Start your sail in arctic nature and end further south in alpine Lofoten on this active and memorable sailing adventure.
7 Nights: 8 - 15 August 2023
From: 18,800 NOK / £1,565 per person*
Take part in an exciting sailing trip through Sommarøy, Senja, Vesterålen and Lofoten to Svolvær. Experience this eventful and active holiday, starting in arctic nature and ending in alpine Lofoten further south. This is a trip for those who want to explore the magnificent scenery in this area and experience the rich bird and wildlife close by.
Start the journey by sailing south from Tromsø, through Rystraumen, and then to Sommarøy where anchorage is in a natural harbour between the sandy beaches. From Sommarøy, sail the “outside” of Senja to idyllic Hamn in Bergfjord. From the harbour of Hamn, sail toward the tip of Andøya. Continue sailing south on the west side of Andøya, an incredibly scenic stretch before reaching Bleik. From Bleik, sail inshore past Stave and then amongst the Vesterålen islands.
Sail further into the fjords on Hinnøya and towards the top of Vesterålen's highest mountain; Møysalen. The trip ends with a regatta on the last day through the Lofoten wall to Svolvær, with a dinner on land. With a sailboat as a mobile base for land explorations, get closer to nature, wildlife, local culture and the locals living. During the trip, combine sailing with hiking, fishing, kayaking, and good food. All planned activities along the way are optional.
Day 1: The trip starts at 16.00 from “Paris of the north” Tromsø
Check in and go through the program and safety procedures onboard. In the evening, make dinner, get to know the boat and crew, and prepare for a sail. If ready, and the wind is good, start sailing this night already.
Day 2: Sail to Sommarøya
Start the trip by sailing southwest from Tromsø, through Rystraumen, and then to Sommarøy; an idyllic small island community outside Kvaløya in Troms. At Sommarøya, stretch your legs before anchoring in a natural harbour between the sandy beaches. Here are many scenic little beaches and lagoons to discover.
Day 3: Senja and the harbour of Hamn
From Sommarøy, sail towards Hamn on Senja where you’ll moor up for the night. In the afternoon go for a walk or a paddle around Hamn. This evening, have dinner at the restaurant in Hamn, and possibly jump in the sauna and hot tub before dinner!
Day 4: Whale and sea bird safari on Andøya
Around noon, set sail further south, and north of Andenes the seabed rises from 1000 to 100 meters, and there are good chances of seeing whales. Continue sailing south on the west side of Andøya to Bleik, where the island rises straight up from the ocean behind the long and unique beaches. At Bleik surf, paddle, swim or go hiking through the cultural landscape and visit the cosy local pub that stays open a few nights every summer!
Day 5: Full-day sailing towards Hinnøya and Lonkanfjorden
After a morning bath on one of northern Norway’s most scenic beaches, visit Jakobine café; one of the best and most enjoyable cafes in all of northern Norway, with a wide selection of delicious cakes. Then, a little bit later this day, set sail further south and sail towards Vesterålen. Depending on the wind and conditions, sleep in a natural harbour this night and try to get as far south as possible. In the evening prepare for a summit hike to Møysalen the next morning. The summit is part of the Møysalen National Park, founded in 2003.
Day 6: Summit hike to Møysalen
If the weather permits, start climbing Møysalen in the morning; perhaps the most beautiful mountain hike in northern Norway. With 1262 meters above sea level, the towering mountain is by far the highest in Lofoten and Vesterålen. Split into two or three groups, and the hike takes 8-12 hours, depending on the pace. Back in the boats that evening and depending on the wind and conditions, make a decision on whether to stay the night on anchor or continue sailing a short stretch.
Day 7: Regatta to Svolvær
In the morning get ready for the regatta and race the other boats in this final stretch through the Lofoten wall and towards Svolvær. This will be a day full of sailing where you train on trimming the sails and handling the boat. In Svolvær, go out for dinner and continue the night sharing tall tales.
Day 8: Breakfast and departure
From the “Center of Lofoten”; to Svolvær, the roads, and possibilities are still many for those who want to continue exploring.
The program
The program should be seen as a rough itinerary that we can adapt to the weather and conditions. We also reserve the right to change and improve our itineraries. We will have a dinghy for beach trips and small expeditions, fishing gear for cod, and gear to hike or make bonfires on the beach on all our trips – we are ready for adventure! Are you?
