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Territory of Norway

Antarctic

Bouvet IslandTravel guide

Explore Bouvet Island visa rules

Bouvet Island, also called Bouvetøya, is an uninhabited Norwegian dependency in the Southern Ocean. It lies 2,600 km south-southwest of Cape Town and is almost completely covered in ice. Visiting requires a specialist expedition.

Why go

  1. A remote volcanic island surrounded by steep cliffs.

  2. Olavtoppen, the island’s highest point at 780 metres.

  3. Large colonies of penguins, with seals and whales in the surrounding waters.

  4. A protected nature reserve covering the island and its nearby waters.

Getting there

By air

  • There is no landing strip. Helicopters carried by ships can land, but fog and wind often make this difficult.
  • Most visitors have arrived and left by helicopter. An expedition using a helicopter needs a separate permit.

By sea

  • The island is far from cruise ship routes and has no harbour. An expedition ship may be able to anchor on the side sheltered from the wind.
  • A small boat could approach the shore, but landing may mean climbing steep cliffs.

Customs

  • You need permission from the Norwegian Polar Institute to visit.
  • Helicopter use also needs a permit.

Getting around

  • Crossing the ice

    Almost 93% of the island is covered by glaciers. Their deep cracks are not mapped. You need specialist skills and techniques to cross this ground. You may not enter Nyrøysa from November to March unless you are part of an approved monitoring team.

  • Helicopter

    The helicopter that brings you may be the simpler way to move between places on the island.

What to see and do

  • Olavtoppen

    The island’s summit rises to 780 metres. The Wilhelm Plateau lies to its west, and a volcanic crater lies to its south.

  • Kapp Valdivia

    The northern tip is named after the survey ship that mapped the island in 1898.

  • Kapp Circoncision

    The French sighted this cape on 1 January 1739. A Norwegian expedition camped here in 1928–29.

  • Nyrøysa

    A landslide created this ice-free area of loose rock, where an automated weather station stands. Entry is restricted.

  • Kapp Norvegia

    Inland are Lykketoppen, at 766 metres, and the double-peaked Mosbytoppane, at 670 metres. The Bennskjæra rocky islets lie offshore.

  • Larsøya

    Bouvet’s only significant small island is about 400 metres long. The first landing was in 1927.

Food and drink

  • Bring all food

    There is no food to buy. Carry everything you need and extra supplies in case your departure is delayed.

  • Water

    Bring a way to melt ice and plenty of fuel. Water carried with you will soon freeze, and melting blocks of ice uses a lot of fuel.

Money

  • There is nothing to buy on the island. Bring everything you need, plus spare supplies in case you get stuck.

Typical costs

  • Chartering a ship and a helicopter expedition can cost more than $1 million.

Staying safe

  • Treat returning safely as the main aim of the expedition. The island is a hazardous environment.
  • Glaciers contain deep cracks that are not mapped. Crossing them requires specialist skills.
  • Steep cliffs and the lack of a harbour make landing difficult.
  • Strong winds, frequent blizzards and fog can affect travel and helicopter access.

Local customs

Do

  • Follow cleaning procedures before arrival to avoid introducing plants from other sub-Antarctic islands.
  • Take everything away with you, including all rubbish.
  • Respect the island and surrounding waters as a nature reserve.

Don't

  • Do not enter Nyrøysa from November to March unless you belong to an approved monitoring team.
  • Do not bring in rodents or plant material. The island has remained free of rats.

Staying healthy

  • Prepare for severe cold with equipment made for polar conditions.
  • Carry enough fuel to melt ice for drinking water, as water brought with you will soon freeze.

Phone and internet

  • You need a radio link to your support ship, which will have a satellite phone.
  • The island has the internet domain ending .bv, but Norway keeps it unused.

Where to stay

  • There is no accommodation and no sheltered place to stay.
  • Sleep on your ship if possible.
  • Staying ashore requires heavy-duty camping equipment made for polar conditions and a way to melt ice for water.

Outdoor adventures in Bouvet Island

Bouvet Island is a remote, uninhabited island covered almost entirely by ice. Its outdoor highlights include Olavtoppen and wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales. High winds, frequent blizzards, icy ground and difficult coastal access make it a hazardous place for inexperienced travellers.

  • Bouvet Island wildlife watching

    WildlifeBouvet Island and surrounding waters

    There is no sheltered harbour. Visitor transport, operators and wildlife-watching trips are not specified.

    • Permit: The island and its surrounding territorial waters are a nature reserve. Entry to Nyrøysa is restricted; other permission requirements are not specified.
    • High winds and frequent blizzards make conditions hazardous.
    • The coast has cliffs reaching 500 metres.

  • Olavtoppen ascent

    ClimbingBouvet Island

    No visitor climbing route, guide service or transport arrangement is specified. Coastal access is difficult because there is no sheltered harbour.

    • Permit: The island is a nature reserve. Climbing permission requirements are not specified.
    • The island is almost completely covered by ice.
    • High winds and frequent blizzards create hazardous conditions.

Questions

Is Bouvet Island part of Norway?

Bouvet Island is a territory linked to Norway, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit Norway.

Does a Norway visa let me visit Bouvet Island?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for Norway may not cover Bouvet Island. Check the Bouvet Island visa page for your passport.

Where is Bouvet Island?

It is in the Southern Ocean, 2,600 km south-southwest of Cape Town. It is a dependency of Norway.

Does anyone live there?

No. The island is uninhabited.

How can I reach the island?

Visitors generally need an expedition ship and often a helicopter. There is no harbour or landing strip.

How much could an expedition cost?

Chartering a ship and a helicopter expedition can cost more than $1 million.

Can I walk around easily?

No. Almost 93% of the island is covered by glaciers with unmapped cracks, so specialist skills are needed.

What wildlife is there?

There are macaroni penguins, other penguins and southern fulmars. Seals and whales live in the surrounding waters.

Can I buy food or drinking water?

There is nothing to buy. Bring all supplies and a way to melt ice for water, with enough fuel.

Where can I sleep?

There is no accommodation. Sleep on your ship if possible; staying ashore requires camping equipment made for polar conditions.

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