For those who are looking for an active holiday along Norway's most beautiful coast, consider Helgeland! Take part in activities and varied challenges, both in the mountains on land and at sea!
7 Nights: 9 - 16 July 2023
From: 18,800 NOK / £1,565 per person*
This trip is for those who want to experience the islands and atmosphere of coastal Helgeland, as well as the magnificent mountain and fjord landscape in the inner parts of the Svartisen glacier and the Salten area towards Bodø. Start the tour as the Træna festival ends, and set sail northward. There will be sea and fjord sailing, as well as hikes on Træna, Hestmannen, Helgelandsbukken, Rødøyløva, and Sandhornøy. Sail north and west along the many islands and islets of the Helgeland archipelago, and potentially be able to make a stop at the whiskey-island Myken before sailing up to Bodø.
Take the chance to do a mountain climb on Trænstaven, or hike at the Svartisen glacier. All the planned activities along the way are optional. If you prefer, you can also take a break in the boat. During the sail, take the opportunity to learn to sail along the way, regardless of your skill level!
Day 1: Meet in Bodø
Meet at the quay in Bodø at 16:00. Start by getting to know fellow guests and the boat, go through the plan and expectations for the week, as well as go over important points in sailing and safety. After dinner, when everything is ready, set off under sail. The aim is for Landegode, the majestic island just outside Bodø. Here, anchor or find a pier for the night.
Day 2: Trip to Landegode and sail to Steigen and Nordskot
Wake up, ready to enjoy the first full day on this adventure, and perhaps jump in the sea for a refreshing morning swim! After breakfast, take a trip on land and see if one of the peaks on Landegode is reachable. Once back in the boat, depart and practice boat handling and sailing through the archipelago towards Nordskot. Expedition sailors Børge Ousland and Randi Skaug each have their little island here and aim to land at least one of them for a coffee. Spend the night here, and maybe get the chance for a sauna and night swim in the evening.
Day 3: Kayak on Nordskot and sail to Tranøy lighthouse
Around Nordskot there is a rich archipelago full of small islets and chalk-white beaches. For those who wish, this morning there will be an opportunity for a guided kayak trip. After lunch, raise sail again and move north towards Hamarøy and the Tranøy lighthouse. Tranøy lighthouse is centrally located out in the Vestfjorden and has been a beloved landmark for seafarers for generations. This area is rough but beautiful. Eat dinner along the way, and on arrival in Tranøy, opt for a little midnight trip to the lighthouse.
Day 4: Over the Vestfjorden to Skrova
Now it is our turn to cross the famous Vestfjorden. We get ready for a proper sailing and set course from Tranøy and directly towards Lille-Molla and Skrova, far east in Lofoten. Maybe we’ll also be lucky and get a fish or three on the hook today, which we can enjoy for dinner! Once we arrive at the whaling island of Skrova, we have dinner and there will be an opportunity for a hike to Høgskrova for those who want, or to one of the island’s beautiful beaches!
Day 5: Full sailing day out to “Yttersida”
Begin to get a feel for sailing. Today, get to test ourselves; sail through the Lofoten Wall, and reach the outer side of the peninsula – “Yttersida” as it is called in the local Norwegian dialect. The route goes out of Gimsøystraumen and on the north side of the Lofoten Wall, where we pass well-known beaches such as Kvalvika, Eggum, and Unstad. Sail to Tangstad on the inner side of Unstad, where you’ll anchor for the evening.
Day 6: Surfing at Unstad and sailing to Nusfjord
Today, get ready for another activity out in the waves: surfing. With friends at Unstad Arctic Surf, you will get the opportunity to surf. You can either participate in a course with an instructor or just rent some equipment and do your own thing. For those who would rather stay on land, there are several great hikes around Unstad, where you can all enjoy Norway’s best and most expensive cinnamon buns at the café here for lunch. Once back in the boat, raise the anchor and sail down through the Lofoten Wall again. The steep route goes through Nappstraumen; one of the world’s strongest tidal currents. Sail to the small, cosy fishing village of Nusfjord, where there is a booked table at restaurant Karoline, for a wonderful fish meal! Hopefully, the Pauline pub will also be open in the evening.
Day 7: Regatta day!
In Nusfjord, there are several options for hiking in the morning. Either a shorter hike to the three lakes or a longer hike up to some of the nearby peaks, such as Mosestind. After lunch, set off on the last leg, the time for the regatta! Which boat team has learned to sail fastest during the week? The finish line is at the entrance to the harbour in Henningsvær and the boat is not allowed to start the engine until it is inside the harbour basin. Arrive in Henningsvær, perhaps Lofoten’s most spectacular fishing village, in plenty of time to have dinner, tidy up onboard, and end the trip with a happy celebration together at Trevarefabrikken.
Day 8: Trip ending in Henningsvær
Pack, clean, and put the finishing touches on the boat this morning, and leave by 10 o’clock at the latest. Those who wish can have breakfast at Lysstøperiet, which has Norway’s best buns.
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 – Træna
The north-Norwegian train line stops at Mosjøen, and from Mosjøen you can take a bus to Sandnessjøen or Stokkvågen, from where you can get to Træna. For the bus timetables check the route planner at Nordland fylkeskommune.
