Jan Mayen travel guide

Beerenberg Volcano (Photo: Dreizung, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jan Mayen (Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0)

Jan Mayen is an island between Greenland and Norway in the Arctic Ocean, administered by Norway. The island has 18 inhabitants, employed by the Norwegian Armed Forces or the Norwegian Institute of Meteorology.

Understand

This desolate, mountainous volcanic island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who supposedly discovered it in 1614 (though earlier claims have been reported). It was visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, and the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg Volcano (2,277 m) resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on Earth.

Climate

Entry is perilous as this is in the Arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog.

Get in

Jan Mayen is a part of the Schengen area, but does not have any border control. As a result, it is not permitted to go directly from a non-Schengen area and land on Jan Mayen, at least when citizens of non-Schengen countries are onboard. Instead, you must visit border control in Iceland, Norway or some other Schengen country before going to Jan Mayen.

Additionally, special permission is needed to visit the island.

By plane

There is a 1600-m unpaved airstrip. No commercial flights. A NDB (JAN 362kHz) is available for air traffic.

By boat

There are no natural harbours. You must bring your own boat or follow a dedicated trip. The Kvalrossbukta and Båtvika bay are often used for getting on shore using rubber zodiacs. A Norwegian company called EcoExpeditions organises 15-day trips to Jan Mayen from Tromsø.

By cruise ship

Some expedition cruise companies organise voyage stopping in Jan Mayen. Landing and a permit to visit the weather station may be granted from the Norwegian officials. Landing is weather-dependent (since there is no harbour for ships, so landing must be done in small boats).

See

• Beerenberg. The Beerenberg volcano is probably the main sight on Jan Mayen.

Do

Hiking

You are free to hike around the island, but not to camp. This means that the hiking range is limited.

Climbing

Climbing the Beerenberg is worth the journey; it has the highest sea view in the Nordic countries outside Greenland, if there is no fog, which there usually is. A climb is an expedition requiring experience and a high level of fitness.

However, since camping is forbidden, it is virtually impossible to climb the mountain legally, as the climb takes a lot of time. Getting permission is unlikely, but if you want to try, read jan-mayen.com. The midnight sun during summer time makes night hiking possible.

Buy

Whilst Jan Mayen is a Norwegian tax-free zone, there is no economic activity on Jan Mayen.

Eat and drink

As there are no shops or restaurants on the island; you will have to bring any provisions you will need yourself.

Sleep

There is no public accommodation on Jan Mayen. The only settlement, Olonkinbyen, houses Norwegian soldiers and meteorologists only. In addition, there are 9 small cabins around the island but these are for the use of these soldiers and meteorologists only.

Camping is forbidden.

Stay safe

The harsh Arctic climate and occasional volcanic activity are the greatest hazards. In January 2021, soldiers died in an avalanche.

Go next

If you want to explore extreme Norwegian lands, see also Svalbard in the Arctic and Bouvet Island in the Antarctic.

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