YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT KAYAK TRIP IN THE STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO
One of the best parts of our job is helping guests plan their adventure and hearing the stories when they return. There is nothing quite like seeing someone come back sunburnt, wind-swept, and grinning from ear to ear after a few days on the water. That is what we do this for.
Below you will find answers to the most common questions we receive. If there is anything else you would like to know, you are always welcome to get in touch.
5 EXPERT TIPS FROM OUR GUIDES
Our guides have spent thousands of hours on the water in the Stockholm Archipelago. Here are their top tips.
Book an extra day and slow down
Add one more day than you think you need. Use it to linger at a beautiful campsite, explore an island on foot, or simply sit still and listen to the sea. If the weather changes suddenly and you need to stay on land, or if you get more tired than expected, that extra slack in the itinerary is worth gold.
Bring good food
Opt for our food package with plenty of good food and snacks, or shop for your own favourite ingredients. A sea kayak can carry far more than a hiking backpack, so treat yourselves. Perhaps a bottle of wine for the sunset.
Visit a local village
Some routes pass through archipelago villages like Berg on Möja, Sandhamn, or Solvik on Nämdö. These are wonderful places to take a break, soak up the island culture, and enjoy a Swedish fika: a hot drink and a kanelbulle (cinnamon bun).
Embrace all weathers
If the wind picks up, use the day for an island hike or a cosy afternoon in the tent. The weather changes quickly out here. A rainy morning often turns into a sunny golden evening.
Talk to people you meet
Strike up conversations with other kayakers, boat owners, and locals on the islands. Share tips, swap stories, and you might end up sharing a meal together. The archipelago is a community.
WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR KAYAK TRIP
If you have booked our self-guided kayak expedition, we take care of all kayaking and camping equipment. You simply need to arrive with your hand luggage containing outdoor clothes and personal items. We take care of the rest.
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- Return transfers from Stockholm city
- All kayak gear (including kayak jackets, hat, and neoprene gloves)
- All camping equipment (including comfortable extras like camping chairs, pillows, and inflatable mattresses)
- Food packages with all meals and plenty of snacks (if you add this option)
- A thorough introduction from your personal guide to prepare you for the tour
- Safe storage of luggage bags and other items at the kayak centre during your tour
- Toilets, showers, and sauna at the centre before and after your trip
- 24/7 on-duty guide support via phone for assistance or unplanned events during the tour
We take care of everything so you can simply show up and enjoy the experience.
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- A Swedish fika (coffee or tea and a treat) and meet and greet with your guide
- Introduction to your kayaks, kayak equipment, and camping equipment
- Safety orientation
- Tour planning and route recommendations
- Sustainability orientation, including the Right of Public Access, bird protection, and nature conservation
- Basic kayak technique
- Introduction to food packages and recipe cards (if you added the food package)
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- Kayak (double/tandem is standard and recommended for groups)
- Paddle, life vest, spray skirt, safety pump, sponge, cloth
- Map of the area and kayak spider compass
- Dry bags (as many as you need)
- Water-resistant smartphone case
- Waterproof kayak jacket, hat, and neoprene gloves
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- Two-person dome tent (self-supporting)
- Sleeping bag, bed linen, and camping pillow
- Inflatable sleeping mat and foam mat
- Cooking stove including camping gas
- Cooking utensils (cutting board, knife, spatula, salt, pepper, oil, matches)
- Eating utensils (spork, glass, plate)
- Dishwashing kit (eco-friendly detergent, sponge, cloth)
- Sustainability kit (bin liner, garden spade, toilet paper)
- Torch and first aid kit
- Camping chairs
- Eco-friendly and locally produced saltwater soap, shampoo, conditioner, and mosquito repellent
- Fresh drinking water for the duration of the trip
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- Several changes of comfortable outdoor clothes (depending on the length of your tour)
- Shell layer: wind and waterproof jacket and trousers (kayak jacket and neoprene gloves are included)
- A warm jumper, light jacket, and hat in case the nights get chilly
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, and a water bottle
- Swimwear and a towel
- A power bank (or two) to charge your smartphone
- A book to read, a deck of cards, and any other personal items
- Sleep mask (it can be very light at night in the Swedish summer)
- Tick remover or tweezers
- A small amount of cash (approximately 50 SEK per person for island saunas)
- If you have not added the food package: food and snacks
⚠ Health note: We recommend all our guests to be vaccinated against TBE (Tick-Borne Encephalitis), as there is a prevalence of TBE among ticks in the Stockholm Archipelago.
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Head: A cap or hat for sun and rain protection.
Upper body: A lightweight t-shirt close to the body, plus a wind or rain jacket as needed. Heavy layers are rarely needed in summer.
Lower body: Shorts or swimwear. Your legs are well protected inside the kayak.
Feet: Barefoot or socks. Our rudder pedals do not work well with shoes.
Hands: Neoprene gloves are included and useful if you feel the cold, though often not necessary June to August.
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Fresh drinking water is not easy to find in the outer Stockholm Archipelago, so you need to bring enough with you. We provide 5-litre water containers (as many as you need) at the kayak centre before you set out.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend bringing 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day. For longer tours, there are a few places in the archipelago where you can refill. Our guides will mark these on your map during the introduction session.
