has been utilized for rabbit breeding and as a quarantine station for animals. A small farm was run until the year 1958, and fields, stone fences and ruins are reminiscences of this. In recent years, environmental activists in Naturvernforbundet i Rogaland have worked hard to restore the landscape. Vegetation is cleared away, and animals are put out to grass, to keep shrubs down.

All in all Stora Marøy is a charming and popular island. In the northeast there even is a cove with a beach, and in the summer, a free ferry takes visitors to the island from the small craft harbour on the mainland, just across the strait. An old farm road surrounded by grassy banks, leads you from the jetty, towards the former farmyard near the island's summit. From here you have a great view towards Sandnes in the bottom of Gandsfjorden, and towards the fjords and mountains in the east and north.

The Marøy ferry

View towards Ryfylke.

Visiting Marøy.

Map by: http://rogaland.naturvern.no/