Ona also has a long tradition as a pilot station. A pilot is a navigator who guides other ships through dangerous or difficult waters. At its peak, over 300 residents lived on Ona and Husøy. The island had a fish reception facility, Norway’s southernmost cod drying operation, and several shops. During the fishing seasons, the population increased significantly with fishermen from nearby fjord communities, who fished from cabins known as rorbuer.

The picturesque island of Ona, which attracts tourists from near and far, is also home to the Ona Lighthouse. This red-painted cast iron tower, one of Norway’s oldest lighthouses (protected in 2000), was highly desired as early as the 1800s but was only erected in 1867 on the summit of Onakalven, the island’s highest point. The lighthouse station included two residential houses, one for the lighthouse keeper and his family and a smaller one for the assistant keeper and his family. The lighthouse was electrified in 1954, at which time a secondary light was also installed. The lighthouse tower, secondary light, and engine house at Ona Lighthouse Station are still owned by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, but the other buildings were sold to a private buyer in 1982.

Today, the permanent residents of Ona make a living from crafts and tourism, preserving the island’s rich history while welcoming visitors to experience its unique charm.