Boat trip to Hesnesøya island – "In the wake of Terje Vigen" – guided tour on the island
By Kystlaget Terje Vigen
Available from: June - August
Price From
Next available date: 30 Jun 2026
The old shrimp trawler "ØSTERØY" brings you out to Hesnesøya outside Grimstad, for roundwalk giving the historiy of the Island, includes elements of famous poet Henrik Ibsen, and his story about the poor firsheman rowing to Denmark for a couple of barrels of corn, to save his family from starvation
Join us for a historical guided tour based on the poem about Terje Vigen. The poet Henrik Ibsen lived in Grimstad for a few years between 1840 and 1850. As an apprentice pharmacist, he collected herbs among the islets, which may have sparked the idea for the story of Terje Vigen. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the poem tells of the English blockade that caused famine. Terje attempted to row to Denmark for grain but was captured and imprisoned. On this trip, we visit the areas described in the poem.
Ibsen's grandfather was the captain of the ship Caritas, which wrecked off Hesnes in 1798. A replica of the ship's bell now hangs at the old Hesnes school. We will walk there with a guide to learn about Hesnes as an important harbor during the age of sail. The tour runs every Tuesday from July 1st to August 5th. The guided walk on the island lasts approximately 1 hour. In case of bad weather, the captain may cancel the trip shortly before departure, in which case tickets will be refunded.
- Boat trip
- Island with cultural and maritime history
- Fisherman families settlements
Trip is not suitable for wheelchair passenger or other walking disabilities. Ticket for this tour gives free admission to the Maritime Museum in Hasseldalen
- Guide duirng boat trip out to island
- Another local guide for roundtrip on island
- You are eligible to receive a full refund of the booking amount if you cancel your reservation at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
Departure Torskeholmen at 11:00. Back in Grimstad by 14:30.
PRICE:
Adults: 300NOK
Children: 50 NOK
Meeting Point
Kystlaget Terje Vigen
KystlagetTerjeVigen er et lokallag under Forbundet Kysten. Vårt opererer i skjærgården fra Fevik i Øst til Homborsund i Vest.
Kystlaget skal fremme arbeidet for bevaring og almenn bruk av forskjellige elementer innen norsk kystkultur i overenstemmelse med forbundet Kystens formålsparagraf.
Vi skal legge særlig vekt på bevaring og allmenn bruk av tradisjonelle fartøyer, bygninger og anlegg, havner og kystmiljø forøvrig, som er særegne for distriktet.
Vi skal ha fokus på håndverksmessige tradisjoner innen næring, sjømannskap, livsform og lignende som har lokal tilknytning.
Vi skal samarbeide med lokale museer, foreninger og skoler og lignende om aktuelle kulturvernoppgaver.