Day 6: Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn and Berlevåg

Now we are approaching the very top of Norway (and Europe). Finally, the sun has come out but it's cold!

Øksfjord and Hammerfest are passed in the early hours and Havøysund is where we spend 15 minutes before heading east. Even though there is a passageway from the west, we have to go around the island to gain access.
In my 1982 photograph, there is no bridge near the town. In 1986, it was in the process of being built and now, in 2024 it's in use.

After leaving Havøysund, we head through the straight between the mainland and the island of Magerøya. Up until 1974, ships would sail north of the island, stop at Skarsvåg for those on the excursion to Nordkapp, and then continue to Honningsvåg. There are two reasons why this stopped. The first was that passengers had to transfer to a small boat to land at the port and, secondly, the price of fuel went up so it was no longer economical.

Now, passengers are bussed from Honningsvåg to visit Norkapp. There is an interesting museum at Honningsvåg which shows the development of the area over the years.

Kjøllefjord and its Finkirka followed and then we were well into the Barentshavet which, surpisingly enough, was as calm as a mill pond!

Ships used to call at Gamvik, where a small vessel would come out to the ship, and cargo and passengers were transferred between the two in a net hoisted from the derrick on the front of the ship.