It lies in the Vigrafjorden, between the island of Vigra to the west and the Norwegian mainland to the east.

The children on the island are served by the school in Søvik, just 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the southeast.

[2][3] The highest point on Bjørnøya is the 124-metre (407 ft) tall Bjørnøyfjellet.

[4] Another moderately-high peak on the central-north part of the island rises to elevation of 80 metres (260 ft).

There are also beaches, forests, and wetlands (Tangane) in the northeast part of the island.