How do I get all the way to Træna?
You can take an express boat to Træna from both Bodø and Sandnessjøen. There is also a ferry from Stokkvågen. If you are not attending the Træna festival and plan to arrive in Træna on Sunday, the same day as the trip starts, there will be a RIB with departure from Sandnessjøen at 11.00. For alternative ways how to get to Træna, the Træna festival will provide information on how to get to the islands through other tour operators, and here you can also pre-book seats.
Travel – Bodø
The Nordlandsbanen train line goes all the way to Bodø and can be taken overnight from Trondheim or Oslo. This is a great way to travel and a beautiful journey from southern Norway. For timetables and prices see www.vy.no. If you live along the coast, the speed ferries or Hurtigruta are possible options either northbound or southbound. Another option is a flight to Bodø, and there are some reasonable tickets.
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!
The Træna Festival
Visit the Træna Festival before the trip.
The festival is described as “Paradise isn’t always in the tropics,” the local “Trænværingene”’ says and is deemed “one of the best festivals in Europe” by The Guardian.
Equipment/packing
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.
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.
You can take an express boat to Træna from both Bodø and Sandnessjøen.
The Nordlandsbanen train line goes all the way to Bodø, and can be taken overnight from Trondheim or Oslo.
Day 1: Meet in Bodø
Meet at the quay in Bodø at 16:00. Start by getting to know fellow guests and the boat, go through the plan and expectations for the week, as well as go over important points in sailing and safety. After dinner, when everything is ready, set off under sail. The aim is for Landegode, the majestic island just outside Bodø. Here, anchor or find a pier for the night.
Day 2: Trip to Landegode and sail to Steigen and Nordskot
Wake up, ready to enjoy the first full day on this adventure, and perhaps jump in the sea for a refreshing morning swim! After breakfast, take a trip on land and see if one of the peaks on Landegode is reachable. Once back in the boat, depart and practice boat handling and sailing through the archipelago towards Nordskot. Expedition sailors Børge Ousland and Randi Skaug each have their little island here and aim to land at least one of them for a coffee. Spend the night here, and maybe get the chance for a sauna and night swim in the evening.
Day 3: Kayak on Nordskot and sail to Tranøy lighthouse
Around Nordskot there is a rich archipelago full of small islets and chalk-white beaches. For those who wish, this morning there will be an opportunity for a guided kayak trip. After lunch, raise sail again and move north towards Hamarøy and the Tranøy lighthouse. Tranøy lighthouse is centrally located out in the Vestfjorden and has been a beloved landmark for seafarers for generations. This area is rough but beautiful. Eat dinner along the way, and on arrival in Tranøy, opt for a little midnight trip to the lighthouse.
Day 4: Over the Vestfjorden to Skrova
Now it is our turn to cross the famous Vestfjorden. We get ready for a proper sailing and set course from Tranøy and directly towards Lille-Molla and Skrova, far east in Lofoten. Maybe we’ll also be lucky and get a fish or three on the hook today, which we can enjoy for dinner! Once we arrive at the whaling island of Skrova, we have dinner and there will be an opportunity for a hike to Høgskrova for those who want, or to one of the island’s beautiful beaches!
Day 5: Full sailing day out to “Yttersida”
Begin to get a feel for sailing. Today, get to test ourselves; sail through the Lofoten Wall, and reach the outer side of the peninsula – “Yttersida” as it is called in the local Norwegian dialect. The route goes out of Gimsøystraumen and on the north side of the Lofoten Wall, where we pass well-known beaches such as Kvalvika, Eggum, and Unstad. Sail to Tangstad on the inner side of Unstad, where you’ll anchor for the evening.
Day 6: Surfing at Unstad and sailing to Nusfjord
Today, get ready for another activity out in the waves: surfing. With friends at Unstad Arctic Surf, you will get the opportunity to surf. You can either participate in a course with an instructor or just rent some equipment and do your own thing. For those who would rather stay on land, there are several great hikes around Unstad, where you can all enjoy Norway’s best and most expensive cinnamon buns at the café here for lunch. Once back in the boat, raise the anchor and sail down through the Lofoten Wall again. The steep route goes through Nappstraumen; one of the world’s strongest tidal currents. Sail to the small, cosy fishing village of Nusfjord, where there is a booked table at restaurant Karoline, for a wonderful fish meal! Hopefully, the Pauline pub will also be open in the evening.
Day 7: Regatta day!
In Nusfjord, there are several options for hiking in the morning. Either a shorter hike to the three lakes or a longer hike up to some of the nearby peaks, such as Mosestind. After lunch, set off on the last leg, the time for the regatta! Which boat team has learned to sail fastest during the week? The finish line is at the entrance to the harbour in Henningsvær and the boat is not allowed to start the engine until it is inside the harbour basin. Arrive in Henningsvær, perhaps Lofoten’s most spectacular fishing village, in plenty of time to have dinner, tidy up onboard, and end the trip with a happy celebration together at Trevarefabrikken.
Day 8: Trip ending in Henningsvær
Pack, clean, and put the finishing touches on the boat this morning, and leave by 10 o’clock at the latest. Those who wish can have breakfast at Lysstøperiet, which has Norway’s best buns.
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.
