Frequently Asked Questions

You need no prior kayaking experience to do this trip. Our double kayaks are incredibly stable and well suited for beginners and intermediates, while singles require more skill since they can roll over. There are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about in Saint Anna. Windy conditions will be our biggest hurdle and we choose routes in the inner and middle archipelago if it’s very windy. We also have the option to stay put and wait out windy or rainy weather rather than battling the seas.

You need no prior kayaking experience to do this trip, just a little bit of guts and common sense. Double kayaks are incredibly stable and well suited for beginners and intermediates, while singles require more skill since they can roll over. There are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about in Saint Anna. Windy conditions will be your biggest hurdle and you do need to be sensible and realise your limitations. Choose routes in the inner and middle archipelago if it’s very windy. You also have the option to stay put and wait out windy weather rather than battling the seas.

Absolutely! This is an intro to Nordic skiing. Although many participants probably have experience downhill skiing, those skills have no bearing on what we’ll be doing. Pretty much everyone in the group are as new to tour skiing as you are. We do challenge ourselves, but we keep it on a level so that everyone feels comfortable. ‍

You need no prior kayaking experience to do this trip. Our double kayaks are incredibly stable and well suited for beginners and intermediates, while singles require more skill since they can roll over. There are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about in Saint Anna. Windy conditions will be our biggest hurdle and we choose routes in the inner and middle archipelago if it’s very windy. We also have the option to stay put and wait out windy or rainy weather rather than battling the seas.

Yes, absolutely. This self-guided kayak trip in Sweden is a great fit for beginners – as long as you can swim, have a bit of common sense, and are happy being outdoors in changing weather.

You don’t need any previous kayaking experience. Before you set off, we give you a thorough 2.5–3 hour briefing covering paddling technique, navigation, weather, camping, safety and how to plan your route. Beginners and intermediates use stable double kayaks, which are very difficult to capsize and well suited for multi-day trips with food and camping gear. Narrow single kayaks are only for experienced paddlers.

Saint Anna is one of the best places in Sweden for a first sea kayaking expedition. The archipelago is made up of thousands of islands, so you can choose sheltered routes through narrow passages and calm waters instead of heading into more open areas. There are no tides, no currents and no big ocean swell to worry about. Conditions are usually very manageable, and if it gets breezy, you can simply adapt your route.

You’re self-guided, but not just sent off into the wild and wished good luck. We give you a detailed sea chart and guidebook, a mobile phone for support, and we send you the weather forecast every morning. If the weather is less suitable for heading further out, you can stay in the more sheltered inner and middle archipelago, take a shorter day, or enjoy a slower morning at camp.

So yes – this trip is beginner-friendly. But it’s still a real wilderness adventure. You’ll be navigating, choosing camp spots, cooking outdoors and making sensible decisions about weather and distance. That’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.

The trip includes everything you need for a self-guided kayak expedition, except food and personal clothing.

We provide all kayaking equipment: kayak, paddle, spraydeck, life vest, water-repellent paddle jacket, dry bags, bilge pump, first aid kit, deck compass, hand compass, sea chart and guidebook. For beginners and intermediates, we use stable double kayaks that are well suited for longer trips with camping gear and food.

All camping and cooking gear is included too: Hilleberg tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, pillow, camping chair, Trangia stove with fuel, cooler bag, water bottles and canteens, headlamp, tarp, cooking utensils, eating utensils, dishwashing kit and other useful camp equipment.

Before you set off, you get a thorough 2.5–3 hour briefing covering paddling technique, navigation, weather, safety, route planning, camping and how to use the equipment. During the trip, we send you daily weather reports and provide a basic mobile phone so you can reach us if you need advice or support.

Transport is also included. We pick you up in Norrköping on your first day and drop you back there after the trip. You also have four end points to choose from, and you don’t need to decide which one until your last evening. This means you can keep your route flexible, adapt to your pace, and avoid backtracking to where you started. We also store any luggage you don’t want to bring kayaking and bring it to your final pickup point.

