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)
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