Travel – in general
Sometimes flying is the only option, but not always. If you have the luxury of time, always try to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. Travelling slowly also allows you to start your holiday in a special way. Cycling, taking the train, or driving a car together can be good options! Feel free to add some extra time before and after your trip, since up north the weather can be unpredictable and might affect your plans!
Travel – Tromsø
The fastest option for getting to or from Tromsø is to fly. But if you have time to travel slowly we recommend doing that instead. Taking Hurtigruten south from Tromsø to Bodø and training from there is one option.
Travel – Svolvær
If you have time, take the “Nordlandsbanen” train line to Bodø and the express boat (catamaran) or Hurtigruten (coastal express ferry) from Bodø to Lofoten. But Lofoten is far away for many, and most people end up flying. Then Svolvær is the nearest airport, or you can also fly to Leknes. Flights to Svolvær or Leknes are mostly with a connection in Bodø and are possible to book through Widerøe, SAS, and Norwegian. You can also fly directly from Oslo to and from Harstad/Evenes airport, and then take a bus from there to Lofoten and Henningsvær/Svolvær.
Safety and risk – in general
Safety is taken seriously on our trips, and staff are trained in handling different situations that can occur at sea. On board a boat and on trips, everyone must know what to do in potentially dangerous situations. It is important that as a guest and participant, you are trained quickly enough to be a participant – not a passenger. It contributes to learning, a sense of achievement, and increased safety for all. It’s also why our trips are considered to be sailing courses: you are trained to be one of the crew members on board. Feel free to contact us to discuss the risk.
Level of this trip
Sailing-wise, this trip is not very difficult and is open to novice and experienced sailors. If you are a beginner, you will become a seaman in no time! If you are experienced, you will be given more responsibility and greater challenges so that you can learn new things along the way. Sail is usually along the coast in protected waters, and there is often the opportunity to choose either more or less exposed routes, depending on the weather. The weather Gods decide, so you must be prepared for both windless conditions and sailing in harsher weather!
Equipment/packing
As with all activities, there is plenty of specialized equipment and clothing for sailing. You are not expected to buy lots of new equipment to join any of our trips, so, use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, try to purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment – buy quality items that will last. What you need is something waterproof and windproof on the outside, and layered clothing underneath. Some jackets may not be waterproof enough, or might not perform well in saltwater, so you might want to consider purchasing or renting a set of “oilskins” to use on the wettest days. Even in summer, it can be cold at sea, so bring both swimwear and warm clothing. You will receive a detailed recommended packing list in good time before departure.
Food and cooking
On board, you will be part of the crew and will get the chance to participate in all aspects of the running of the sailboat. This includes the cooking, where everyone is taking turns in the galley! Skippers and guides assist as much as they can along the way. Before the trip, set up a menu and purchase what is needed. Great menu options are offered, with healthy “boat-friendly” food. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know in the registration form and it will be taken into account. During the trip, possibly sail by a good restaurant or two to stop and eat at.
What we expect from you
Guests are encouraged to take part in the routines onboard the sailboat, whether it is sailing, docking, navigating, looking for whales and icebergs, washing up, cooking, cleaning the boat, or contributing in other ways when required. Trips require a little work from the participants – and you must be open to contributing and opening up a bit socially. There are many different people on the trip, and most people get along very well. Take the opportunity to make new friends, and create new and interesting memories!
Life on board and accommodation
Life on board a sailboat is social and pleasant, but for some, it can be perceived as quite intimate and crowded, which one should be prepared for. Everyone should participate in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered crew. It requires some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but the new acquaintances and completely raw nature experiences will take your focus as soon as you become comfortable with life at sea.
Accommodation on the boat is part of the fun. The accommodation is generally in shared cabins, some of which have a double bed and some of which have bunk beds. Figuring out who sleeps where can be a bit of a puzzle, but we do believe we’ve gotten quite good at it. Let us know if you have any special needs or reservations. Arrange any accommodation before and after the trip on your own. If you have any doubts about where to stay, we’re happy to give you some recommendations.