Food is not included in the tour price, but you order everything in advance through your personal Trip Planner. You pay supermarket cost price, and we shop, pack and organise it for you before departure.

So in short: we provide the gear, briefing, weather support, transport and flexible pickup logistics – you bring your clothes, personal items and a sense of adventure

The weather in the archipelago changes often, so you should be prepared for a bit of everything: sunshine, calm water, clouds, breezy afternoons and sometimes rain. That’s part of the experience – and also why good gear and flexible route planning matter.

Paddling conditions in Saint Anna are generally very beginner-friendly. It’s more like paddling on a large lake than on the open sea. There are no tides, no strong currents and no big ocean swell, because the many islands break up the wind and waves. The water can get choppy when it’s breezy, but you can usually choose more sheltered routes between the islands.

Wind is the main thing that affects your day. Paddling with a tailwind can feel easy, while paddling into a headwind can be slower and more effortful. The wind direction often matters more than the wind strength itself. During your briefing, we’ll teach you how to plan routes using the sheltered side of the islands, and during the trip we send you today’s and tomorrow’s weather forecast every morning.

The area has three different zones. The inner archipelago, closer to the mainland, has larger forested islands and narrow passages, so it’s usually the most sheltered. The middle archipelago has clusters of smaller islands with wider straits, giving you a good mix of shelter and open views. The outer archipelago is made up of tiny barren skerries closer to the open sea, and is much more exposed – wonderful in calm weather, but best avoided in stronger winds.

Summer temperatures vary a lot. A typical day might be warm and sunny, around 20–26°C, but you can also get cooler rainy days around 17°C or hot days above 30°C. Rain usually passes fairly quickly, and we provide a water- and wind-resistant paddle jacket plus a spraydeck to keep you comfortable in the kayak.

Yes. This guided kayak trip is very suitable for first-time kayakers. You don’t need any previous paddling skills, and most guests join with little or no kayaking experience.

We normally paddle in stable double kayaks, which are ideal for beginners and multi-day trips. They’re steady, efficient and have plenty of space for food and camping gear. Your guides will show us the basics before we set off: how to paddle, steer, get in and out, and work together in the kayak.

If you’re an experienced paddler and prefer a single kayak, you can request one ahead of time. Our regular singles are slim and require good balance and paddling skills, so we only provide them to guests with solid kayaking experience.

Saint Anna is a great place to learn. The archipelago is sheltered, with thousands of islands breaking up the wind and waves. There are no tides, no strong currents and no big ocean swell to think about. We decide the route together as a group, with your guides helping shape the plan around the weather, the group’s energy and what everyone feels excited to explore.

This is still an outdoor adventure, of course. We’ll be paddling, camping on wild islands and spending several days in nature. But you don’t need to navigate, read forecasts or figure everything out on your own – your guides are there to keep things flowing, safe and fun.

So yes – bring swim ability, curiosity and a willingness to be outdoors and learn new things. We’ll take care of the rest.

This is a complete 5-day guided kayak adventure, with almost everything included from start to finish.

We provide all kayaking equipment: kayak, paddle, spraydeck, life vest, paddle jacket and the safety gear needed for the trip. Beginners and intermediates paddle stable double kayaks, while experienced paddlers can request a single kayak ahead of time.

All camping gear is included too. You get a Hilleberg solo tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, pillow and camping chair – a proper comfort upgrade for wild camping. If you’re travelling as a couple or with a friend and prefer to share, we can provide a double tent instead.

Food is included throughout the trip: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We cook proper wilderness meals with fresh ingredients and lots of flavour, and everyone helps out a bit with camp life, cooking and dishes.

You also get two experienced and fun kayaking guides who lead the trip, teach paddling basics, help with camp routines, keep an eye on the weather, shape the route with the group and make sure everything runs safely and smoothly.

Return transfer is included from Norrköping to Saint Anna and back again. We pick you up in Norrköping at 10:00 on the first day and drop you back there by 17:00 on the last day.

So in short: kayaks, guides, camping gear, meals, transfer and support are all included. You bring your personal clothing, toiletries and whatever little extras you want for five days outdoors.

