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See also: When to go kayaking | Kayaking FAQs
Sea Kayaking in Sweden, Finland, Norway & Lithuania - beautiful archipelago, fjord and lakeland landscapes waiting to be explored
Where are they?...
- 1. Self-guided Sea Kayaking in Bohuslän
- 2. Sea Kayaking Skills Camp in Bohuslän
- 3. West Coast Kayaking Adventures
- 4. Self-guided Sea Kayaking in St Anna and Gryt
- 5. Self-guided Kayaking in Lysefjord
- 6. Canoe or Kayak in Linnansaari National Park (this tour is listed under our Canoeing category)
- 7. Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Helsinki Archipelago
- 8. Guided Kayak Tours in Stockholm City
- 9. Guided Kayak Tours in the Stockholm Archipelago
- 10. Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago
- 11. Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park
Why are Sweden, Finland, Norway and Lithuania good destinations for kayaking?
Sweden is perhaps not the first country that springs to most people's minds when considering a sea kayaking holiday, but with 2000 miles of coastline
and with archipelagos along both the western and eastern coastlines, including 24,000 islands (or 50,000 depending on how you count) easily reachable
from the capital Stockholm, plus the wonderful freedoms for wild camping afforded by the Right of Pubic Access, Sweden makes a fantastic destination for kayak tours.
Finland offers similiar possibilities, with the country's archipelagos containing around 40,000 islands in total!
Norway's dramatic fjord landscapes offer a very different setting for a kayak adventure as well as the option to easily include some dramatic hikes as part of your tour.
Lithuania offers relaxed kayaking on lakes and scenic, slow-flowing rivers through beautiful landscapes steeped in both natural and cultural herigage. Our option here features accommodation in guest houses along the route rather than camping as for our other kayak tours.
Self-guided Kayaking in Lysefjord. Photo: FE.
How are the east and west coast archipelagos in Sweden different?
The east and west coast archipelago areas in which our kayak tours in Sweden take place have their own special attraction. Sweden's west coast archipelago is typically more rocky
and less forested, with lovely rock colours and formations.
The Stockholm Archipelago has heavily forested islands in the inner archipelago becoming
more open and rocky as you move outwards, while the St. Anna region to the south of Stockholm is renowned for its picturesque islands and is
one of Sweden's premier sea kayaking regions.
Self-guided Sea Kayaking in St Anna and Gryt. Photo: OK.
In all cases you are travelling in a coastal landscape, so will pass coastal villages, some summer houses, etc. The nature of the areas and of sea
kayaking means that you have a fair amount of flexibility in terms of the route taken and distance covered. For tours featuring wild camping,
you will choose your own camping spots each night, very possibly on your own private island!
Do you also offer kayak tours in inland landscapes?
Finland also offers endless possibilities for both coastal and inland paddle tours through its extensive archipelago and lake network. We currently offer sea kayaking in the Sipoo archipelago area to the of Helsinki, and for our tours in the Linnansaari National Park it is possible to choose kayaks as an alternative to canoes to explore the lovely Saimaa lake region.
Our Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park in Lithuania is also a wonderful option for inland kayaking, taking you through beautiful landscape of lakes and slow-flowing rivers in the country's oldest National Park, with accommodation in local guest houses along the way.
What experience do I need for a sea kayaking holiday?
Nature Travels offers a range of both guided and self-guided sea kayaking holidays. A guided tour is ideal for solo travellers, couples or small
groups of friends, for those with limited experience or for more competent paddlers who appreciate the extra dimension an experienced and knowledgeable
local guide can bring to the trip. Novices will find that, as a well as offering a more secure environment for your paddle adventure, a guided
tour is also a wonderful introduction to sea kayaking in itself.
Sea Kayaking Skills Camp in Bohuslän. Photo: UB.
While self-guided tours are not intended as training courses, you will be given instruction
in paddle technique and safety before setting off and have the chance to pick up plenty of tips and guidance along the way. You should find that
both your technique and confidence quickly improves.
A number of our tours also feature optional instruction before the tour begins, which is an excellent way to refresh or learn new skills before setting off.
Both single and double kayaks are available on most tours - please specify in advance which you would prefer. Double kayaks (K2s) are the most stable
option and are ideal for beginners or those with less confidence, or for those who would like a partner to share the paddling with!
Compare Self-guided Kayak Tours
Self-guided sea kayaking is suitable for those with greater confidence on the water or who enjoy the flexibility to explore at their own pace and
create their own adventure each day. For some tours, introductory courses can be added to develop your skills before you begin.
On Sweden's west coast, this is a flexible tour with start days by arrangement between May and September. You can choose durations of 3-7 days, with a choice of two main areas for your tour depending on your level of experience and the coastal region you wish to explore. Whichever option you choose, there is plenty of opportunity to extend the distance and vary your route depending on wind and weather conditions and your own experience/energy levels.
Camping and kitchen equipment is available to hire as
an optional extra and the experience can be conveniently combined with a day or two in Gothenburg. Previous
kayaking experience is not essential (except for Option 2 tours), but we recommend choosing the optional 1-day introductory course if you have not paddled before or with
to improve your skills and confidence before beginning your trip.
