TOUR PLANNING
Useful maps, links and resources to help you prepare for your kayak & outdoor trip.
RECOMMENDED READING BEFORE YOUR TRIP
Below are some good planning resources for you. In our kayak center you will find basic maps covering daily paddling area as well as sea charts for all trips. We provide information includes shops, islands with sauna, places to refill drinking water and good camping spots.
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Weather
The weather in Stockholm Archipelago tends to be slightly better the further you get from the mainland. Often when it is pouring in Stockholm there is brilliant sun in the outer skerries. And we use to say "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes". So come prepared for anything and we promise you'll have great time away!
You will find below links to recommended weather and wind forecasts. Some of them you can download as app on your mobile.
Make sure you always stay aware of the weather forecast and take your own (and other group members) physical condition and experience level into consideration when planning your trip.
Sudden changes in weather can make a daytrip twice as long, and much more challenging both physically and mentally. Calculate your timings carefully.
Vaxholm weather and wind now
Our favorite forecasts
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When to go
We are paddling all year round although typically, the season for multiday trips run between May and late September.
Summer season between May and September
Stockholm's northern location means that in June and the first half of July, the nights are relatively short, with about 18 hours of daylight. Around the summer solstice you will enjoy a bright blue sky once the sun has set because it does not get any darker than nautical twilight. You can celebrate Swedish Midsummer either on your own hand or during traditional celebration in Vaxholm.
Late summer is our favorite time to go sea kayaking in Stockholm Archipelago. When the summer crowds departlife returns to normal for those who live here all year round. The archipelago off-season is time to slow down, enjoy wonderful tranquility andluxury of having it all to yourself. Later on water is starting to get cold and, if unlucky, can be wet and windy. For late September rentals we do recommend that you have some kayaking and camping experience.
Our kayak center is open everyday between mid May and mid September (depending on the weather). In summer time we provide rentals of our sea- and expedition kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, bikes and packages including equipment for wild camping (tent, sleeping bags, stove etc.)
Note that most establishments (shops, restaurants, cafes etc.) in the archipelago is usually open for high season so roughly from Midsummer until the third week of August.
Off-season between September and April
As long as our waters are not covered with ice we organize guided kayaking tours with appropriate winter gear provided. Rentals are not available at that time. Check our winter offer →
Annual air temperatures
(graph fromWikipedia)
Annual water temperatures
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Maps
You will find below: sea chart for navigation, map with nearest food markets and map of food markets in archipelago.
Time and distance estimate
Avarage paddling speed with a sea kayak is about 4 - 5 km/h (but depends also on wind speed and direction). Please find below grading which may help you to estimate level of kayaking trip:
Easy: Less experienced kayakers, easy kayaking at a slow tempo, approx. 10-20km/day or 2-4 hours/day.
Recommended routes →
Intermediate: Experienced kayakers, approx. 15-30km/day or 3-5 hours/day.
Demanding: Very experienced kayakers, demanding kayaking, approx. 20-40km/day or 4-7hours/day.Sea chart
Food markets in archipelago
There are two local markets ICA where you can make your food shopping before your adventure. Both are about 2.5 - 3 km away from our place. You can easily get there with bus or you are welcome to use our bike, if is available. We recommend to have almost whole food for your adventure, especially dry food like rice, pasta, canned food, muesli etc.
Below you will find also map of shops located on bigger islands on archipelago where you can get some fresh food if needed.
Distance from our kayak center to some of main islands
Grinda 15 km
Örsö 17 km
Lådna 22 km
Siarö 22 km
Nässlingen 26 km
Träskö Storö 28 km
Finnhamn 30 km
Stavsnäs 30 km
Möja 33 km
Sandhamn 41 km
Furusund 46 km
Björkskär 47 km
Jungfruskär 50 km -
Packing list
We use expedition single and double kayaks with hatches to fit your camping gear. Depending on particular kayak model the hatch openings you’ll be packing into are about 24- 40 cm across. So baggage limits. Just like the airlines. We recommend that you pack most of your kit into small dry-bags (about 3-5 litres), especially clothes and electronic devices.
Remember that all the food and water also need to fit into the kayaks. Double pack all of your goods into dry bags and then into the hatch to protect against the risk of getting wet.
