Østerøya is one of two peninsulas outside Sandefjord, Norway. It borders in west to the Mefjord and east to the Tønsbergfjord. Tønsberg Barrel is located on the southern end of the peninsula. Tønsberg Barrel is an old beacon mentioned in Sverris saga. It has been described as one of the most beautiful sites in Sandefjord. East Island lies between the Tønsbergfjord and Mefjord. It has a large number of beaches, campgrounds, recreational areas, and vacation homes. The peninsula has a length of 10 km, and is between 1 and 2 km in width. It was previously known as Yxnøy, a name which now is used for East Island’s southernmost point. Yxnøy, also spelled Yxney, is now a recreational area home to several beaches, forests, sloping rocks, hiking trails, and Tønsberg Barrel. The southern end of the peninsula contains public areas for outdoor activities, recreation, fishing and swimming. A preserved area with black alderswamp forest is located here. During the Viking Age, ocean water levels were three metres higher, which meant both Vesterøya- and Østerøya peninsulas were islands surrounded by ocean waters. There are 20 km of hiking trails on East Island, which is an extension of the 25 km coastal path at West Island. Combined the 45 km hiking trail is part of the internationalNorth Sea Trail. Head Above Water by film directorNils Gaup was filmed at the southern tip of Østerøya.
Yxnøy
The 5-meter tall Tønsberg Barrel is an old beacon mentioned in Sverris saga from around year 1200. Many ships have sunk near the landmark, which is located at Yxnøy on the southern tip of East Island. The seamark sits on the mountain Tønneberget with ocean-views in all directions. It has an elevation of 37 meters and marks the entry point for the city of Tønsberg. Its circumference is at its most 12 meters, and it is painted in white and black. The beacon originally consisted of a barrel, hence the name, but was replaced with the current seamark in 1900. Yxnøy and the area surrounding Tønsberg Barrel were fortified by the German occupation forces during World War II. Bunkers, trenches and other remains from the war can still be seen in the surrounding area. A number of ships have also sunk here, including ships such as Wilhelm Tell in 1851 and Bjørgvin in 1961, which lies 70 meters from Tønsberg Barrel. The coastal hiking trail from Tønsberg Barrel to Skjellvika Beach is 9 km. It is part of the international North Sea Trail. Yxnøy is the only place in Norway where the plant species occurs. Strandvika Nature Preserve is located at Yxnøy. It is home to a black alder swamp forest containing ramsons, iris pseudacorus and early purple orchid. The nature preserve was established in 1980.
