The sea temperature at Lofoten (Hamnøy) today is 9.9 °C (50 °F) – only for cold-water swimmers. The usual October average is 10 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 11.3 °C to 9.9 °C. Rarely swimmable – the sea seldom averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.0°C / 41.0°F | 5.5°C / 41.9°F | 6.0°C / 42.7°F |
| February | 4.3°C / 39.7°F | 4.7°C / 40.4°F | 5.0°C / 41.0°F |
| March | 3.9°C / 38.9°F | 4.3°C / 39.7°F | 4.6°C / 40.3°F |
| April | 4.0°C / 39.1°F | 4.4°C / 39.8°F | 4.7°C / 40.5°F |
| May | 5.7°C / 42.3°F | 6.0°C / 42.8°F | 6.4°C / 43.4°F |
| June | 8.6°C / 47.4°F | 9.4°C / 49.0°F | 10.4°C / 50.7°F |
| July | 11.8°C / 53.3°F | 12.8°C / 55.0°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F |
| August | 12.2°C / 53.9°F | 13.5°C / 56.2°F | 14.8°C / 58.7°F |
| September | 10.8°C / 51.5°F | 11.9°C / 53.4°F | 12.9°C / 55.3°F |
| October | 9.4°C / 49.0°F | 10.0°C / 50.0°F | 10.6°C / 51.1°F |
| November | 8.3°C / 47.0°F | 8.5°C / 47.3°F | 8.8°C / 47.8°F |
| December | 6.3°C / 43.4°F | 6.9°C / 44.3°F | 7.5°C / 45.6°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.8°C / 35.2°F | 1.8°C / 35.2°F | 1.8°C / 35.3°F |
| February | 2.1°C / 35.7°F | 2.1°C / 35.9°F | 2.3°C / 36.1°F |
| March | 2.0°C / 35.7°F | 2.1°C / 35.7°F | 2.2°C / 35.9°F |
| April | 2.8°C / 37.1°F | 3.0°C / 37.4°F | 3.3°C / 37.9°F |
| May | 5.7°C / 42.2°F | 5.9°C / 42.7°F | 6.2°C / 43.2°F |
| June | 9.2°C / 48.6°F | 9.5°C / 49.2°F | 9.8°C / 49.6°F |
| July | 12.3°C / 54.2°F | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 12.9°C / 55.1°F |
| August | 13.0°C / 55.4°F | 13.1°C / 55.7°F | 13.3°C / 56.0°F |
| September | 10.8°C / 51.5°F | 11.0°C / 51.7°F | 11.2°C / 52.1°F |
| October | 7.4°C / 45.3°F | 7.3°C / 45.2°F | 7.4°C / 45.4°F |
| November | 4.5°C / 40.2°F | 4.5°C / 40.2°F | 4.5°C / 40.2°F |
| December | 2.4°C / 36.3°F | 2.4°C / 36.3°F | 2.4°C / 36.2°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Hamnøy holidays
Red and ochre fishermen's cabins on stilts line the shore of Hamnøy, a small fishing village on its own islet beside Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago of northern Norway, with granite peaks rising straight out of the fjord behind them. The E10 road crosses to Hamnøy on bridges, and Reine lies just across the water.
Beaches
Hamnøy itself has rocky shores rather than a beach, but Lofoten has white-sand beaches that look tropical in photographs, even though the Norwegian Sea is cold all year. Bunes Beach, near Reine, is reached by a short boat ride across the Reinefjord and a walk. Kvalvika, on the north side of Moskenesøya, lies in a bay that can only be reached on foot over a mountain pass. Ramberg, beside the E10 on Flakstadøya, has sand right next to the road, and Haukland and Uttakleiv on Vestvågøy have shallow bays that suit families on a summer day.
Things to do
Reinebringen, the mountain above Reine, has a stone staircase built by Nepalese Sherpas up to a viewpoint over Reine, Hamnøy and the fjords; the hike is recommended only in the snow-free season, roughly May to September, and current conditions should be checked before setting out. Å, at the end of the E10, has a fishing village museum and a stockfish museum, and wooden racks of drying cod stand beside the road in late winter and spring. The Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg, on Vestvågøy, has a rebuilt Viking chieftain's longhouse. Kayaking in the fjords and fishing trips leave from Reine and Hamnøy.
Weather and best time to visit
The sea at Hamnøy warms fastest from May to June, by about 3 °C (6 °F) in one month.
The Gulf Stream gives Lofoten milder winters than its Arctic latitude suggests, but the weather changes quickly, with rain and strong wind in every season. The midnight sun shines from late May to mid-July, while the northern lights can be seen on clear, dark nights from about September to early April. Around the turn of the year the sun stays below the horizon. Summer is the busiest season, and late winter is popular with photographers.
Hotels and where to stay
Most places to stay around Hamnøy and Reine are rorbuer, traditional fishermen's cabins converted into holiday accommodation, often built over the water. Larger hotels are found in Svolvær and Leknes, further east.
Signature hotels: Eliassen Rorbuer (Hamnøy)
Airport and getting there
Leknes Airport (LKN) is about 55 km east of Hamnøy by road, a drive of around an hour, with flights from Bodø. The car ferry from Bodø to Moskenes takes about three to four hours and lands roughly 10 km from Hamnøy. Harstad/Narvik Airport (EVE) has more flights from Oslo and is about five hours away by car.