Early arrivals 2025: Welcome to the Stavanger region!
During the Tall Ships Races voyage from Antwerp to Stavanger, there are several opportunities for tall ships to take part in early arrivals events hosted by smaller ports along the southwestern coast of Norway.
These events bring The Tall Ships Races to a wider region and offer participating ships revenue from regional trainees and hospitality events. There will be no harbour fees, and participating ports offer a range of activities for visiting crew.
These events are planned in agreement with Sail Training International for after the racing part of Race 2: Antwerp – Stavanger and before ships are due to arrive in Stavanger 22 July.
All early arrivals ports will be sending trainees with the tall ships fleet in 2026.
Contact person for Stavanger’s early arrival program
Chief Liaison Officer Birger Haraldseid, +47 908 93 186, birger.haraldseid@stavanger.kommune.no
The following ports on the southwestern coast of Norway will be welcoming ships as part of The Tall Ships Races 2026 Stavanger:
Sirevåg
Sirevåg harbour has become part of the North Sea tall ships family since its first cruise-in-company event in 2015. In 2026, this local community is getting itself ready to host ships from the tall ships fleet for the sixth time, organised by the municipality of Hå together with local organisations and businesses.
Date: 20 July 2026
Facilities: Supply of water and electricity free of charge, toilets and showers, free WiFi, a small grocery shop and bakery close to the harbour, cafés, bar, hotel. Sirevåg train station close to the harbour and Stavanger airport 60 km from the harbour.
Quay capacity: Length: 320 m, depth: 4-9 m. Pilot and tug may be booked if needed.
Map, Sirevåg harbour
Map, info for crew and trainees
Program (norsk)
Program (english)
Contacts:
- Lead Coordinator Anne Marie Gjølme: AnneMarie.Gjolme(at)ha.kommune.no, +47 900 75 746
- Harbour master Sven Harbo: sven.harbo@ha.kommune.no, 47 932 59 316
Helgøysund
Date: 21 July
Helgøysund marina is in a picturesque marina in the heart of the Ryfylke fjord basin north of Stavanger.
The marina is a vibrant meeting point for pleasure boats where coastal traditions well maintained. It is considered one of the most popular marinas in Norway.
With over 100 years of history, Helgøysund Marina a range of facilities for ships and crew as a final stopover before the final leg to Stavanger, which is an easy morning’s sailing away.
Facilities: Diesel & gasoline fuel dock. Electricity and fresh water. Free Wi-Fi, showers and toilets. Grocery store, restaurant & pub. Sauna, swimming area and water trampoline. Kayak rental. Bicycle rental. Hiking opportunities. Family-friendly facilities and playground.
Quay capacity:
50 metres
30 metres
Contact:
Daniel Nedrebø Gjertsen
Tel.: +47 46 44 09 71
Email: Daniel.helgoysund@gmail.com
helgoysund.no/
Tananger
Tananger is a historic harbour in Sola municipality on the North Sea coast, just a short day’s sailing from Stavanger. Ships berth directly in the town harbour in the centre of Tananger, where crews step ashore into the local community and harbour activities.
Tananger has previously welcomed the tall ships fleet as an early arrival port in 2018, and the municipality of Sola is proud to host the event again in 2026.
Date: 21 July 2026
Facilities: Supply of water and electricity free of charge, toilets and showers, shops, cafés, bar and hotel close to the harbour. Stavanger International Airport is 9 km from the harbour.
Quay capacity: A total of five quays are allocated for The Tall Ships Races, with quay lengths ranging from approximately 20 to 100 metres.
Contact:
- TSR Project manager Stine Asheim Ringås: stine.ringas@sola.kommune.no
Kvitsøy
The island community of Kvitsøy is Norway’s smallest municipality with only 540 inhabitants. Its picturesque inner harbour near the lighthouse is an ideal overnight stop for smaller ships like classes C and D. Nicknamed the ‘lobster island’, Kvitsøy has its own lobster museum.
Date: 21 July 2026
Facilities: Local shop.
Kvitsøy is 35 minutes from the mainland by ferry, with connection bus services for Stavanger and Stavanger airport.
Contact:
Mayor Kjell André Nordbø: kan@kvitsoy.kommune.no
Sandnes
The town of Sandnes lies at the southern end of the Gandsfjord east of Stavanger. The town offers all facilities including a deep-water inner harbour – Vågen - in the town centre.
The town center offers all services and amenities with the train station within walking distance from the harbour and easy connections to Stavanger airport.
Date: 21 July 2026
Contact:
- Port manager Thor Thingbø: thor.thingbo@sandneshavn.no
- Port fact sheet
Reilstad
Date: 21 July
Reilstad on Finnøy is a lovely smaller port in a sheltered harbour, approx. 14 nautical miles north of Stavanger. This is a unique opportunity to experience a small Norwegian seaside community before siling on to Stavanger.
Finnøy is a rural island set in the Ryfylke fjord basin. The island is the heart of the regional tomato production with large greenhouses, lots of sheep and cattle, and a newly-restored 12th century stone church – and a long-standing maritime history.
The port is ready to accommodate vessels seeking to experience a smaller Norwegian port in a welcoming rural community.
Reilstad offers hospitality and services as well as unique surroundings, including:
- Local boat guiding you into the harbour (upon request)
- Showers and toilet facilities for visiting crews
- Fresh water and shore power provided
- Laundry facilities/washing machine
- Grocery shops on the island
- Food: Barbeque salmon with rice and salad (depending on number of ships/crew)
- Guided tours of the island (pre-booking advised)
- Deck passengers for the day sail to Stavanger 22 July, providing income opportunities for visiting ships
Arrival dates 20 and 21 July.
Quay capacity:
Two 30-metre-long quays with a dept of 4-7 metres.
Tidal difference: Max. 50 cm
Google maps
Contact:
Olav Reilstad
Tel.: +47 92 08 60 77
Email: olavr@reilstad.no
