PRACTICAL INFORMATION
How to get here
Getting to Manshausen is surprisingly easy, and you have many travel options. Whether you are travelling by express boat, private boat, by car, bus, train or plane, we’ll tell you what to do.
Arctic Cruise AS
Another option how to get here is Arctic Cruise As company. They offer round trip on private Targa and can include transfer from the airport. Price is is 17.000 Nok + 12% Tax Mva each traject.
Contact info at: knut@arcticcruise.no or terje@arcticcruise.no
RIB boat
A rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) is extraordinarily stable, fast and seaworthy. Our neighbour RibSteigen, who is based at Nordskot, offers RIB charters. They have the fastest RIB sea rafts in Nordland County, each equipped with an impressive 800-hp engine. The RIB accommodates 12 people, and is ideal for sea-rafting safaris, for crossing the open waters of the Vestfjord, for visiting the Lofoten Islands and perhaps having lunch in the main town of Svolvær.
For details you can email RibSteigen at post@nordskotbrygge.no
Ferry from Bødo
Tickets for the ferry can be bought three months in advance via THIS website.
Our Restaurant
Breakfast is included for all guests who stay at Manshausen. Our hearty Norwegian buffet breakfast has something for everyone. For a modest surcharge, you can make your own sandwiches and choose other items for a packed lunch to take on your day’s adventure.
Lunches are usually pasta dishes with fish from the area that are available, stews or locally caught fish with seasonal vegetables.
Dinners are mostly local fish, moose, reindeer or lamb from Lofoten. The dishes are accompanied by seasonal vegetables that we get from our garden or nearby local farmers in the summer. What is left from summer/autumn we try to preserve through, salting, curing, smoking and fermenting for the winter season to complete the flavours of the cold months. We are ready to prepare something special in case of allergies, intolerances, special regimes, etc.
In our restaurant you can book:
Light dinner (610kr) - main course & dessert
3-course dinner (895kr) - starter, main course & dessert
Tasting menu (1490kr) - 2 snacks, 2 starters, 2 main courses & dessert
Dinner reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance!
WINTER
We are closed November through January, which are the three stormiest winter months, but when winter has calmed we reopen.
SPRING
Spring is another favourite season. The amount of light increases dramatically in April. The ocean teems, cod migrate south from the Barents sea, and halibut seek shallower waters and often hunt in the straits around Manshausen.
SUMMER
Manshausen is situated above the Arctic circle and we are blessed with great variations of weather, light and seasons. During the summer months of June, July and partly August, everything thrives under the life-giving light of the midnight sun.
The sun never sets between the end of May till mid-July, but the bright nights start in the beginning of May and last to mid-August.
AUTUMN
Autumn brings colourful frosty days and dark nights. The amazing Northern Lights can be seen as soon as the end of August, if conditions are right. However, the best time to see the dance of the Northern Lights is usually from September to March.
PRICES SEACABINS
Seacabins
2 persons: 2.800 Nok/person/night
Single occupancy : 4.900 Nok/night
Extra person second bedroom 900 Nok
Children under 16 years old: 450 Nok
Included: breakfast, linen, towels and final cleaning.
2 night minimum booking required on weekends
Rate for bookings with check in after 1st June 24 - 2.950 Nok/person/night, 5.000 Nok if single use
Tower cabins
2 persons: 4.450 Nok/person/night
Single occupancy: 6.900 Nok/night
Extra person on lower floor: 2.090 Nok.
Children under 16 years old: 1.640 Nok
Included: breakfast, lunch and 3 course dinner (no drinks), linen, towels and final cleaning
Cancellation & Payment
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For a full refund, cancellations must be made no later than 4 weeks (28 days) prior your arrival date.
Cancellations made 2–4 weeks before your arrival date will be charged a 25 % cancellation fee.
Cancellations made 7–14 days before your arrival date will be charged a 50 % cancellation fee.
Cancellations made less than 7 days before your arrival date will result in forfeiture of the entire payment.
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You may free of charge change your reservation dates, as long as this is done at least 4 weeks (28 days) before your originally-scheduled arrival date.
For changes made between 2–4 weeks before arrival, a 15 % fee will be charged.
For changes made between 7–14 days before arrival, a 25 % fee will be charged.
Changes made less than 7 days before your originally-scheduled arrival date will require a full new payment.
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Check-in: from 15:00
By all means come earlier if you wish to get more out of your first day!
Check-out: by 11:00.
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DescriptioPayment terms:
When booking: 50 %
The remaining 50 % is due 15 days before arrival
Payment options: Credit card, debit card or PayPal. You can request an invoice.
Activities
Manshausen is where mountains meet the sea. It’s the perfect setting for your holiday adventures. Explore the nearby waters and islands and the wildlife, or just savour the magnificent view and quiet time in your Sea Cabin. Go kayaking, fishing or scuba-diving, go hiking or rock-climbing, and explore the colourful cultural heritage of our region. At day’s end you will surely wish you could make time stand still!
What to wear
Although temperatures at Manshausen are tempered by the sea, so that it never gets really cold, the weather can change from one moment to the next, and we sometimes experience strong winds. We recommend you check the weather forecast before you come, and pack clothing that allows you to deal with varied weather.
We strongly recommend packing woollen garments and windproof/water-resistant clothing, and do bring several sets. Good footwear is an absolute must – comfortable feet make for happy hikers.
Row Boat
We have two rowboats, which you are welcome to borrow free of charge. They are well-suited for the sheltered waters around Manshausen.
