Coastal
Vesterålen Rorbuer
Sea Fishing in Vesteralen 2026
Vesterålen Rorbuer sits on the quay at the head of the Straumsfjord in Straumsjøen, Bø, on the western side of Vesterålen. Restored 18th and 19th century rorbuer line the waterfront, with short runs out to the fishing grounds towards Hovden and Nykvåg.
Quick facts
Boat fleet
| Boat | Length | Engine | Count | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utleiebåt ved kai | 17 ft | 30 hp | 2 | Ekkolodd, GPS, Redningsutstyr |
Species and seasons
| Species | Jan–Mar | Apr–Jun | Jul–Sep | Oct–Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cod | Best | Best | Good | Good |
| Saithe | OK | Good | Best | Good |
| Halibut | OK | Good | Best | Good |
| Wolffish | OK | Good | Best | OK |
| Haddock | OK | Good | Best | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Best | Good |
Best= best seasonGood= goodOK= possible
Accommodation
Rorbu cabin (Ingvaldbua, Mareliusbua, Bardobua)
Units: 3 · Max guests: 6
Kjøkken · Bad/dusj · Oppvarming · Sengetøy · Håndklær · Sjøutsikt · Egen terrasse mot kaia
Large rorbu (Klausenbua, Hermanbua)
Units: 2 · Max guests: 9
Kjøkken · Stue · Bad/dusj · Oppvarming · Sengetøy · Håndklær · Sjøutsikt
Camping and motorhome pitches
Units: 1 · Max guests: 4
Strøm · Sanitæranlegg · Kort vei til Damperiet bryggekafé
Practical information
Address: Handkleppveien 14, 8475 Straumsjøen
Nearest airport: Stokmarknes (SKN) (55 km)
Website: www.vesteralenrorbuer.com
What we like about Vesterålen Rorbuer
- ✓Authentic 18th and 19th century rorbuer, restored to modern standard, on the quay in Straumsjøen
- ✓Damperiet quayside café on site serves short-travelled food based on fish landed in Bø
- ✓Short run out the Straumsfjord to sea fishing towards Hovden, Nykvåg and the continental shelf edge
- ✓Central base in Bø for whale safaris, eagle safaris and mountain hikes alongside the fishing
Worth knowing
- !Short season -- the operator runs June to August 10, closed in winter and the skrei season
- !Boat fleet is limited and must be booked early, especially under the midnight sun
- !Nearest airports are Stokmarknes or Andøya, then about an hour by road to Straumsjøen
Tips from experienced anglers
- 1Bø is known for dense white-tailed eagle populations -- bring binoculars and combine the fishing with an eagle safari from Hovden.
- 2The continental shelf edge is closer here than from most Lofoten camps -- deepwater halibut grounds are within reach in stable weather.
- 3Have dinner at the Damperiet quayside café at least one evening -- the restaurant is on the property and uses fish landed in Bø.
Frequently asked questions about Vesterålen Rorbuer
Where is Vesterålen Rorbuer located?
The site is at Handkleppveien 14 in Straumsjøen, at the head of the Straumsfjord in Bø municipality on the western side of Vesterålen. The nearest airports are Stokmarknes (SKN) and Andøya (ANX), both about an hour by road.
Which cabins can you rent?
Vesterålen Rorbuer has five cabins on site: Ingvaldbua, Mareliusbua, Bardobua, Klausenbua and Hermanbua. The buildings are original 18th and 19th century rorbuer, upgraded to modern standard. The Damperiet quayside café and camping and motorhome pitches are also part of the property.
When is Vesterålen Rorbuer open?
The season runs from June to August 10. The site is closed the rest of the year. Guests fish under the midnight sun and just after, but not during the winter skrei season.
Which species are caught from Straumsjøen?
Summer fishing from the Bø side of Vesterålen produces cod, saithe, haddock, wolffish and redfish on fjord and coastal grounds. Halibut is caught in deeper water towards the shelf edge in stable weather. Bø is north of 62°N, so the cod minimum is 44 cm inside the baseline and 55 cm outside.
How do you get to Straumsjøen?
Fly to Stokmarknes (SKN) or Andøya (ANX), rent a car and drive Rv82 and Fv820 west to Bø, then down to Straumsjøen. The Hurtigruten coastal steamer calls at Stokmarknes daily. From Bodø, take the ferry to Lofoten and continue by car over Hadsel and Sortland.
Planning a fishing trip to Vesterålen Rorbuer?
Fishing camps in Vesteralen use SafeCamp360 for catch reporting and quota tracking.