Stories from the coast, island life and Havna
To tell the story of Havna's origins, we take you back to the 1800s. At that time, the Vestfold islands were far less populated than they are today, and for residents, everyday life revolved around the sea. It was hard work for the men, who were sent out to sea at an early age to work on boats, while the women who stayed behind ran the farms and managed the households. Tjøme's few farms had begun to attract young people offering service jobs, and it was no secret that fishing conditions in the fjord were excellent for those who chose to move out to the outer islands. The road from the mainland was rough and narrow, but horse and cart were often used to travel out to the islands — as far as the road would take them.
Traffic out to the island of Hvasser naturally passed through Tjøme. On the southwest side of Tjøme, the carts were unhitched from the horses and parked at a harbour area, where travellers could take a ferry onward to Vikerhomen on Hvasser. The final stretch had to be covered on horseback, as Hvasser's roads were in too poor a condition. The harbour area was locally known as "Havna", a descriptive place name typical of the many other local names of the time (such as Mølledammen, Kjøpmannsskjær, Vestveien and Kirkebygda).
By the mid-1800s, the population on the islands grew considerably, and the roads and harbour area became increasingly well-used. At the harbour stood Oterstig Farm, which experienced heavy traffic and various enquiries. In addition to the busy ferry landing, ships needed a stopover for supplies. The fishing boats needed ice for their holds, and ice sheds began appearing on Tjøme to serve them. In 1886, Oterstig's farm owner A. Reinert applied for a general store licence and built a shop by the beach. A cold storage shed was erected where the General Store stands today, which became a popular stop for seafarers and other travellers. The following year, an application was made for a guesthouse licence on the farm.
"I have furnished a number of rooms intended to receive travellers, and therefore hereby take the liberty of requesting the Board to grant me a licence as innkeeper" — A. Reinert.
Word spread about the fantastic summer islands at the outermost edge of the Færder strait. Local route boats began running between Tønsberg and the harbour on Tjøme, and soon larger steamships from the inner Oslofjord followed, offering both first-class and second-class tickets with onboard service. Tjøme established bathing spots from beaches and coastal rocks for the city folk's holiday experiences. A new era for island life had begun.
In 1902, the owner of Oterstig Farm, Mr Jacobsen, applied for a beer licence to serve summer tourists. It was clear that the long-distance travellers demanded more, and the offerings had to expand. New farm owners in 1910, Mr and Mrs Appelsvold, took the task seriously and erected a new building on the property: 18 rooms dedicated to overnight guests. With running water in both the kitchen and the washhouse, the guesthouse operation was in full swing. A large park was created around the house, with flower beds and fragrant roses. Much of the food Appelsvold served to the overnight guests was produced on site, as they had prior experience from a large estate. Cherry and peach trees were planted and a large vegetable garden was established. The asparagus they produced became such a sought-after delicacy that it had to be stipulated in the workers' contracts that the tenant farmers were not allowed to eat the asparagus — it was reserved exclusively for the guests. The guesthouse thrived, and was gradually expanded into a hotel through its success. In 1924, the establishment was renamed Havna Hotel.
Havna Hotel eventually became a highly attractive summer hotel, for both local residents and the capital's population. The area at this time still also had a well-run farm operation, with a barn, an orchard, and a paddock where the campsite is located today. The hotel came under the ownership of the Fjeld family, who were distinctive personalities who mingled with the guests.
The hotel had 50 rooms and space for 400 guests who would gather in the hotel's dining and dance hall. Distinguished guests were a regular sight, and the then Crown Prince Olav frequently moored at the dock with his sailing boat. Song and music filled the halls, and the Havna Song was written and performed each evening by the hotel director of the day. Well-known comedians, singers and actors contributed to the cultural life, and in more recent times the hotel has hosted the debut of several Norwegian entertainers and revue stars from its grand ballroom.
In 1969, Havna suffered a major fire, and the only surviving building is the present-day General Store, which was then called Peisen (The Fireplace), tragically enough. The hotel was rebuilt in a more modern form during the 1970s, and in 1986 it was acquired by the Rica chain. The Scandic chain operated the hotel in later years, before Norlandia Hotel Group took over operations in the summer of 2024. Rica and Norlandia have now, in close collaboration, spent recent years on an extensive renovation of the hotel building, and look forward to a new chapter in Havna's unique history. A tribute to seafaring, fine food and drink, sea bathing and entertainment. The Havna culture has been brought back to life.
Crab fishing has been a favourite activity among coastal children for generations. It is also a popular activity for children visiting Havna with their families throughout the summer. On the edge of the dock, you can often see young and old lying flat on their stomachs side by side, arms and heads pointing down into the water's surface, searching for movement on the seabed. At Havna, childhood memories shall not be forgotten. They shall be preserved. We make it easy for those memories to be recreated again and again. See our mini guide below to set the stage for the perfect fishing trip.
Equipment
Fishing spots at Havna
Water around one metre deep with rocks or seaweed is the perfect spot to search for crabs. The dock edge from the end of the restaurant towards the beach is an excellent stretch for crab fishing, and we can reveal a few good catches here. On the beach, the youngest ones can have fun searching for baby crabs in the shallows while wading.
Tips, customs and usage on the shore
During the summer, Havna Hotel & Sjøbad sells all fishing equipment to residents and visitors.
Good crab fishing!
Experiencing summer on Tjøme and its surroundings has long been a unique affair. In Norway's elongated land, we have a varied nature that also reflects the lifestyle of our towns. Tjøme is one of Vestfold's many islands, from inhabited islands to small skerries, and the locals know every nook and shallow.