There is plenty of heating and good food on the boat, but not always an abundance of fresh water. This means it will not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day when in a harbour or when sailing through a place with available showers. A morning swim in the sea is also available all year round!
What kind of people join this trip – and how many will we be on board?
Many come alone, some travel as couples, and others travel as a group of friends. The common denominator for everyone is that these are fun and interesting people you will become friends with almost no matter what. Sharing great experiences creates strong ties! It doesn’t matter if you are young or old as long as you want to go on a trip and intend to do your part in making this a great trip for everyone. The number of participants varies from trip to trip. If there are many participants, there will be more boats and skippers. On most trips, sail with multiple boats in a fleet, with 7-9 people onboard each boat.
Environment and sustainability
In general, sailing is an environmentally friendly activity, with skippers sailing as much as possible and using the engine as little as possible. Crew and participants are encouraged to travel as environmentally friendly as possible, and local ingredients and resources are used as much as possible. There are also trips to collect litter and clean ocean trash from beaches.
Philosophically, sailing is an exercise in sustainability: to move with the wind and have limitations on things like water, diesel, electricity, and food. In order to run sustainably, knowledge, patience, flexibility, and hard work are required.
Take an internal flight to Tromsø.
Take an internal flight from Svolvær.
Day 1: The trip starts at 16.00 from “Paris of the north” Tromsø
Check in and go through the program and safety procedures onboard. In the evening, make dinner, get to know the boat and crew, and prepare for a sail. If ready, and the wind is good, start sailing this night already.
Day 2: Sail to Sommarøya
Start the trip by sailing southwest from Tromsø, through Rystraumen, and then to Sommarøy; an idyllic small island community outside Kvaløya in Troms. At Sommarøya, stretch your legs before anchoring in a natural harbour between the sandy beaches. Here are many scenic little beaches and lagoons to discover.
Day 3: Senja and the harbour of Hamn
From Sommarøy, sail towards Hamn on Senja where you’ll moor up for the night. In the afternoon go for a walk or a paddle around Hamn. This evening, have dinner at the restaurant in Hamn, and possibly jump in the sauna and hot tub before dinner!
Day 4: Whale and sea bird safari on Andøya
Around noon, set sail further south, and north of Andenes the seabed rises from 1000 to 100 meters, and there are good chances of seeing whales. Continue sailing south on the west side of Andøya to Bleik, where the island rises straight up from the ocean behind the long and unique beaches. At Bleik surf, paddle, swim or go hiking through the cultural landscape and visit the cosy local pub that stays open a few nights every summer!
Day 5: Full-day sailing towards Hinnøya and Lonkanfjorden
After a morning bath on one of northern Norway’s most scenic beaches, visit Jakobine café; one of the best and most enjoyable cafes in all of northern Norway, with a wide selection of delicious cakes. Then, a little bit later this day, set sail further south and sail towards Vesterålen. Depending on the wind and conditions, sleep in a natural harbour this night and try to get as far south as possible. In the evening prepare for a summit hike to Møysalen the next morning. The summit is part of the Møysalen National Park, founded in 2003.
Day 6: Summit hike to Møysalen
If the weather permits, start climbing Møysalen in the morning; perhaps the most beautiful mountain hike in northern Norway. With 1262 meters above sea level, the towering mountain is by far the highest in Lofoten and Vesterålen. Split into two or three groups, and the hike takes 8-12 hours, depending on the pace. Back in the boats that evening and depending on the wind and conditions, make a decision on whether to stay the night on anchor or continue sailing a short stretch.
Day 7: Regatta to Svolvær
In the morning get ready for the regatta and race the other boats in this final stretch through the Lofoten wall and towards Svolvær. This will be a day full of sailing where you train on trimming the sails and handling the boat. In Svolvær, go out for dinner and continue the night sharing tall tales.
Day 8: Breakfast and departure
From the “Center of Lofoten”; to Svolvær, the roads, and possibilities are still many for those who want to continue exploring.
The program
The program should be seen as a rough itinerary that we can adapt to the weather and conditions. We also reserve the right to change and improve our itineraries. We will have a dinghy for beach trips and small expeditions, fishing gear for cod, and gear to hike or make bonfires on the beach on all our trips – we are ready for adventure! Are you?
PS: This is a recommended packing list. Please take into account if there are other items you may need on board.
