Flø: Wild Waves and Spectacular Landscape
Flø is a small village near Ulsteinvik, where green meadows spread like a carpet until they meet chalky white beaches and turquoise water. On a day with good weather, you may almost be tempted to take a dip. But be prepared that while it looks like the south, the temperatures are not the same. Especially on stormy days, the ruggedness of nature is evident here.
Besides the great natural beauty, Flø and its surroundings offer a wide range of possibilities for activities. The village of Flø has a fairly exposed reef break that does not work very often, but when it does, the surfing here can be insane. The offshore winds blow from the east-southeast and the ideal swell angle is from the northwest.
When I first arrived in Flø, I expected to find a tourist area full of vans and surfers, but instead found a white and empty beach. I was sad that my search for hidden surfing gems ended in a dead end. The weather was pleasant that day, so we decided to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the calm sea. It was so nice that we even went to the nearest grocery store, bought a one-time grill, grilled some vegan sausages, and made some hotdogs. It was a beautiful day, but I have crossed this place off my list of surf spots.
After about two weeks, I met a group of local surfers at my university. We chatted a bit about surfing in the area, and they told me that their favourite surf spot around here was Flø. I was surprised by this news. So once again I packed my things and headed for Flø. As I approached the village, the wind started to pick up. When we stopped at the beach, I was amazed at how high and strong the waves were. The wind was so strong that I could hardly keep my hair in a ponytail. I looked like a sweeping broom, but damn, those waves were incredibly beautiful. Flø can be a fickle place to surf. It might be a good idea to consult the surf forecast before you come here. But whether you like surfing, climbing or paddling, hiking, cycling along country roads or just enjoying the beautiful nature while grilling sausages on the beach, the little Westland pearl Flø has something for everyone.
If surfing in Flø seems tempting, you will find a surf shop with rental facilities in the town of Ulsteinvik. You will pass through this town on your way to Flø anyway. I have provided a link to the rental shop in the "Quick Info" section.
Finding a parking space in Flø can be difficult, but you can park your car near the school, which is not too far from the beach, or at the end of Fløvegen, but it might take a while to get all the way to the surf spot. If you want to have a snack after your surf session, there is a small snack bar at the campsite called Flø Feriesenter A/S. Here you will also find sanitary facilities for a small fee. If you want to do more shopping, the nearest grocery store is in the town of Ulsteinvik, a 10-15 minute drive away.
I hope you will give this little village a chance when you visit Norway. You will be surprised how captivating this place can be.
