Self-guided Sea Kayaking in St Anna and Gryt (Sweden)

The Gryt archipelago is part of the larger St. Anna island network and is one of Sweden's premier kayaking areas, known for the beauty of its natural landscape and ideal for exploring by sea kayak.

Camp wild for the whole trip or break your tour with two nights in an island cabin!

You are free to plan your days as you wish, taking to the water to explore as much or as little of the stunning St. Anna and Gryt Archipelago as your time, energy and level of experience permits.

Your kayak adventure starts and ends at the kayak centre on the mainland. From here, you have many options to vary the route, distance covered and level of challenge depending on your experience, weather conditions and time available.

There are two main tour options:

• Option 1 - Wild Camping (min. duration 3 days/2 nights): Dome tent, sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping mat, cooking stove with fuel and camping plates are all included, and you can add as many nights as you wish to extend your tour - there's plenty to explore in this extensive island labyrinth!
• Option 2 - Wild Camping on First Night + Island Cabin on Harstena (min. duration 4 days/3 nights): Harstena lies in the northern part of the Gryt archipelago and is a lovely area with well preserved archipelago natural and cultural heritage. With one wild camping night at the start of your tour en route from the mainland, those with suitable experience can paddle to the island of Harstena to stay in Simple or Upgraded cabins for two nights, doing a day's kayaking with the island as your base before either returning to the mainland or continuing with extra days of wild camping in the archipelago. This option is a wonderful opportunity to combine a wild camping expedition with some extra comfort! As with Option 1, all camping equipment is included and you can extend your kayak adventure with as many additional wild camping nights as you wish. NB: This option requires previous kayaking experience and greater confidence on the water, as you will be crossing larger stretches of open water to reach Harstena.

The St. Anna and Gryt area offers great flexibility to explore a beautiful labyrinth of islands. Photo: C. Swanson.

The flexibility to offer an adventure for all abilities

Self-guided Sea Kayaking in St Anna and Gryt offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of level of challenge, distance covered and duration, and is therefore suitable for a wide range of abilities:

• Optional kayak skills instruction course: For those with limited experience or who have not been kayaking for a while, we strongly recommend the optional 2-hour instruction course on your start day to prepare for your adventure.
• Novice or less experienced paddlers: The tour is a wonderful, accessible introduction to the activity of sea kayaking, with wild camping on all nights. There is no minimum distance to cover and no fixed route, so you can easily adapt your trip to match your abilities and spend as much time on (or off!) the water as you wish.
• More experienced kayakers: There is plenty of opportunity to explore further afield and increase the level of challenge, with the choice either to camp wild on all nights or combine camping with two nights on the island of Harstena. The island cabin option is ideal for those with the experience to kayak out to the island and who also appreciate a roof over their heads at night - a great combination of adventure and simple comfort.

Arrival

For guests arriving by public transport, transfer from the bus stop at Fyrudden Hamn (approx. 4km) is included. Please let us know your bus arrival time in advance.

Possible start times 09.00-17.00 by arrangement (if adding instruction before beginning your tour, you will to arrive by latest lunchtime to allow time for your instruction session and then to paddle to your first overnight camping spot).

Note that accommodation at or near the kayak centre is available as an optional extra if you wish to spend a night here before beginning your tour.

Meet at the kayak centre for information and equipment. You will begin your experience from the kayak camp.

You will be advised on a suitable location to paddle to for first overnight depending on wind/weather conditions, time available, and your intended route.

The closest suitable camping spot is approx. 30 mins' paddle from the kayak centre. Plan start time accordingly to allow ample time to reach your overnight spot in daylight, especially if travelling towards the end of the season when daylight hours are shorter.

Following Days

Your self-guided kayak tour continues through the St. Anna and Gryt Archipelago, camping wild beneath the stars.

Option 1 tours: Wild Camping

A wide choice of options for exploring the beautiful island landscape is available. Distance covered and level of challenge is entirely flexible depending on factors such as your level of experience/fitness and wind/weather conditions. For novices or families, there is accessible paddling close to shore, while more experienced paddlers can choose to explore further afield.

Option 2 tours: Wild Camping on First Night + Island Cabin on Harstena

If you have chosen this option for your tour, you will spend one night at the start of your tour wild camping en route from the mainland, followed by two nights on the island in a choice of Simple or Upgraded cabin accommodation.

After your stay on Harstena, you can either paddle directly back to the kayak centre on the mainland, or as many extra days kayaking and wild camping as you with to continue your exploration of the archipelago.

The route to Harstena is minimum around 8km from the mainland (approx. 4 hours' continuous paddling) and takes you through a network of islands with many possibilities to stop. Explore the sandy beach of Sandö and the lovely lagoon of Långholmen before paddling out towards Gubbökupa, a fine spot for lunch 30m above the water and with a 360 degree view of the surrounding archipelago. Continue via Klubben and on to the island of Harstena, where your cabin accommodation is located.

Kayaking to/from Harstena requires crossing some areas of open water and is recommended only if you have previous experience of kayaking and are comfortable paddling independently in a marine environment.

Departure

For guests departing by public transport, transfer to the bus stop at Fyrudden Hamn (approx. 4km) is included. Please let us know your bus departure time in advance.