Self-guided Sea Kayaking in Bohuslän. Photo: Nature Travels.
A very flexible option, and with everything you need included, this tour is the ideal way for both novice and experienced paddlers to explore and enjoy some of the thousands of islands that make up the Stockholm Archipelago. The tour is suitable for both adults and families (min. age 12) and has flexible start days between May and September and flexible duration 2-8 or more days.
Choose between Standard or Full Service options. Both include full kayaking equipment (including paddle jacket and gloves), camping and kitchen equipment and everything you need for planning and navigation during your tour. The Full Service option additionally includes return transfer from Stockholm City and a 2-3 instruction course at the start of the trip.
Accommodation is wild camping on all nights, using the high quality equipment provided.
Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago. Photo: KT.
A little to the south of Stockholm, is a 3-day tour based on cabin, guest house, tree tent or standard tent accommodation, which can be easily extended with additional nights in
the same accommodation and/or, for the cabin and guest house options, extra nights wild camping.
As some options feature day kayak
tours from a fixed base, this tour offers a great deal of flexibility to vary the distance covered and level of challenge and can therefore suitable
for novices and families (min. age 7) as well as for more experienced kayakers seeking a higher level of challenge.
Starting just 30 minutes from Helsinki, this tour is a very flexible option to explore hundreds of islands for any duration 2 or more days. The optional day instruction course is recommended for novices and gives you the skills and confidence to make the most of your paddle adventure among the sheltered islands. More experienced paddlers can choose longer durations and explore further afield.
Self-guided Sea Kayaking in the Helsinki Archipelago. Photo: NV.
For an option for kayaking in Finland in an inland setting, located in the east in part of the vast Saimaa lake system, offers wonderful possibilities. Beginning with accommodation in eco-studio, the tour has flexible duration with 4 or more days' paddling exploring the beautiful Linnansaari National Park with an option to also include Kolovesi National Park. Both double and single kayaks are available as an alternative option to using 2-person Canadian canoes.
Norway's stunning mountains and dramatic fjords are an enduring attraction for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. For kayaking, Lysefjord is an excellent option for paddlers with experience and also offers the possibility to do some classic hikes during your trip, including ascents of Pulpit Rock and Kjerag.
Compared to archipelago tours in Sweden and Finland, conditions when paddling in a fjord landscape can be much more challenging, with the potential for strong winds and waves and more limited options to land ashore. These tours are therefore suitable only for experienced kayakers confident in a range of conditions and proficient in rescue techniques - but if this you, then an unforgettable adventure awaits!
Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park. Photo: BNT.
Lithuania offers wonderful opportunities for inland kayaking. This tour differs from our other kayak tours in having accommodation in local guest houses and homesteads along the route, rather than camping - ideal for those who like an outdoor adventure during the day but a roof over their heads and a comfortable bed at night!
Double kayaks are used as standard, with single kayaks available on request, and the tour is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers. A night in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, is included at the start/end of the tour, and additional night(s) and activities can be added in the city to spend more time exploring the rich heritage of the region.
With flexible start days between April and September, this is a great choice for adults or families (min. age 13) wishing to combine a point-to-point kayak tour with comfortable accommodation and cultural elements.
Compare Guided Kayak Tours
We offer options for guided sea kayaking in the beautiful archipelagos of Sweden's west coast, short city tours in Sweden's beautiful capital, Stockholm, and day and multi-day tour options in the Stockholm Archipelago.
A perfect add-on when travelling via Stockholm to or from one of our other experiences in Sweden, these are 2-hour or 3.5-hour sightseeing tours giving you the chance to experience the city from a unique vantage point. Tours use stable double kayaks and are suitable for adults or families (min. age 12). Evening tours even include a traditional Swedish Midsummer picnic! There is a wide choice of tour dates and times between April and September.
No visit to Stockholm is complete without a trip into the archipelago, and there is no better way to experience this unique landscape than by kayak. With transfer included to and from the city centre, there is a choice 1-day, 2-day or 3-day tours, with no previous experience required. Overnight tours include all camping equipment, and the freedom to camp wild adds a wonderful dimension to the experience. 1-day tours are offered on regular dates between May and September, while 2-day and 3-day tours take place in July and August. Like the City tours, this experience makes an ideal add-on if you are visiting or passing through Stockholm, while the multi-day tours are also a great choice for a stand-alone trip.
West Coast Kayaking Adventures. Photo: UB.
On Sweden's west coast, this tour begins with a core itinerary with accommodation in hostel or hotel and featuring instruction day plus two guided day tours. There are then a number of extensions possible, including additional instruction, a guided multi-day tour with wild camping and a multi-activity option including mountain biking and climbing.
For a stand-alone option for guided kayaking in the Bohsulän area, this tour features a choice of four 3-day/2-night itineraries exploring the Koster National Park, Fjällbacka, Orust or Havstenssund archipelago areas. These tours also offer a great opportunity to develop your paddling skills with information instruction and guidance along the way.
