Island Hopping – Journey Across the Archipelago

Hop on the ferry in Svendborg or Faaborg and experience the calm and serenity of the small archipelago islands. Each island has its own unique history and scenery, though they also have some things in common: splendid coastal nature and that special island vibe.

Take the ferry from Svendborg to Skarø, Drejø, and Hjortø, which is home to only a handful of permanent residents. Bjørnø, Lyø, and Avernakø are reached by ferry from Faaborg. The ferry to Strynø leaves from Rudkøbing, and you can go to Birkholm by ferry from Marstal on Ærø.

The Archipelago

‘Det Sydfynske Øhav’ is the Danish name for the shallow waters south of Fyn and the archipelago comprising more than 55 island and islets – it’s the world’s largest drowned ice-age landscape. The area was flooded during the Stone Age, which created the islands’ unique hilly terrain.

Skar

This small island is known for its beautiful scenery and interesting bird and animal life, though the passionate islanders have done their part as well to put Skarø firmly on the map: Skarø has a music festival held each year in August, an ice-cream manufacturer selling ice cream all over the world, a summer café with its own smokehouse, an apothecary garden, and lots more in addition to all the scenic sights. The island, half an hour’s ferry trip from Svendborg, has several accommodation options.

Read more about Skarø at visitsvendborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Skarø at hoejestene.dk

Drej

Bring your bikes when you go to Drejø. From the eastern ferry berth, there are only 4 km to the island’s westernmost point, a cliff offering a spectacular view of the archipelago. The trip takes you past Drejet, a narrow isthmus with water on both sides. On the north coast, the old harbour of Gammel Havn is a charming sight, and Bækkildestrand on the south coast is the best place to go for a swim. Drejø has a grocery store, a local museum, a café, and farm shops selling local products. The island is one hour and 15 minutes from Svendborg by ferry and offers several options for accommodation.

Read more about Drejø at visitsvendborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Drejø at hoejestene.dk

Avernak

Avernakø is a special island, as it originally consisted of two islands – Avernak and Korshavn – which, in 1937, were connected by a dam called ‘Drejet’. The island has a rich birdlife, lovely beaches and lots of open space. Avernakø is known for its two maypoles, located in the villages of Avernak and Munke. Once a year, on the Saturday before Pentecost, villagers convene around the pole. Only 100 or so islanders live on Avernakø, and they all jointly own the island’s grocery store. There are plenty of nice accommodation options and eateries on Avernakø, which is reached by ferry from Faaborg in either 35 or 60 minutes, depending on your choice of ferry service.

Read more about Avernakø at visitfaaborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Avernakø at oefaergen.fmk.dk

Ly

Located south-west of Faaborg, Lyø is the westernmost island of the archipelago. Lyø’s greatest attractions are its peace and quiet, its clean air and beautiful scenery as well as the old village with its many half-timbered houses. The island’s farms are located around the village ponds in the historic town, which is considered one of Denmark’s most interesting village communities. The dolmen chamber known as Klokkestenen – the Bell Stone – is several thousand years old, and clear notes ring out when you strike it. From Faaborg, it takes about 35 minutes to reach Lyø, where you can find a grocery store, cafés, and several accommodation options.

Read more about Lyø at visitfaaborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Lyø at oefaergen.fmk.dk

Hjort

With only four permanent residents, Hjortø is among the least-populated islands in Denmark. Hjortø’s diverse nature is often visited by flocks of migrating birds, amongst them the majestic sea eagle and the small wren. The islanders have spotted more than 100 different bird species on Hjortø. If you love the outdoors, Hjortø is the perfect choice. You can spend the night in a shelter or put up your own tent. Hjortø is an hour away from Svendborg by ferry. Read more about Hjortø at visitsvendborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Hjortø at havn.svendborg.dk

Svelm

This uninhabited hidden treasure is owned by two families, who rent out Svelmø’s houses as holiday homes. You can’t reach Svelmø by ferry, only via the low-tide road from the road ‘Østergyden’ between Nab and Nakkebølle on Fyn. To reach Svelmø, you then have to wade about 500 metres with water up to your knees. The trip can be made in a more comfortable manner, though, in the back of a tractor. Throughout summer, you can go on a guided tractor tour with local Svelmø expert, Jan. Once you have reached Svelmø, the guided tour continues on foot. The trip is three to four hours long and ends with a dinner on the beach: grilled fish or beef from Svelmø with locally sourced potatoes on the side.

Read more about Svelmø at visitfaaborg.com

Book your trip to Svelmø at visitfaaborg.dk

Bj Rn

Bjørnø is first mentioned in the 13th century, then spelled Byørnø, meaning the island inhabited by bears. Don’t worry, though, there haven’t been any bear sightings lately. Cars are not allowed on Bjørnø, and bikes are not recommended either, but you can walk around the island in a couple of hours. The island has plenty to offer – flat beach meadows, a rich birdlife, and tall cliffs with spectacular views of Fyn and the neighbouring islands. During summer, islanders and visitors enjoy their evening coffee together on the waterfront, watching the sun set over Faaborg and Svanninge Bakker on Fyn. Bjørnø has a charming café, an ice-cream kiosk as well as several accommodation options. The ferry ride aboard ‘M/F Lillebjørn’ is only 17 minutes from Faaborg. Read more about Bjørnø at visitfaaborg.com

Get your ferry tickets to Bjørnø aboard the Bjørnø ferry

Birkholm

Birkholm is one of the islands in Denmark with the fewest permanent residents. In fact, Birkholm has fewer residents than houses, a lot of which are second homes for people from all over Denmark, who nevertheless spend a lot of time and energy maintaining them. A small but loyal bunch of born-and-raised islanders keep up the old traditions and make sure that everything remains in order throughout the year. Although you won’t find any eateries on the island, Birkholm has a self-service shop, a charming marina, a landscape suitable for hiking as well as a some nice fishing spots. Read more about Birkholm at visitaeroe.com.

Get your ferry tickets to Birkholm at birkholmposten.dk

Stryn

The largest of the small islands in the South Fyn Archipelago, Strynø is about 30 minutes away from Rudkøbing by ferry. The island has around 190 permanent residents, some of which are farmers or private business owners, while others are commuting to work on the larger islands. Strynø is a well-functioning community on a small scale, with day care centres, a school, a grocery store, a church and several different clubs and societies. Naturally, the close-knit local community is a big part of life on the small island. A visit to Strynø is a good opportunity to gear down while remaining active. Bring your own bike or rent one on the harbour front for only 20 DKK, and go for a tour of the island. Other options include trying out stand-up paddling or learning to sail in a smack dinghy at Øhavets Smakke- og Naturcenter. Read more about Strynø at langeland.dk. Get your ferry tickets to Strynø at strynoe-ferry.teambooking.dk

Sunset Trips Around The Archipelago

Go on a tour of the archipelago aboard a historic ship. Several times a week, you can board an old schooner or galeas and discover the archipelago in a truly unique way. A sailing trip like this cannot be described – you have to experience it for yourself!

The galeas Haabet from Faaborg visitfaaborg.com

The schooner Meta from Rudkøbing and Svendborg govisitlangeland.com and visitsvendborg.com