*These tours are listed under our Canoeing category, as they offer the possibility to use either Canadian canoes or sea kayaks.
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?
Absolutely! While the majority of our inland paddle tours are canoe tours using Canadian canoes, we also offer a number of options to use kayaks for inland routes.
In Sweden's High Coast region, a few hours by direct train from Stockholm, we offer Self-guided Kayaking on the Ångerman River, a wonderful tour on calm waters taking you down river from Sollefteå to the High Coast Bridge, where the river enters the Baltic and the High Coast Archipelago.
Finland also offers endless possibilities for paddle tours away from the coast through its extensive inland archipelago and lake network. For our tours in Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Park, it is possible to choose kayaks as an alternative to canoes to explore the lovely Saimaa lake region.
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.
Finally, Lysefjord in Norway is an adventurous kayak tour suitable for experienced paddlers only offering the possibility to kayak the length of this beautiful fjord and take time out for some scenic and challenging hikes 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!
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.
Coastal Archipelago Tours:
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.
A 2-hour instruction course can be added as an optional extra on the start day. This is ideal for novice kayakers to gain confidence or for those with experience to refresh their skills before the tour.
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.
Located in the Baltic Sea off Finland's west coast, the Archipelago Sea is the largest archipelago in the world by number of islands. This adventurous tour is ideal from a short tirp to an extended expedition, with durations from 2-14 or more days and flexible start days from May to October.
Paddle straight out from the kayak base into a wild and beautiful world dotted with thousands of islands - look up and you may see a White-tailed Sea Eagle soaring above you. Look down and a Grey Seal may pop its head out of the water!
The Archipelago National Park covers over 500 sq. km. with around 2,000 islands. The area offers an extensive network of camping spots with fireplaces and dry toilets, even wilderness huts and saunas in some locations, but also the opportunity for fully wild camping.
An instruction course is available before beginning your tour for novice or less experienced kayakers to give you the skills and confidence you need for your tour. The tour is suitable for adults or active families with children aged min. 15 (to paddle single kayak) or min. 10 if sharing double/triple kayak with an adult.
Self-guided Kayaking in the Archipelago Sea. Photo: PA.
Inland Archipelago, River and Fjord Tours:
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.
Very flexible options with the possibility to use Canadian canoes, single kayaks or double kayaks for your tour. There is a vast network to explore and tours can be of varying duration and level of challenge. Families or those seeking an easier tour can choose to stay on Båven lake, in which case no land transports are required but there are, it is said, 365 islands to explore - one for each day of the year!
Alternatively, choose one of the circular or point-to-point route options to discover a network of lakes connected by slow-flowing river channels or portages.
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.
Self-guided Kayaking on the Ångerman River. Photo: HKK.
An ideal option for adults or families (min. age 12) who would like a river tour on calm waters with wild camping using kayaks rather than Canadian canoes. Choose between single or double kayaks depending on your preference and level of experience.
The route runs down river from Sollefteå to the High Coast Bridge, a distance of total 60-70km, and is ideal for tours of 3-4 days. Extend your trip by an additional 1-2 days to paddle out into the Baltic to explore parts of the High Coast Archipelago.
A small amount of previous kayak experience is required, but the tour is an easy-going adventure. The region is fairly remote with wild camping all along the route. Pitch camp on the riverbank or on one of the picturesque island in the centre of the river.
The tour offers varied paddling and scenery - surrounded by rolling blue-green mountains, the first half of the route is on relatively narrow, meandering waters, with the river widening and the landscape opening out as you approach the coast.
With flexible start dates between June and August and easy access by direct train from Stockholm, this is a wonderful way to explore the High Coast region without the additional kayak experience required to paddle in the more exposed areas.
We offer options for guided sea kayaking in the beautiful archipelagos of Sweden's west coast and in the Stockholm Archipelago on the east coast.
Guided Sea Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago. Photo: Andrew Foley.
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 3 days of kayaking and 2 nights of wild island camping, this is a kayak adventure suitable both for novices and for those with some previous experience.
Both adults and children aged 14+ are welcome, and solo travellers will have own tent as standard. Full, high-quality camping equipment is provided, as well as kayak jacket, hat and neoprene gloves. There's even a sauna at the end of the tour!
This experience has a wide choice of dates between early June and mid-September and is easily accessible from Stockholm city by public transport or optional transfer.
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.
West Coast Kayaking Adventures. Photo: UB.
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.
