#610 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Åkrasanden
Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway•North Sea• Best Season: June, July, August
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.20/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
16.3°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€66/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Fine White Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Moderate Surf
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces N (0°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces N (0°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
N (0°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the N-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Åkrasanden: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
16.3°C
Air ~25°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 16.3°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2°C | 11°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 5.2°C | 12°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 5.0°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 6.2°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 8.7°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 11.9°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 14.8°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 16.3°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 14.9°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 12.3°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 9.7°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 7.6°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Norway Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 16.3°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (16.3°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Åkrasanden for the optimal June–July–August swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Åkrasanden (Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway)
🌊 Water temperature: 16.3°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces N (sheltered from S winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/akrasanden-no/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.8 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.9 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing3.7 / 5
About Åkrasanden
White sand, clear water and dunes that feel improbably tropical at 59° north, on Karmøy.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (16.3°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Fv547 on Karmøy island with car parks at Åkra and connected coastal heritage trails
•Protected Status / Environment: Eco-certified Blue Flag beach and cultural heritage coastal path zone
•Notable Feature: Continuous chain of 7 pristine white-sand beaches stretching over 1km with turquoise waters and a historic coastal trail leading to Ferkingstad
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Sun • Early Evening Shade
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Karmøy, Rogaland. Accessible via regional coastal roads (59.248°N, 5.200°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Åkrasanden involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Bright but bracing, on an exposed western shore.
•Karmøy's flagship white-sand beach on Norway's south-west coast, with dunes and offshore skerries.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Åkrasanden?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Åkrasanden
What is the water temperature at Åkrasanden?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Åkrasanden averages 16.3°C (61°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Åkrasanden?
Åkrasanden is classified as a fine white sand shoreline located in Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway.
Is Åkrasanden good for families with kids?
Åkrasanden has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Åkrasanden?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
More Beaches in NorwayRegional Guide
4.3
Tjøme, Færder, Norway•North Sea
2nd Highest scenery score in North Sea
18.2°C sea
59/day
Rocky Cove
25°C• Scenic
Stays from €59/n
4.2
Vestland (Stad Peninsula), Norway•North Sea
3rd Highest scenery score in North Sea
18.6°C sea
45/day
White Sand
19°C• Scenic
Stays from €45/n
4.2
Oslo, Norway•North Sea
3rd Warmest water in Norway (Aug)
18.4°C sea
81/day
Golden Sand
26°C• Kids
Stays from €81/n
4.2
Nordland (Lofoten Islands / Moskenes), Norway•Norwegian Sea
Warmest water in Norwegian Sea (Aug)
13.8°C sea
55/day
White Sand
16°C• Scenic
Stays from €55/nWarmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n