Sunset over Lovund island on the Helgeland coast
Lurøy · Helgeland · Nordland

Lovund

IslandofEntrepreneursandPuffins

L ovund is one of the most entrepreneurial coastal communities and plays a leading role in Norwegian aquaculture. The 500 inhabitants have loads of opportunities – and loads of crazy cute puffins!

Residents ~500
Landscape Island & Mountains
Industry Aquaculture
Municipality Lurøy
Region Helgeland
County Nordland
School Grades 1–10

Island Life

The island of Lovund is small, with dramatic and beautiful scenery. Red wooden houses are huddled beneath a towering rocky outcrop that rises more than 600 meters above sea level. Lovund is situated on the Helgeland coast, and many of the people here earn a living from the sea, primarily through salmon farming.

And when we say dramatic scenery, we mean dramatic. To the west, the mountain slopes steeply down into the ocean. There is no archipelago here to shield against the open sea, and the waves always roll heavily toward the shore. On the southern side, the landscape is different. There are sheltered coves and steep, sharp valleys cutting into the mountains. However, the archipelago is small and does not provide shelter for boats when storms arrive. So how did people ever end up here? The answer is to be found on the eastern side. Here, the mountains transition into a sheltered beachfront. And here, in the shelter of a mighty archipelago, people have discovered since the Stone Age that they could make the island their home.

Today, there are still some farmers at Lovund, and a couple of hundred sheep roam the fields and mountains.

Young Tech

Lovund is a good place for aspiring tech people, inventors and entrepreneurs. “Ctrl Makerspace” is a center for technology and culture for both youth from 7th grade and adults. Youth can book activities for free during opening hours, while adults can take advantage of the offerings outside of opening hours. Here, you’ll find a photo studio, 3D printer, podcast facilities, VR (Virtual Reality), and robots. In the project room, you can edit films, create animations, edit photos, and digitally draw using a drawing tablet. The computer is fully equipped with the Adobe suite. How awesome is that?

Puffins Galore!

If you love puffins, Lovund is the place to be. Especially at April 14th, known as “Lundkommardag” – this is the day the locals celebrate the puffins arrival. The island is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in all of Norway. The flying beauties arrive at the nature reserve Lundeura, a mighty field of stones that stretches from a narrow beachfront and up toward the steep slopes. Here, during the breeding season lasting from April to August, the puffin colony resides.

Puffins at Lovund

Puffins at Lovund. Photo: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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So. Many. Opportunities

For an island of this humble size, Lovund has a lot to offer. A lot. We’ll simply serve you the ABC of Lovund.

A
Art and Second-Hand Store

Svitsj is a self-service store at Lovund. It is a store for used clothing, local art, and “Lovund products.” Customers purchase the item via Vipps.

B
Beach Plenty of swimming opportunities, and with a kiosk nearby!
Boating

Lovund Boat Association is an active association, and has 39 permanent berths, as well as space for additional guest boats. The entire dock facility was replaced in the spring of 2019 with a brand-new concrete structure.

C
Choir

Kor I Havet is a mixed choir with approximately 20 enthusiastic members. The choir holds regular rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. The choir always welcomes new members, and no prior knowledge or previous choir experience is required to join.

Church

Lovund Church is built by and owned by the congregation of Lovund. There are 12 regular church services held each year.

Cultural Association

Lovund Cultural Association aims to promote cultural offerings and cultural activities on Lovund.

Culture Center

The Coastal Culture Center was originally a fish reception center with a long and rich history. Exhibitions showcasing houses, work, birds, fishing, and hunting, as well as their significance to the outer Helgeland region, are illustrated through fantastic displays, some of which have been created through volunteer work. Here, you can find Norway’s largest collection of paintings by Helgeland artists. The center is open during the summer months and on special occasions.

F
Free Church

The Free Church is an evangelical Lutheran religious community that was established on Lovund over a hundred years ago.

G
Gas/Diesel Next to the grocery store.
Groceries

Joker Lovund sells groceries, miscellaneous items, and fuel.

Gym

Lovund Fitness Center is located in the multipurpose hall, and is equipped with modern exercise equipment. A separate membership is required to use this facility. After registration, a key card is provided for access to the unmanned center.

