Grip Island

Overview

Grip is a cluster of approximately 80 small islands and skerries 14 km northwest of Kristiansund in the open Norwegian Sea. The main island is tiny — barely 300 meters across — but for centuries it supported a fishing community of up to 400 people living from the cod, herring, and pollock that schooled in the surrounding waters.

The stave church on Grip dates to approximately 1470 and is one of the smallest stave churches in Norway. It was built from driftwood and ship timbers — there are no trees on Grip. The church has survived storms, fires, and centuries of salt air. The painted altarpiece from the 1600s is still in place.

Life on Grip was hard. The islands have no natural harbour — boats were hauled up on rocks. Fresh water was collected from rain. The community was self-sufficient by necessity: they fished, dried cod on the rocks, and traded with Kristiansund for supplies. The last permanent residents left in the 1970s.

Today, Grip is a protected cultural heritage site. The houses are maintained as summer cabins, and a handful of families still spend their holidays here. The summer boat service from Kristiansund runs from June to August. The island is car-free (there is nowhere to drive). Allow 2–3 hours to explore.