Discover the most beautiful and rugged mountains, fjords, and beaches that Lofoten has to offer this September. Explore the island by boat with the whole of Lofoten as the playground.
7 Nights: 31 August - 07 September 2023
From: 18,800 NOK / £1,545 per person*
With seven days at your disposal, seeing the Lofoten mountains from different angles accompanied by the midnight sun will give you a real summer and holiday feeling! Being on a sailboat, enjoy the flexibility and move smoothly around the islands. During the trip, go hiking, fishing, kayaking, and surfing. Sail to and visit some of the best and most exciting cultural sites and restaurants in Lofoten. Learn a lot about sailing, as we end the trip as real sailors, crossing Vestfjorden to Bodø.
Begin the tour in Svolvær and sail north to Raftsudent, Digermulen, and Trollfjorden; an impressive fjord landscape with steep mountainsides and alpine mountain ranges. Sail to places like Skrova, Vestfjorden, Gimsøysundet, Unstad and into Mærvoll and Tangstad. From here the tour continues south again through the mountains in Nappstraumen and to Nusfjord. After many days of learning the ins and outs of sailing aboard our vessel, we are ready to end the trip with a race over Vestfjorden to Bodø.
Like on all our trips, you will learn to sail along the way, and you will get both challenges and feelings of achievement - as well as friends for life!
Day 1: The trip starts in Svolvær
Meet at 16:00. 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 winds are good, start sailing this first night.
Day 2: Raftsundet and Trollfjorden
After breakfast, sail towards Trollfjorden and Rafstundet, past Lille Molla, Store Molla, and Digermulen. Maybe stop for lunch in Trollfjord. This fjord is very well-known for the steep mountains that shoot down into the narrow fjord below. Either take a walk up to Trollfjordhytta and feel the “troll atmosphere” in Trollheim or have a campfire on the beach. Spend the night at the pier in Trollfjorden or at anchor amongst the islands of Rafstundet.
Day 3: Sailing to Skrova and Henningsvær
After a chill morning with a good breakfast on board, set sail and navigate around Store Molla and Lille Molla and to the small and venerable whale-hunting Island Skrova, which lies amongst the islands in Vestfjorden. On Skrova, go ashore and try to summit the little mountaintop with its impressive views of the “Lofoten wall” in the west, all of Vestfjorden, and Hamarøy and Steigen in the east. In the afternoon, set sail from Skrova to Henningsvær, one of the best harbours in Lofoten. This place is very lively in the summer, and you can choose to stay overnight in the harbour or find an anchorage just outside the town. Go to shore and explore. Nusfjord is also surrounded by high mountains, so those who are interested can go for a climb. In the evening, have dinner at Restaurant Karoline, one of the better places to eat in Lofoten. There is also a fun pub where one can have a few rounds before sleeping in Nusfjord for the night.
Day 4: Sailing to the northside of Lofoten and Unstad surfing beach
After breakfast, sail up Gimsøystraumen and to the north side of Lofoten, then head west towards the well-known surfing beach of Unstad, which is the goal for the day. We moor at Mærvoll, from which one can go over the hill to Unstad. At Unstad Arctic Surf those who are interested can rent surfing equipment and take a surfing class. Another option is to go to the Viking Museum in Borg. In the evening, eat dinner in Unstad or in the boat, and when everyone is nice and full, head back to the boat where the gentle waves will rock you to sleep.
Day 5: Sailing to Nusfjord fishing village
Have a chill morning and a cosy breakfast onboard. Afterwards, raise our sails directed southwards through the “Lofoten wall” again, towards Nappstraumen. From there it is not so far to Nusfjord. Nusfjord is Lofoten’s most iconic and best-maintained fishing village, and the whole place is a museum. Go to shore and explore! The village is also surrounded by impressive mountains, which the adventurous of us might choose to climb. In the evening we eat dinner at Restaurant Karoline, one of the best places to eat in Lofoten. There is also a fun pub in town, so pop in to have a few rounds before spending the night in Nusfjord.
Day 6: Morning sail to Reine to spend the day in the mountains or on the beach
It is finally time to visit Reine, and there is no better way to arrive in Reine than by boat. The harbour waters are surrounded by steep mountains, making for breathtaking views. On this day, the options include going on a guided kayak tour, walking up to Reinebringen, or taking the boat into Reinefjorden to Vinstad, from which you can follow a trail north to visit Bunesstranda. On Bunesstranda, take the responsibility to clean up some trash left behind by others. Spend the night in Reine.
Day 7: Sailing over Vestfjorden to Bodø
It is time to clean up and make the boat truly sea-ready, put on our sailing gloves, and cross Vestfjorden like true sailors. The crossing takes 8 to 12 hours, depending on the weather. As there are usually multiple boats on the trip this week, it can be a “regatta day” where the boats race across the fjord. If the conditions are good stop in “the weather” outside of Bodø on our way in. Arrive in Bodø in the evening. After a well-deserved arrival have a drink and do a quick clean-up on board so it is easier to clean up the next morning.
