Færder National Park is one of Norway’s most important coastal areas for outdoor recreation, and large parts of it are protected as publicly-owned recreation areas. Popular activities include boat trips, kayaking, water sports, hiking, fishing and bathing. The national park and its vicinity constitute an important all-year recreation area for residents, holiday home owners and visitors from all over eastern Norway.

Water sports

The national park is perfect for all kinds of water sports: sailing, kayaking, rowing, kitesurfing and diving. Each summer there are sailing regattas from Fjærholmen and Sandøsund. Kayaks/canoes can be hired at Verdens Ende, while boats are available for hire at Sandøsund. The areas south of Sandø/Hvasser and out towards Færder/Store Færder are popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers throughout the year.

List of suppliers

Boat trips

If you come with your own boat, the many marinas on the fringes of the national park have boat ramps and/or launch cranes. Particularly if you need a crane, it is worth contacting them in advance. There are also a number of companies offering taxi boat services and charters for bigger groups.

List of suppliers

Fishing

You can fish with a rod or line for personal consumption anywhere in the national park throughout the year. The easily accessible smooth rock slopes at Verdens Ende are popular with anglers. If you have your own boat there are good fishing spots almost everywhere. Lobsters can only be caught between 1 October and 31 December, and only outside the protected areas.

BROCHURE ON LEISURE FISHING (NORWEGIAN)Lobster protected area map

Cycling

The national park is a paradise for cyclists! A continuous cycle path runs the whole way from Tønsberg to the visitor centre at Verdens Ende (almost 30 km). The perfect way to combine fresh air, beautiful countryside and exercise!

List of suppliers

Hiking and running

Visit outtt.com for hiking suggestions in and around Færder national park. If you download the app Outtt, you can get the routes and maps directly to your mobile phone.

Climbing

Aktiv Fritid’s Via Ferrata on Tjøme is an excellent option for climbers. So is the abandoned Torås fort, on the edge of the park near Verdens Ende. Tjønneberget at the south end of Hvasser is another great climbing area just outside the park. All of these are easily accessible without the need for a boat.

Read more about Aktiv Fritid

Swimming

Færder National Park and the surrounding area offers some of the best places in Norway for swimming in the sea, ranging from the smooth rocks at Verdens Ende to the sandy beaches at the north end of Sandø and at Lilleskagen on Hvasser.

Here’s a good overview

Golf

Tjøme golf club has one of Norway’s most beautiful golf courses, and the only one in Scandinavia with a double nine configuration. It is a classic course set in parkland with majestic oak trees. There is a pleasant café in the historic farm Rød Gård. Pro shop and practice facilities. Nøtterøy golf club’s 18-hole course at Borgheim also enjoys a beautiful setting. Clubhouse with restaurant, pro shop, etc. Pitch and putt course with 6 holes, driving range.

Riding

There is a riding centre on Tjøme, right next door to the national park visitor centre. Stall Verdens Ende offers riding camps, a riding school, weekend courses, horse treks, stabling, riding lessons and many other activities as well. The horse treks mainly explore the areas around the national park.

Visit "Stall Verdens Ende"

Inspiration

It is fascinating to see how nature changes over the course of the year. The national park and surrounding area offer lots of great fishing, hiking and cycling. Some winters you can even put your skis on! That is a unique experience. Or what about following the north coast of Hvasser on a winter’s day, or walking the length of Tjøme when the wood anemone is in bloom? If you have a dog, you’re welcome to bring it along, but remember to keep it on a leash between 1 April and 15 October. In seabird nesting areas a leash must be used all year round.

Food and drink

Feeling peckish or thirsty? Don’t worry – there are plenty of options! Sample some local food in the visitor centre’s own restaurant, or head to one of the many cafés and restaurants in Sandøsund on Hvasser, in Tjøme village or in Teie on Nøtterøy. Tønsberg also has a wide range of restaurants. Many businesses choose to use local ingredients, like asparagus or amandine potatoes from Hvasser, locally reared organic chicken and local seafood. If you want to self-cater, there are well-stocked shops in the abovementioned locations, as well as a summer shop at Havna on Tjøme.

See all suppliers

Galleries and studios

Particularly in the summer months, there are numerous galleries, studios, workshops selling craft products, etc. on the fringes of the national park.

Tjøme Kunst og Håndverk is a group of local artists who put on a joint annual exhibition together with selected guest artists. This year’s exhibition will be open from1-31 July at Tjøme secondary school, Viktors vei 2. Each weekend in August Tjøme historical society will host a photography exhibition from Greenland at Øvre Haug Gård, Viktors vei 1.

See all suppliers

Historical societies

Nøtterøy, Tjøme and Hvasser all have thriving historical societies that arrange events in high summer. You can naturally also get in touch with them if you have any questions about local history, genealogy and other relevant topics.

Photo: Tjøme folkebibliotek

See all suppliers

Other activities

Heia Eidene is a Norwegian Red Cross holiday centre that is open all year round for holidays, company events and leisure trips. It has two striking buildings in the forest, based on ancient designs, with an adventure course as their nearest neighbour. There are replica optical telegraphs from the Napoleonic era on Eidenetoppen and at the abandoned Torås fort in the direction of Verdens Ende.

Aktiv Fritid has its own Base Camp at Sjøbodsand near Verdens Ende. Activities include a treetop adventure park, teambuilding, cycle tours, cycle hire, Via Ferrata climbing, rappelling, sustainable and environmental activities and sampling local organic food from Vestfold.

See other activities