The boatlife on the islands is a natural part of everyday life, and owning a boat privately is quite common. Whether you own a dinghy or a yacht, boat trips, maintenance and care are planned year-round. When spring arrives, the marinas are full of boat enthusiasts carrying out maintenance on their boats, going through equipment, launching the boats and enjoying the gathering of young and old who share the same enthusiasm. For many, childhood memories are the smell of fibreglass filler, dried seaweed and warm toddy from grandfather's thermos from precisely these preparation days. The boat is launched as soon as possible, to enjoy a long summer season by the water. Trips on the water are planned early, and the common holiday weeks are often devoted to boatlife, so the whole family can travel together for a longer stretch at a time.
A boat trip can be a tour around the archipelago islands, to enjoy the views, observe the wildlife, and feel the sea air on your face. The maiden voyage each spring, where the helmsman steers the boat towards the horizon of deep waters and feels the power of the horsepower, or the wind in the sails, is an often-described feeling of bliss.
A boat trip can be an excursion to a specific island. It is not unusual for families to have a regular island they visit, a favourite island that has just the right height of coastal rock to suit their boat, a perfect spot where they know they can enjoy island life in solitude, and where the boat sits perfectly sheltered from weather and wind. The boat can then be loaded with food and drink in cool bags, sun mattresses, towels and toys for the children. People often spend the night out on the island, either in the boat's cabin or in a tent with sleeping bags if conditions are not too rough. The charm is waking up to a morning swim from the coastal rock, or to a flock of sheep that has been placed on the island to graze down the vegetation, waking you with their chewing on the tent fabric.
A boat trip can also be cruising from harbour to harbour. The boating community loves to leave their most familiar archipelago to seek out the pleasant fellowship found in the harbours of Norway's coastal summer towns. The boat's flag is lowered and secured, the boat loaded with gear for fair and foul weather, and on the way from coast to coast, an ice cream must always be enjoyed on the dockside while filling the tank. In every harbour, the boat folk ensure a pleasant atmosphere among boat owners. Children come together to fish crabs from the docks, and long, light summer evenings can be enjoyed with something good to drink and fine music, under a warm canopy.
At Havna Hotel & Sjøbad, we share the joy of boating with our guests. We have a dock for subscribers who enjoy the boatlife at the marina for much of the year, and the guest dock as a safe and cosy harbour for boating tourists in the summer. From the docks, the holiday memories you will want to repeat are created — year after year.
The svaberg (smooth coastal rocks) of Tjøme are truly special, and help shape the distinctive nature of Færder National Park. The word svaberg comes from the Old Norse name Sva, meaning "smooth place".
The smooth svaberg was formed during the last ice age, when Norway had a thousand-metre-thick layer of ice over its landmass. As the ice mass began to melt, it moved by means of meltwater settling as a layer between rock and ice. Through this movement, the water carried along stones and other material, which ground the rock masses smooth under the enormous weight of the ice. Sometimes the weight of the ice fractured the bedrock, dragging large rock fragments along with it. Today, with a careful eye, we can see stripes in the rock showing in which direction the ice moved, and where the pressure became too great and broke the stone clean across. Vestfold is also known for having some of the most varied rock types on beaches in Norway, as the ice from northern Norway carried stones with it as it moved southward. Have you ever counted how many different types of stone you have found at the water's edge?
We have several svaberg at Havna Hotel & Sjøbad for you to enjoy. In the summertime, you can take a swim from the coastal rocks that face towards Hvasser. Fine, silky-smooth svaberg are warmed by the sun, and after a brisk dip, it is an experience to lie straight down on the rock and feel the warmth against your skin.
For a more active day, you can have fun swinging on the zipline and climbing Via Ferrata between Tjøme's deep svaberg gorges at the activity centre just above the hotel.
On the roads from the mainland out to the islands, you can find several brown tourist signs pointing the way to potholes (jettegryter) that were formed in the rock by the ice masses. At Moutmarka you will find rolling-stone beaches, and at the World's End you can see prime examples of glacial striations and fractures in the rock formations.
We strongly recommend exploring the island's unique nature on your next visit. See us at reception if you would like tips for walks and hikes.
A wedding by the sea offers a romantic and scenic experience. The ocean provides a natural, free and beautiful backdrop, suitable for both a formal and a bohemian ceremony. Many seek a wedding location that offers both visual impact and accessibility, to create unforgettable memories in comfortable surroundings.
"The ocean represents eternity and beauty"
At Havna Hotel & Sjøbad, we have extensive experience with seaside weddings. The hotel's location is perfectly ideal, with a large number of accommodation options and a function venue right by the water, as well as excellent possibilities for a spectacular ceremony with the sea as a backdrop. The hotel provides the opportunity for celebration in natural surroundings, along with arrangements for guest comfort, catering and entertainment all in one place.
Havna has a fascinating history, with guesthouse and hotel operations stretching back well over 100 years. The venue has been known for distinguished guests who travel from far and wide to enjoy the naturally romantic setting by the sea, and in times past, King Olav himself moored at Havna with his sailing boat. With the hotel's recent renovation, the big day can be enjoyed in elegant, new premises, with elements of old traditions and fascinating history that so beautifully set the stage for a memorable wedding.
By the sea, you can take the most beautiful photographs. There are several spots around the hotel that offer wonderful photo opportunities, and we are fortunate to be just minutes from the World's End, where you have access to the mighty horizon of the open sea. We create accessibility for photography for both the wedding couple and guests, by working with planners, florists and photographers who excel at staging magical moments.
"The sea witness the party"
Memories are made from the big and small moments. When the couple says yes before the strait's gentle sea breeze. When grandfather raises a toast to everyone around the table in joy at having eaten the best fish soup he has ever tasted. When the in-laws take a dance in front of the band playing on the dock, and when a friend jumps into the water at sunset because he lost the evening's bet. The party begins when the setting is ready — and at Havna, everything is ready.