H
Hotel

Lovund Hotel, overlooking Leira Bay, is located one kilometer from Lovund ferry pier.

K
Kindergarten

Lovund Kindergarten has 54 slots, with personell that are available, present, and inclusive for the children.

L
Library

At the school, there is a small library that is open two afternoons a week. The library has a limited selection of books but can obtain the books that are requested for borrowing. The library also has a computer for public use.

M
Movie Theater

Lovund has a village movie theatre where the exact same films shown in regular cinemas in Norway are screened. There are two movies shown each time there is a village cinema event, one for children and one later in the evening for adults. Snacks, candy, soft drinks and popcorn are available for purchase.

Multipurpose Hall

It’s big, it’s new! On the ground floor, you’ll find a large activity hall with a stage, a school kitchen, and dressing rooms. Here, you can play corporate football, volleyball, and other organized activities. This is also where the village cinema takes place. On the second floor, you’ll find Lovund’s gym and Lovund Youth Club. The hall is rented out to various organizations.

Music Association

Lovund Music Association has a practice room which you can use freely as a member. The practice room is equipped with instruments and other musical equipment. The music association organizes concerts and other cultural activities throughout the year. They also have an extra focus on the youth.

O
Outdoorsy Rental

Lovund Rentals offer kayak, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), bicycle, and electric scooter rentals during the summer season, both for shorter and longer periods.

S
School

Lovund School has around 80 students from 1st to 10th grade. The school has recently been expanded and renovated, with the new multipurpose hall adjacent to it.

Simulator Golf

Lovund introduced simulator golf a couple of years ago. To take advantage of this offer, you must be a member. Tournaments will also take place.

Soccer Field Check!
Sports Club

Lovund Youth and Sports Club is run on a volunteer basis. The club is responsible for sports and activities for children, youth, and adults. LUIL organizes football training and tournaments, children’s gymnastics, multisport activities, volleyball, circuit training for adults, and activities through the water sports group, such as dinghy sailing and kayaking.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is located adjacent to Lovund School. The pool is 12.5 meters long, and there is also a small wading pool for the youngest children. The pool is open from approximately October to March and is used during the daytime by the school and kindergarten. It is also open to the public on certain evenings of the week. The use of the swimming pool is free, but as a token of appreciation, local residents are required to serve as lifeguards.

Squash

Lovund Squash Club practices in the squash hall, which is located adjacent to Lovund Hotel. As a member of the squash club, you can train for free.

T
Tech

As earlier mentioned, Ctrl Makerspace is a place for creativity and technology to flow and blossom.

W
Women’s and Family Association

Lovund Women’s and Family Association is part of the national organization, a politically neutral interest organization that works on issues related to women and family politics.

Y
Youth Club

Lovund Youth Club has billiards, air hockey, various games, a kitchen, and a disco. The club is a meeting place for children and youth from 5th to 10th grade.

In other words, enough to do and explore at the island of Lovund!

Panoramic view of Lovund island

The island of Lovund. Photo: Mahlum, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Village Services

What’s Here

Services, activities, and amenities available in Lovund and within a short drive.

Public Services

IN THE VILLAGE
  • School (grades 1–10)
  • Kindergarten
  • Church
  • Library
  • Ferry connections

Private Services

IN THE VILLAGE
  • Grocery store (Joker)
  • Hotel
  • Gas/Diesel
  • Art & second-hand store

Leisure

IN THE VILLAGE
  • Swimming pool
  • Gym
  • Squash
  • Soccer field
  • Simulator golf
  • Kayak & SUP rental
  • Youth club
  • Choir

Within 45 min

REGIONAL ACCESS
  • Træna (nearest larger island)
  • Stokkvågen (mainland)
Location

Where is Lovund?

Lovund is an island in Lurøy municipality on the Helgeland coast in Nordland county, northern Norway. Accessible by ferry from the mainland.

Lovund

Municipality Lurøy
Region Helgeland
County Nordland
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Sources & Credits

Photography

Main photo by Trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Puffins photo by Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Panorama photo by Mahlum, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Text

Text by Marion Solheim, journalist and co-founder of Freysta.