Personal paddling gear and clothes (according to the weather and season)
- Non-cotton long-sleeve shirt for paddling and quick-dry shorts/pants
- Rain/windproof jacket
- Water shoes or sandals with heel strap
- Water bottle
- Sun protection
- Sun- / regular glasses with strap
- Set of dry bags for your on shore clothes and other kit
- Waterproof watch
Paddling gear shared with other group members (pricelist of our extra gear for rental →)
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- Navigation gear: map and compass, optionally deck compass
- Safety gear: extra paddle, bilge hand pump, tow line
- First air kit
On shore clothes and personal items
- Set of warm outdoor clothes (in the dry bag)
- Light hiking shoes
- Towel
- Bathing suit
- Head lamp
- Personal hygiene environmental friendly products to be used in salt water
- Mobile in waterproof etui
- Power bank, extra batteries
- Bug repellent
- Medications you need
- Documents
- Sense of adventure!
Camping (this gear is also included in our premium package; some of items are available to rent induvidually)
- Tent
- Sleeping mattress
- Sleeping bags (in the dry bag)
- Outdoor cooking gear (stove, set of pots and pan, meal kit with bowls, cups, utensils, cutting board, knive, dish soap, sponge)
- Matches, lighter
- Shovel and toilet paper
- Garbage bags
Food (use your imagination and common sense)
- Meals: rice, pasta, muesli, porridge, dry sausages, tinned food, sandwiches, eggs
- Snacks: banana, apple, nuts, raisin, dark chocolate, muesli bar
Water supply (calculate about 2 liters/person/day)
- 1,5l bottles of water fit well in kayak hatches
- You'll be able to refill water after few days (in the summer season) so it's fair enough to have water for first 2-3 days (but be better prepared if you are planning to paddle to remote islands)
Optional
- Camera
- Favorite snacks
- Binoculars
- Fishing gear
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Safety
Safety tips:
- Always use buoyancy aid (included in the rent) when paddling.
- All kayaks are unsinkable. Make sure the lids are properly closed.
- Plan your trip at your skill level and weather conditions. Tour plans must be communicated with us.
- We require that you have a map for navigation (1:50.000 is enough) which includes fairways, sea mark, and landmarks. You can rent it / buy it from us if you need to. Basic map covering daily paddling are is included in rental.
- We do not provide pickup service in case you or your buddies have problems getting back in time. We recommend that you call boat taxi service Kastellets Rederi +46 (0) 70-225 0005, Resarö Sjötaxi +46 (0) 70-9169417, Waxholm Water Taxi +46 (0) 70 600 61 00.
- Think about extra safety gear you might need (compass, spare paddle, pump, drybags etc.) List of gear and prices for individual items, subject to availability.
Kayak T-rescue | Buddy rescue
Learn how to make buddy rescue before you rent kayaks with friends on your own hand. The T-rescue (or buddy rescue) offers a quick way to get a capsized kayak partner back in their boat.
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Camping
Why not enjoy your own island for a night? In Sweden we have the unique Right of Public Access which gives you the freedom to paddle and camp wherever you like with the obligation to respect and protect the wild and others. Leave absolutely nothing behind when you leave.
Wild camping
You can put up a tent for up to two nights as long as you stay away from dwelling and respect the natural environment. Read about Right of Public Access →
Campsites
There are several camping locations in archipelago. The nearest campsing from our kayak center is on Grinda. Check also alist of campsites owned by Archipelago Foundation which is protecting a genuine archipelago. Archipelago Foundation →
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Learn
Spend some time before your trip to learn about Stockholm Archipelago. It will be truly rewarding and inspirational time! We've put together some resources which might be interesting before your adventure.
Leave nothing but footprints
The Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) gives us a wonderful way to experience Sweden’s countryside, whether paddling, hiking, bicycling or even riding. But be sensible. Show that you care about nature so that we all can continue to enjoy and access the outdoors.
Read more about The Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten)→
Read about Swedish Fishing Rules →Movie 'The Young Sea'
A beautiful journey around the Baltic Sea and the beauty of the lives of those that shape it. World renowned photographer and filmmaker Mattias Klum has for year followed life around the Baltic Sea, the youngest sea on the planet. A sea surrounded by nine countries and 90 million people. With the largest body of brackish water in the world. A sea both loved and forgotten. This vulnerable, uniquely balanced ecosystem is now at risk. A film built on passion and fascination. But triggered by deep concern.
Producer/Director Mattias Klum
Title The Young Sea
Length 58 minutes
Release 2019The Young Sea - vimeo from Folke Rydén Production on Vimeo.
Book 'Harmony of the Stockholm Skerries' by Jeppe Wikström
Never before has the Stockholm archipelago been portrayed in such a grand manner. Photographer Jeppe Wikström reveals the barren, the bountiful and everything else that attracts us to the sea.
In staggeringly beautiful images, he takes readers to the thousands of seemingly magical islands that fan out in two great arcs from the Swedish capital. This exclusive volume has become a classic in just a few years, selling more than 50,000 copies. The Swedish edition is published under the title of Havsskärgård.
