Hidra

Hidra has around 600 residents and sits like a small coastal gem in Flekkefjord municipality. Most people live in the two idyllic harbours of Rasvåg and Kirkehamn, with white-painted wooden houses, boats and the sea close by. In the middle of the island are the kindergarten and the primary school, where small classes and mixed-age activities mean that everyone is seen and gets to join in.

That is how Rose Mari describes life on Hidra, where she has lived with her husband and children since 2010. With first-hand experience of the island's strong coastal culture, she has seen how the traditions become a natural part of growing up.

And yes – they really do have a lobster feast in the kindergarten, Rose Mari laughs.

The youngest children get their own lobster pots, which they set from the jetty and haul up again later. The slightly older children row out in small boats to catch lobster, while the oldest – around five years old – get to join in the motorboats. The catch ends up on the table at a proper seafood meal in the kindergarten, together with prawns donated by the local fish landing station.

The Eie canal divides Hidra in two and works as a shortcut for small boats. Along the coast there are countless experiences, big and small. For those who like to get up high, Langelandsfjellet is the island's highest point, 291 metres above sea level. From the top you get a view over the sea and a wonderful spot for watching both sunrises and sunsets.

Hågåsen towers over Kirkehamn and offers a walk through oak forest and lush nature. But for many it is still the sea that draws them most.

“There's no doubt that boat life is a big part of everyday life here,” says Rose Mari, who runs a small farm with free-roaming sheep and a flock of hens. Even her sheep are used to boat life. In spring they are taken by boat out to nearby islands, where they roam freely through the summer before being brought home again in the autumn.

But Hidra has more to offer than sea and boats.

“There's plenty of other things going on here too,” Rose Mari says.

Many children play football, and the island has a youth club. There is a walking group, a fitness centre and group training, and people meet for craft evenings and activities at the Coastal Culture Centre.

A good example is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. Almost everyone turns up, and everyone contributes in their own way. It is one of the things Rose Mari considers among the greatest strengths of the small island community.

Although Hidra has much of what you need in everyday life, the mainland and Flekkefjord are only a short trip away. The car ferry takes around seven minutes, followed by roughly 15 minutes by car to town. That means children and young people can easily take part in activities in Flekkefjord, whether it is the cinema, cultural events or leisure activities. Many of the islanders also commute to Flekkefjord for work.

For some, the sea is the workplace. Hidra has several fish farms producing salmon for export, in addition to fisheries and the seafood industry. Hidra Fiskemottak, the fish landing station, takes in prawns, crab and other seasonal seafood. The local landing station also supplies seafood to shops and restaurants in the area. On land, tourism and services are important parts of the local economy.

And what about those who want to check out what the island has to offer? Well, even though Hidra is a small island community, there is a good range of everyday amenities. The island has two grocery stores, and in one of them you will also find Bakrommet, a café where you can drop in for good food and something cold in the glass. The restaurant Isbua also has plenty of good things on the menu.

If you want to stay overnight, there are several pleasant options. Kongshamn Gjestgiveri is a beautifully restored guesthouse, where local enthusiasts and skilled craftspeople have joined forces to preserve the building's historic character. The six rooms have original timber walls, white lace curtains and soft pastel colours – like a small journey back to another time.

For those who want more peace and privacy, Opplev Hidra offers accommodation with a spectacular view. The lean-to Utsyn is set up for overnight stays, and the cabin Nyperosa is also ready for visitors. A perfect place for a romantic weekend, or simply to withdraw and enjoy the silence.

Hidra also has a rich history, closely tied to fishing, harbours and seafaring. At Fedrenes Minne in Rasvåg you can get to know the island's history from the Stone Age up to our own time.

On top of Hågåsen lie the remains of a large German fortification from the Second World War. Hidra's strategic position made the island important during the occupation.

Hidra is also part of Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. Parts of the island consist of anorthosite – the same rock found in the bright areas of the moon. In some places the landscape can therefore feel almost otherworldly. This is perhaps the closest you will get to a walk on the moon!

Hidra is small, but full of life. Here people know each other, look out for each other and welcome new residents.

You get the sea as your nearest neighbour, nature as your playground and a community where children grow up close to both people and traditions.

And perhaps you don't need much more than that. With or without a lobster pot in your luggage.