Yxnøy, also spelled Yxney, is now a recreational area home to several beaches, forests, sloping rocks, hiking trails, and Tønsberg Barrel.

[5] The southern end of the peninsula contains public areas for outdoor activities, recreation, fishing and swimming.

A preserved area with black alder swamp forest (containing ramsons, iris pseudacorus and early purple orchid) is located here.

[11] The 5 metres (16 ft) tall Tønsberg Barrel is an old beacon mentioned in Sverris saga from around year 1200.

[4]: 98–100 Yxnøy and the area surrounding Tønsberg Barrel were fortified by the German occupation forces during World War II.

[3]: 294 Yxnøy is the only place in Norway where the plant species Marsh valerian [no] (Valeriana dioica) occurs.

It is home to a black alder swamp forest containing ramsons, iris pseudacorus and early purple orchid.