Unstad, on the exposed west coast of Vestvagoy, has become one of Norway's most celebrated surf beaches. The North Atlantic swells that roll in here can be serious — head-high and beyond on good days — and the scenery is extraordinary: black mountains plunging into the sea, with the beach cradled in a narrow valley that barely fits the small cluster of houses that constitute the village.
You don't need to surf to appreciate Unstad. The drive in through the tunnel is memorable, the hike south along the coast toward Eggum takes in some of Lofoten's most dramatic scenery, and the beach itself is beautiful in any weather. The Arctic Surfers surf school offers lessons and equipment hire, and there's a small café at the surf camp. Even in January, when the sea temperature hovers around 4°C and the sun barely clears the horizon, surfers in thick wetsuits are out on the water.