The bird cliffs of Hornøya are renowned for their close encounters with seabirds and exceptional photographic opportunities. Puffins, guillemots and razorbills breed right beside the trail. The wintry conditions in the early arctic spring create fantastic conditions for photography, and Hornøya is one of very few places where you can photograph puffins in snow.

 

Access to the island has been restricted to guided visits only. We offer dedicated guided day trips during the best part of the season, for photographers who wish to experience Hornøya at its finest.  

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Hornøya

Hornøya is a small island in the Barents Sea in northern Norway, located one kilometre off the town of Vardø at 70 degrees north. Uninhabited by people since 1991, it becomes home to around 80,000 seabirds during the spring and summer months. In a world of declining seabird populations, Hornøya is one of few places with stable populations. The views and soundscape are incredible and almost overwhelming as you step ashore. From the moment you arrive, seabirds are present in every direction.

 

Puffins, Common guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, European Shags, Brünnichs guillemots and Kittiwakes all breed in the bird cliffs at Hornøya. The majority are found in the west-facing cliffs, where we will spend the most of our time on the island. The trail from the landing site to the lighthouse lead you straight through the colony, with seabirds all around you. Busy with finding their mate and establishing terretories, you can experience the seabirds natural behavior from a short distance, giving exceptional opportunities for photography. The large number of seabirds also attracts birds of prey. White-tailed eagles, Ravens and Gyrfalcons regularly visit the bird cliffs.

 

The seabirds spend the winter far out at sea, returning to Hornøya in mid to late March in preparation for the breeding season. At this time, snow still covers the ground, making Hornøya one of the few places where seabirds can be photographed in winter conditions. But even though it might feel like winter, the birds are getting ready for breeding season. Excpect lots of interactions, courtship and even mating. Combined with the exceptional access and close encounters, this creates unique opportunities for photography. As the breeding sites remain covered by snow, puffins and razorbills begin establishing territories in the areas where nesting burrows and cavities will emerge once the snow melts. This often leads to intense territorial disputes and physical confrontations, where even typically calm species such as puffins engage in aggressive, and at times bloody, fights. 

 

Hornøya is protected as a nature reserve. As a measure to address the critical situation for seabirds in Norway, as well as the increasing number of visitors to Hornøya, the Norwegian government closed the island to public access in 2025. Since then, you must be accompanied by a guide at Hornøya. Photo Tours Norway is a among a select group of tour operators with a guiding permit. 

 

The guide will provide you with knowledge about bird behaviour, their patterns, and where to position yourself to get the images you are after. Arriving at Hornøya can be an overwhelming experience. With birds everywhere you look, it can be difficult to know where to start. The guide has detailed knowledge of where the best photographic opportunities are for the different species found on Hornøya, and can help you with positioning, practical photography tips and creative ideas.

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Group size and level of fitness

This tour is open to individuals and small groups. To ensure a high-quality photography experience, group size is limited to a maximum of seven participants. A smaller group allows for a quieter presence in the field, increasing the chances of close encounters and providing more space and flexibility for each participant to work with their subjects.

Hornøya is a relatively small island. The trail through the bird cliffs is generally easy going with some uphill sections towards the northern part of the island, where stairs are provided. The trail network extends less than one kilometre from the landing site to the lighthouse.

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Itinerary*

 

On the day of the tour, we meet at Vardø Harbour at 08:45. The boat departs at 09:00. A short boat transfer of approximately 15 minutes brings us to the island. The day is spent in the company of tens of thousands of seabirds, and exceptional photo opportinies with charismatic seabirds like puffins, razorbills, guillemots, shags, kittiwakes and more. With a bit of luck, both white-tailed eagles and gyrfalcons can be seen hunting in the cliffs. We remain on Hornøya until the final scheduled return at 17:00, although earlier departures can be arranged if needed. 

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Before the visit to Hornøya, your guide will provide an introduction covering the island’s history, the bird cliffs and their conservation status, the species present, current regulations, and guidance on field conduct and photographic opportunities. 

 

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Fill in the booking form or send us a message here to register your interest. Each day trip is subject to sufficient interest and has to be booked well ahead in time. Please don't wait until the last moment. ​​

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*Disclaimer: The boat transfer to Hornøya may be cancelled if weather conditions make the journey unsafe. This decision is made by Vardø Harbour Service, which operates the boat. In the event of a cancellation, our guide can take you for a day trip to alternative locations along the Varanger coast for wildlife photography, or reschedule your visit to Hornøya for the next available day, subject to availability.

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