Description
Gjesværstappan is a group of high, steep-sided, grass-covered islands 15 km west of the Nordkapp cliff. The islands contain a large colony of seabirds and have been designated a nature reserve since 1983. The largest colonies of cliff-breeding seabirds are mainly located on the bird cliffs of the biggest island, Storstappen, and between June 15 and August 15 visitors are not allowed to set foot on this island. The amount of nesting birds is impressing: about 70 pairs of Karabatak; around 50 pairs of Tepeli Karabatak; 5000 to 10,000 pairs of Karaayaklı martı ; about 600 pairs of yaygın alk; 25 pairs of Kalın gagalı alk; about 2500 pairs of Usturagaga; and about 50,000 pairs of deniz papağanı. Also some Sümsükkuþu nest here. The islands are best visited May to August. Other birds you can see are Kara Alk, küçük alk and Akkuyruklu kartal.
Details
Access
Road to Gjesvaer, then boat. (Same island as Nordkapp. Nearest port and airport is Honningsvåg). A two-hour boat tour leaves from Gjesvær to Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve.