Day 8: Ending the trip in Bodø in the morning
In the morning, leave the boat and have breakfast at Thon hotel on the quayside – the city’s best breakfast.
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
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 Svolvær
If you have time then take the “Nordlandsbanen” train line to Bodø and the express boat (catamaran) or Hurtigruten (coastal express ferry) from Bodø to Lofoten. However, Lofoten is far away for many, and most people end up flying. Svolvær is the nearest airport, or you can 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.
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!
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 trips, you will be part of the crew onboard and 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. On board, everyone participates in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered crew. We would like to get to know you well and hope that you will get to know everyone else on the boat as soon as possible. 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. 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.
We have 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 Svolvær.
Take an internal flight from Bodø.
Day 1: The trip starts in Svolvær
Meet at 16:00. 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 winds are good, start sailing this first night.
Day 2: Raftsundet and Trollfjorden
After breakfast, sail towards Trollfjorden and Rafstundet, past Lille Molla, Store Molla, and Digermulen. Maybe stop for lunch in Trollfjord. This fjord is very well-known for the steep mountains that shoot down into the narrow fjord below. Either take a walk up to Trollfjordhytta and feel the “troll atmosphere” in Trollheim or have a campfire on the beach. Spend the night at the pier in Trollfjorden or at anchor amongst the islands of Rafstundet.
Day 3: Sailing to Skrova and Henningsvær
After a chill morning with a good breakfast on board, set sail and navigate around Store Molla and Lille Molla and to the small and venerable whale-hunting Island Skrova, which lies amongst the islands in Vestfjorden. On Skrova, go ashore and try to summit the little mountaintop with its impressive views of the “Lofoten wall” in the west, all of Vestfjorden, and Hamarøy and Steigen in the east. In the afternoon, set sail from Skrova to Henningsvær, one of the best harbours in Lofoten. This place is very lively in the summer, and you can choose to stay overnight in the harbour or find an anchorage just outside the town. Go to shore and explore. Nusfjord is also surrounded by high mountains, so those who are interested can go for a climb. In the evening, have dinner at Restaurant Karoline, one of the better places to eat in Lofoten. There is also a fun pub where one can have a few rounds before sleeping in Nusfjord for the night.
Day 4: Sailing to the northside of Lofoten and Unstad surfing beach
After breakfast, sail up Gimsøystraumen and to the north side of Lofoten, then head west towards the well-known surfing beach of Unstad, which is the goal for the day. We moor at Mærvoll, from which one can go over the hill to Unstad. At Unstad Arctic Surf those who are interested can rent surfing equipment and take a surfing class. Another option is to go to the Viking Museum in Borg. In the evening, eat dinner in Unstad or in the boat, and when everyone is nice and full, head back to the boat where the gentle waves will rock you to sleep.
Day 5: Sailing to Nusfjord fishing village
Have a chill morning and a cosy breakfast onboard. Afterwards, raise our sails directed southwards through the “Lofoten wall” again, towards Nappstraumen. From there it is not so far to Nusfjord. Nusfjord is Lofoten’s most iconic and best-maintained fishing village, and the whole place is a museum. Go to shore and explore! The village is also surrounded by impressive mountains, which the adventurous of us might choose to climb. In the evening we eat dinner at Restaurant Karoline, one of the best places to eat in Lofoten. There is also a fun pub in town, so pop in to have a few rounds before spending the night in Nusfjord.
Day 6: Morning sail to Reine to spend the day in the mountains or on the beach
It is finally time to visit Reine, and there is no better way to arrive in Reine than by boat. The harbour waters are surrounded by steep mountains, making for breathtaking views. On this day, the options include going on a guided kayak tour, walking up to Reinebringen, or taking the boat into Reinefjorden to Vinstad, from which you can follow a trail north to visit Bunesstranda. On Bunesstranda, take the responsibility to clean up some trash left behind by others. Spend the night in Reine.
Day 7: Sailing over Vestfjorden to Bodø
It is time to clean up and make the boat truly sea-ready, put on our sailing gloves, and cross Vestfjorden like true sailors. The crossing takes 8 to 12 hours, depending on the weather. As there are usually multiple boats on the trip this week, it can be a “regatta day” where the boats race across the fjord. If the conditions are good stop in “the weather” outside of Bodø on our way in. Arrive in Bodø in the evening. After a well-deserved arrival have a drink and do a quick clean-up on board so it is easier to clean up the next morning.
Day 8: Ending the trip in Bodø in the morning
In the morning, leave the boat and have breakfast at Thon hotel on the quayside – the city’s best breakfast.
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
PS: This is a recommended packing list. Please take into account if there are other items you may need on board.
