In former times it was a fishing village, but nowadays Hamningberg has no permanent residents. The village itself is very nice, but the scenic moonscape road to Hamningberg itself is a main attraction in Varanger for many visitors. On a good day in May you can expect to see White-billed Divers, Pomarine Skuas, Long-tailed Skuas, Northern Fulmars and Northern Gannets. During summer, the area holds breeding Red-throated Pipit, Snow Buntings, etc. The overgrown bushes in the abandoned gardens attract breeding Fieldfare and Redwing. Hamningberg can feel like the end of the world, and its position means many disoriented birds can end up here. Hamningberg has a great rarity record list. While driving from Vardø to Hamningberg, you are pass two villages: Persfjord and Sandfjord.

Persfjord is another good location for gulls gathering at the river outlet, the road along the coast is a good place to stop and check the small bays and inlets. Flocks of King Eider are likely from winter to spring, alongside Long-tailed Ducks. In summer, large flocks of moulting Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser and Common Eider congregate in the fjord. The high ridges here may hold perched White-tailed Eagles, Merlin and Gyrfalcon. Red-throated Pipit, Northern Wheater, Twite and Snow Bunting can all be seen along the road in summer. The few summering King Eiders in Varanger seem to prefer staying in Persfjord.

Sandfjord is another main access point into the Varangerhalvøya National Park. In summer, this vegetation contains breeding Redwing, Fieldfare, Brambling, Common Redpoll, Bluethroat and is a reliable place to look for Arctic Redpoll. A mix of waders occur here, breeding in the vegetation or drawn by the estuary habitat. Temminck´s Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope can all occur.

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