Your last day of kayaking brings you back to the kayak centre for departure (distance/time depending on where you have camped the night before).

Please be back at the kayak centre in time to complete cleaning and return of your equipment by latest 17.00.

Note that accommodation at or near the kayak centre is available as an optional extra if you wish to spend a night here before onward travel.

Included

Kayaking Equipment:

• Sea kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids, splash skirt, night cover, safety equipment, bilge pump and waterproof bags.
• Stable two-person (K2) kayaks (ideal for novices or those who wish to share the effort of paddling) and single (K1) kayaks are available, in PE plastic or fibreglass. Tahe Marine, Everest and EPIC kayaks are used. Some of the kayaks have rudders and skegs while others have Smart Track rudder control system. Please specify when booking whether you would prefer K1 or K2 kayaks.

Camping Equipment:

• Free-standing dome tent (suitable for 2-3 persons).
• Sleeping bag (with liner) and inflatable sleeping mat.
• Kitchen equipment (cooking stove, pans, fuel, plates, mug, washing up liquid). Please bring own cutlery.
• Sea map. Information and suggestions on route options will be given at the start of the tour.
• Toilet spade.
• Water container.

Example dome tents provided for the tour. Photos: C. Swanson

Island Cabin on Harstena (Option 2 tours only):

There are two standards of cabin available (see example images below). Bedding and towels are included. NB: End cleaning is not included. Please clean your cabin before departure.

• Simple Cabin: The cabins vary in size and specifications depending on availability, but are typically simple but cosy and comfortable camping cabins sleeping 2-4 persons (bunk beds) with small kitchen for self-catering. WC/shower in separate building.
• Upgraded Cabin: Comfortable cabins approx. 40-45m2 with lovely views of the sea. Cabins are approx. 150m from the water, where there are bathing rocks and pebble beach. Fully equipped kitchen for self-catering with cooker, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. 1 x 2-person bedroom with double/twin, one bed + extra bed in open landing area. Bathroom with toilet and shower. Shared outside barbecue area.

Typical cabins for the "Simple Cabin" option. Photos: OK

Typical cabins for the "Upgraded Cabin" option. Photos: OK

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Food: Please purchase all provisions before beginning your tour. Depending on the dates of your tour, there may be small stores open to purchase provisions in the area, but these should not be relied upon. If staying on Harstena during your tour, there is a small restaurant and bakery on Harstena open during high season (normally from Midsummer to mid-August). Howver, note that, especially if travelling outside high season, there may be no facilities open on Harstena for provisions and we recommend purchasing all essential provisions for your tour before leaving the mainland.
• End cleaning: If staying on Harstena during your tour or adding accommodation on the mainland before or after your tour, please clean your cabin accommodation before departure.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

This tour offers great flexibility to vary the route, level of challenge and distance covered depending on your ability/experience, time available and wind and weather conditions.

Minimum 2 adults (18+) required. Swimming ability required for all participants. Recommended min. age 15 years. You should be in good health, have a general good level of fitness, enjoy the outdoors and be comfortable on the water in a range of conditions.

We recommend that novices and those with limited experience choose double kayaks, which are the most stable option. Please specify your requirements for single/double kayaks on booking.

There are no currents/tides in the archipelago. While strong winds are rare, weather conditions can of course vary and in windy conditions the water can be choppy.

Note that the water can be very cold if paddling early/late in the season and we recommend you have additional experience for tours at this time.

Guests choosing Option 2 tours (kayaking to island cabin on Harstena) should have previous experience and additional confidence on the water. Kayaking between Harstena and the mainland in a single stretch (if you choose to do this when leaving Harstena to end your tour that day) requires paddle time of min. 4 hours (not including breaks). This route requires crossing larger areas of open water. En route to Harstena, you will break your journey with one night's camping.

What makes this "Easy-Medium"?

The flexibility available for this tour allows for a varied level of challenge. For tours featuring wild camping on all nights, level of challenge will depend on the route chosen and distance taken. There is no minimum distance to cover and you can make your tour as relaxed or active as you wish. If adding two nights in island cabin on Harstena, challenge level will typically be higher, as you must paddle at minimum between the mainland and the island, crossing some larger stretches of open water.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Ticks and TBE:

Note: Ticks occur mostly in grassy areas.

As in the UK and other areas, there are ticks in the Nordic forests which can carry diseases such as Borrelia. You should check for ticks at the end of a day in the outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible by pulling the tick out straight, carefully and slowly, with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Ensure that you do not leave any of the insect's mouth parts attached to your skin. Wash the bite area with soap and water. In the unlikely event that you feel unwell or notice anything unusual around the area of the bite in the coming days, consult your doctor.

As in large areas of mainland Europe, in some localised areas of the Nordic countries, the ticks are known to carry TBE, or Tick-borne encephalitis, and locals spending extended periods in affected areas often choose to vaccinate themselves. For current advice on TBE and inoculations for the area you are visiting, please consult your doctor or see Travel Health Pro.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Hike and Bike in the Stockholm Archipelago (4 days, start/end Stockholm)
• Hike, Bike and Paddle Stockholm's Lakes and Islands (4 or 5 days, start/end Stockholm)
• Island Hopping and Hiking in the Stockholm Archipelago (6 days, start/end Stockholm)

Groups

This experience is also suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.