Boat rental rates
We only rent out boats with skipper. If you want to rent your own boat you can check our neighbor just across the bay at Nordskot Brygge.
Kayak rental rates
Kayak rental including paddle and life jacket:
Single kayak: Nok 500 per day.
Double kayak: Nok 750 per day.
Drysuit: Mandatory from 1st September to 31st May. Nok 250 per day.
Kayaks can be rented as needed or booked in advance.
We also rent out kayaks to guests who are not staying overnight:
Single kayak: Nok 750, Double kayak: Nok 850
Drysuit: Mandatory from 1st September to 31st May. Nok 300 per day
Conferences
Good ideas often come when we are away from our familiar surroundings, and our heads are no longer filled with distracting thoughts. The fresh ocean air and amazing scenery of Manshausen are perfect for finding new inspiration, developing good strategies and great ideas with your colleagues, as well as enjoying relaxed quality time together.
Please contact us to hear more about what Manshausen can offer your company.
Fishing equipment
Since time immemorial, the sea has been the pantry and provided a livelihood for the people of our region. Fishing is still excellent, whether you cast your line from shore or from a boat. In deeper waters you may try to hook a halibut or large cod.
The fishing tackle we offer is well-suited for the local catch. Sea-fishing rod with jig and three lures: nok 250 per day.
We have life-jackets available. Please use these when fishing from a boat.
Family & kids
Manshausen is well suited for a family holiday, and there are lots of exciting things to do here for young and old. Explore the tidepools, fish, swim, go kayaking, or enjoy adventurous hike. Children can safely frolic in the saltwater pond next to our sauna and hot tub.
On the west side of Manshausen we have a private beach with lovely white sand. There are also many beautiful sandy beaches on other islands in the immediate vicinity. To give you an overview of the area, there is a large map in the Main House.
NOTE: Since Manshausen is surrounded by water on all sides, with strong tidal currents, please have your children wear life-jackets, which we can provide. Children playing near the water must always be supervised by adults.
Weather
You might say that here at Manshausen, our greatest “entertainer” is the weather. Here in the north of Norway, we always have to take into account Nature’s seasons and ever-changing weather. Sunny days, rainy days and windy days all have their own charm.
Gift Card
If you want to give someone a truly unique experience, a stay at Manshausen is the ardperfect gift. We sell gift cards that are personally signed by Børge Ousland and sent by post. Each gift c is valid for two years.
For details on the Manshausen Gift Card, please contact us.
WI-FI
Wi-fi is available in the Main House. Our entire island, including the Sea Cabins, has excellent 4G mobile phone service.
Dogs
Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs on Manshausen.
Nina’s grocery shop in Nordskot
At Nordskot there is a small supermarket, Nina’s grocery. Nina is friendly and incredibly helpful and has most of the food you need.
Our guest harbour
The waters around our floating dock are 2.5 metres deep. The harbour is equipped with convenient electrical and water hook-ups. Manshausen’s harbour is intended primarily for our guests. Please contact us in advance if you wish to visit and stay overnight in your own boat.
Guest-harbour prices:
Boats up to 40 feet: nok 300 per day.
Boats 41–50 feet: nok 450 per day.
Boats over 51 feet: nok 600 per day.
Prices include electricity and water.
If our pier is full, we recommend the guest harbour at Nordskot.
Our good neighbours
Along the Grøtøyleia strait, there are now four companies that cater to travellers, and we cooperate with each other. If Manshausen is full, or you wish to check out the activities offered by others, please feel free to contact our neighbours: Villa Haugen, Nordskot Brygge, and Naustholmen.
Design awards
We are very proud of our Sea Cabins, for which Manshausen has received 41 international architecture and design awards. The jurors have emphasised their innovative and striking design, and how well-suited and well-placed the Sea Cabins are to the surrounding terrain. This has generated additional interest for Manshausen, and guests have travelled from throughout the world to experience our island, the surrounding sea, and our unique Sea Cabins.
Journalists have come from far and wide to visit Manshausen, writing many great articles and exciting reviews in respected magazines and newspapers throughout the world.
OUSLAND EXPORERS
In addition to the Manshausen experiences, Børge helps everyone with a little adventurer in their stomach to reach their own goals. Together with a group of other polar explorers and experienced adventurers, trips are arranged to Greenland, the North Pole, the South Pole, Patagonia, the Northwest Passage, Svalbard and other places. In addition to tutorial courses, you will find Norwegian classics such as trips across the Finnmarksvidda, Hardangervidda and Svartisen. Click and take a look Here!
BØRGE’S BOOKS & MOVIES
All of Børge's great trips have become books and films. Maybe you folowed the dramatic series Exit Nordpolen that aired on NRK 1 just before Christmas? Many of the books and films today are not only entertainment, but also textbooks for others who aim for a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. If you follow the link below, you will be directed to our online store that sells 8 different books and 3 films from epic challenges: Ousland online store can be found here!
LISTEN TO BØRGE
Børge is often at Manshausen, and there is a good opportunity for a chat here. But there is no doubt that it is his lectures that will really entertain and take you out on the great plains. Contact us for bookings!
But Børge is also a favorite guest on radio and podcasts. Search for the podcasts: • Mental Trainer Podcast with Frank Nilsen • The podcast Nightlife with Randulf Valle • Crisis meetings hit a completely different angle • Tur & Tøys Podcast has exclusive chats recorded in the Arctic Ocean right after the last tour was finished. Watch episodes 19, 21 and 22.