Ona: Fishing Village by the Open Sea

Ona combines a distinctive setting with several distinct attractions: The fishing village is considered Norway’s southernmost and, together with Husøya, lies at the very edge of the open sea on the coast of Romsdal. Husøya is characterised by an open, fertile landscape, a sandy beach and its own lighthouse. Ona Fyr also stands at the island’s highest point, and both islands are home to birdlife. Anyone considering a holiday apartment in Ona will find a destination whose appeal comes from its coastal setting, nature and history.

Getting your bearings with the ferry connection and bridge

The FRAM ferry route 1051 connects Småge, Orta, Finnøya, Sandøya and Ona. The timetable is valid from 17 August 2026 until further notice and offers a practical starting point for planning your journey: Check the connection for the trip you intend to take. The places named also make clear that Ona is part of a ferry connection serving several island destinations. Ona and Husøya are linked by a small bridge. Both island names therefore help you find your bearings locally, although they do not refer to the same landscape: Husøya is described as having an open, fertile landscape, while Ona is known for Onakalven, its highest point, where Ona Fyr stands.

Lighthouses and local history

Ona Fyr stands on Onakalven, the highest point on the island. The light at the Ona lighthouse station was first lit in 1867. This gives the place a specific historical connection, linked to an equally specific geographical detail: the lighthouse stands at Ona’s highest point. Another lighthouse, Salsfyret, stands on Salen on Husøya. These two locations help distinguish the names Ona Fyr and Salsfyret and identify which island each lighthouse is on.

Husøygarden is also part of the area’s history. The farm is believed to have been at this location since the Middle Ages. This cautious dating makes Husøygarden a historical subject distinct from the lighthouses: here, the focus is on the presumed long-standing presence of a farm in the same place; there, on named locations and the first lighting of a lantern in 1867. Together, these details offer more than one way to explore Ona and Husøya when planning a trip—from the coastal landscape to local history.

Landscape, beach and birdlife

On Husøya, an open, fertile landscape meets Storsanden, a sandy beach. Both features offer their own reasons to visit: those interested in landscapes can get to know the island from that perspective, while beach lovers can set their sights on the specific place named Storsanden. The description of the beach is straightforward: Storsanden is a sandy beach on Husøya.

A total of 243 bird species have been observed on Ona and Husøya. This makes birdlife a distinct attraction alongside the beach, lighthouses and local history. Nature enthusiasts can factor this in when deciding what they would like to experience on their trip. Together with the open-sea setting, it paints a picture that is not limited to a single activity: the coastal character, landscape, birds and historic sites appeal to different interests.

What kind of stay suits your trip?

Ona is a good choice for travellers who want to discover a Norwegian fishing village by the open sea and combine their time there with nature and history. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider what you would like your stay to focus on: the location at the very edge of the open sea, the landscape and beach on Husøya, the birdlife that has been observed, or the lighthouses and the history of Husøygarden. These are different reasons to explore Ona and Husøya, allowing you to make a personal choice without limiting the islands to a single type of holiday.

If you would like to consider other destinations as well, discover Harøy.

For the broader travel overview: Sandøy.