Rules of conduct
Conservation area
From the mid-1980s, a number of areas in Norway were protected because of their special nature. On Langøya the Ministry of the Environment wanted to establish a nature reserve. In 1988, an area of 215 acres was protected, covering the entire east coast as well as the north and south ends of Langøya. The purpose of the conservation is to protect an important locality for understanding the Oslo field's fossil-bearing rocks with associated lime-demanding vegetation. It is the State Administrator in Vestfold and Telemark that monitors the conservation regulations.
Free area
In addition, NOAH has separated two smaller parts of the industrial area into open areas. These are called free area south and free area north. Holmestrand municipality also disposes of funds which are transferred from NOAH each year to be used for outdoor purposes. The Archipelago Service is responsible for supervision and collection of rubbish.
Free area south is on the west side of the island, almost all the way down to the southern tip. The area is equipped with a jetty for a small number of small boats, and it is permitted to stay overnight for 2 days. There are good opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. NOAH usually offers boat transport out to Langøya for residents during the summer.
Current traffic rules
§ 1. Everyone who uses the open areas, and areas regulated for outdoor purposes and the nature reserve on Langøya must act carefully and take account of vegetation, wildlife and bedrock. Langøya has many rare insect species. Undisturbed plant life is an important basis for great species diversity. Within Langøya nature reserve, the conservation regulations apply in addition to the traffic rules. In the reserve, plant life, including all parts of dead bushes and trees, is protected.
§ 2. The areas must be kept tidy and free of rubbish. Waste is taken home or placed in installed rubbish bins.
§ 3. Within the open areas and areas regulated for outdoor purposes, camping or other stays are permitted for 2 days at a time. Tenting is not permitted inside Langøya nature reserve. Boats that have been moored for more than 2 days must give way to others.
§ 4. The use of open flames and bonfires is not permitted except on designated fire pits.
§ 5. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Any excrement must be removed. Bathing dogs
must take place outside the bathing buoys.
§ 6. The area within the bathing buoys is reserved for bathers. Boats and windsurfing boards can be used
outside the installed bathing buoys.
§ 7. Big parts of Langøya is an industrial area. It is not permitted to travel in the industrial area
without permission from the company.
These traffic rules apply from 1 April 2022. At the same time, regulations from 20 December 1995 were repealed.
Access to the industrial area is regulated by fences and signage.