Please bring your own small water bottle (0.5 to 1 litre) so you can stay hydrated while on the water.
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Sweden’s Right of Public Access (allemansrätten) is a statutory right that allows everyone to cross, stay, and wild camp in nature, even on privately owned land. It is one of the things that makes kayaking and wild camping in the Stockholm Archipelago so special.
However, the right comes with responsibilities. You must not damage the environment, disturb wildlife, or leave any trace that you have been there. The guiding principle is to travel invisibly: when you pack up and leave, nobody should be able to tell you were there.
- You may camp on most land, but not directly adjacent to houses or dwellings.
- Do not cut down trees, damage plants, or disturb animals.
- Take all your rubbish with you. Leave nothing behind that is not biodegradable.
- In nature reserves, additional rules may apply.
We cover the Right of Public Access in detail during the introduction session.
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With the right equipment, absolutely. Our camping gear is high quality and designed for comfort. The self-guided kayak expedition includes inflatable sleeping mats, comfortable sleeping bags, a roomy dome tent, a camping chair, and a camping pillow.
Falling asleep to the sound of gentle waves on a warm granite island, waking up to a sunrise over the Baltic, and cooking breakfast on a camping stove with the sea at your feet is something quite special.
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⚠ Important: The Kayak Trail strongly recommends that you do not light any fires while out kayaking with us. Use your camping stove for cooking instead.
During the Swedish summer it is often very dry, which increases the risk of wildfires. There are often regional fire bans spanning the archipelago, forbidding the use of open fires. These can be imposed at very short notice.
Starting a fire on bare rock is strictly forbidden. Fire cracks the granite permanently. If conditions allow a fire, it must be in a properly constructed fire pit, preferably on a sandy beach close to the water. Dismantle it completely before you leave.
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The Stockholm Archipelago has no tides, no ocean currents, and no large swells. The main thing to be aware of is the wind. Summer temperatures normally stay between 20 and 27°C.
Stay together. Keep your group close together on the water.
Have regular check-ins. Stop at agreed points to check if anyone is tired or needs food and water.
Crossing open water. Find the shortest distance, identify a landmark on the other side, gather the group, check for boats, and cross together.
Check the weather forecast. Check morning, midday, and evening. Always have a plan B. Recommended apps: SMHI and YR.
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Weather: SMHI or YR. The most reliable weather apps. YR has an English interface. Windy is good for detailed wind data.
Maps: Google Maps. Download offline maps. Our physical maps have QR codes linking to Google Maps.
Emergency: 112 SOS Alarm. Enable the location function. Swedish only but very simple to set up.
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Regular supermarkets sell up to 3.5% alcohol. Wine, spirits, and full-strength beer are only at Systembolaget (state monopoly). Limited hours, closed Sundays. If you wish to bring it, buy before arriving at the kayak centre. Must be 18+ to drink, 20+ to buy at Systembolaget.
⚠ Safety first: We strongly discourage drinking while on the water. Drink in moderation. Anyone under the influence will not be permitted to depart.
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Yes. Suitcases, backpacks, and anything you do not need during your trip can be stored in our lockable containers at the kayak centre, labelled with your name, and waiting for you when you return.
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Use the garden spade (included in your kit) to dig a small pit. Toilet paper is biodegradable and can be left in the pit. Fill it back in when done. In nature reserves, look out for outhouses (dry closets) at service stations. This is all part of the experience 😉 Travel invisibly!
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Yes. Recreational fishing with a hand-held rod is permitted throughout the Stockholm Archipelago under Sweden’s Right of Public Access. No fishing licence is required for this type of fishing.
The most common species you might catch in these brackish Baltic waters include perch (abborre), pike (gädda), and sea trout (havsöring). Perch is particularly abundant and a favourite among local anglers.
We do not have fishing gear for rent. We recommend visiting a local fishing shop in Stockholm beforehand, such as Söder Sportfiske near Slussen. Specific fishing restrictions may apply in nature reserves and in Nämdöskärgården National Park.
Söder sportfiske: https://share.google/53MzeuqFqS2jwYv5E
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The pick-up point is centrally located at Hotel Downtown Camper by Scandic, Brunkebergstorg 9, 111 51 Stockholm, right in the heart of the city.
We pick you up at 09:15 on your day of departure and will have you back by 17:00 at the latest on your final day. For individual preferences, please reach out and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago is a wonderful family activity, and depending on the age of your children, we will recommend different routes and set-ups. The only strict rule we have is that every participant must be able to swim. In Sweden, this is defined as 200 metres in open water, unaided.
Please reach out to us for a chat, and we will be happy to help you plan a family-friendly trip.
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It can be, but it depends on your previous kayaking experience and the size and temperament of your dog. Please reach out to us to discuss before booking, and we will advise you on whether it is a good fit and how to make it work.
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If you are not used to the archipelago nature, it can be a little bit confusing from time to time, but not to worry, we will do our best to prepare you 🙂 . You will receive a physical map with a route suggestion and recommended wild camping spots marked specifically for your trip. During the introduction session, we will also show you how to open our map in Google Maps on your smartphone, so you can see the suggested route, your live location, and the map all at once.
Between the physical map, the digital map, and the kayak compass, you will have everything you need to navigate confidently through the archipelago. And if you do get turned around among the many small islands, our 24/7 guide phone is always just a call away.