The inner Varangerfjord is a birder’s paradise. In particular the tidal flats are home to a very rich birdlife. The communities of Nesseby includes Varangerbotn at the base of the fjord and Nesseby itself. Nesseby is also a great seawatching site*.

Varangerbotn has two small bird hides located at the coast near the Varanger Samiske Museum (sami museum), where passerines like Bluethroat , Pied Flycatcher and Reed Bunting can be found. When driving from Varangerbotn towards Vadsø and Vardø, there are several nice places to stop along the road. Places like Nyborg and Meskelv are worth a stop.

Nesseby, 13 km east of Varangerbotn is a small village with a peninsula sticking out into the fjord. The church located at the southern tip is an iconic feature of the inner Varangerfjord. Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Common Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff are all easily seen here (depending on when you visit, of course). Wildfowl using this area to feed can include Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Northern Pintail, Common Shelduck, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Bean Goose and White-fronted Goose. For seawatchers, the southern tip of the small peninsula is a fantastic place to observe seabirds that are caught up in easterly winds.

The steep cliffs along the coast in Mortensnes can be good for perched Rough-legged Buzzards in summer. Birding here can mainly be done from the road and few birders go down to the shore.