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The archipelago gives us a lovely mix of conditions over five days. We may get calm sunny mornings, breezy afternoons, mirror-still evenings, clouds and a bit of rain. That variety is part of being outdoors – and your guides shape the route around it as we go.

Saint Anna is a very good area for guided sea kayaking because the water is well protected. There are no tides, no strong currents and no big ocean swell. Instead, we paddle among thousands of islands that break up the wind and waves, so conditions are much more manageable than on an open coast.

If the weather is calm, we may head further out towards the outer skerries, where the landscape feels wide open and dramatic. If it’s breezier, we stay in the inner and middle archipelago, where larger islands and narrow passages give us much more shelter.

Summer weather varies quite a bit. A typical day is often around 20–26°C, but it can be cooler and rainy, or occasionally hot and sunny above 30°C. Rain usually passes fairly quickly, and we bring proper gear so camp life and paddling stay comfortable.

So in short: expect changing weather, but not extreme sea conditions. Your guides keep an eye on the forecast, the group and the route, so we can make the most of the conditions each day.

We are allowed to camp wherever we like in the entire area. In Sweden we have something called “the Right of Public Access”, which among other things mean that you can camp anywhere, except too close to dwellings. We need to be very respectful to the area and leave absolutely nothing behind when we leave. We’ll barely see another soul, except at some points of interest, and we can always find our very own island for camping.

Our free-standing Hilleberg tents are super easy to put up. Camp either on the flat rocks or in the forest, your choice! We use the brackish sea water for bathing and doing dishes. Your ”toilet” is a shovel and a hole in the forest.

You can camp wherever you like in the entire area. In Sweden we have something called “the Right of Public Access”, which among other things mean that you can camp anywhere, except too close to dwellings. You need to be very  respectful to the area and leave absolutely nothing behind when you leave. You’ll barely see another soul, except at some points of interest, and you can always find your very own island for camping.

Our free-standing Hilleberg tents are super easy to put up. Camp either on the flat rocks or in the forest, your choice! You use the brackish sea water for bathing and doing dishes. Your ”toilet” is a shovel and a hole in the forest.

The expedition can be pretty strenuous at times, both the skiing part and building the camp, so a moderate level of fitness is required. If you can go hiking in varying altitudes for a few hours, you are fit enough to do this tour. ‍

We are allowed to camp wherever we like in the entire area. In Sweden we have something called “the Right of Public Access”, which among other things mean that you can camp anywhere, except too close to dwellings. We need to be very respectful to the area and leave absolutely nothing behind when we leave.

Our free-standing Hilleberg tents are super easy to put up. Camp either on the flat rocks or in the forest, your choice! We use the brackish sea water for bathing and doing dishes. Your ”toilet” is a shovel and a hole in the forest.

A self-guided kayak expedition means you paddle, navigate and camp independently – but we take care of the tricky logistics and stay available for support throughout the trip.

You start in Norrköping, where we pick you up at the train station or your accommodation and drive you to our launch in Saint Anna. When you arrive, all your kayaking and camping gear is ready, and your pre-ordered food has been shopped and packed for you. Before you set off, your instructor gives you a thorough 2.5–3 hour briefing covering paddling technique, safety, navigation, weather, camping routines and how to use the sea chart and guidebook.

Once you’re on the water, the trip is your own. You choose where to paddle, how far to go each day, which points of interest to visit, and which island to make your home for the night. Saint Anna is ideal for this kind of freedom: with thousands of islands close together, you can adapt your route as you go, finding sheltered passages in breezier weather or heading further out when conditions are calm.

You’re self-guided, but not unsupported. We provide a mobile phone for support, and each morning we send you the weather forecast for today and tomorrow. If you need advice, have a practical problem, or just want reassurance about your route, we’re only a phone call away.

You also don’t need to follow a fixed route or return to the same place you started. There are four pickup points, and you only need to let us know where to collect you the evening before your last day. That way, your route can follow the weather, your energy and whatever catches your curiosity along the way.

So in short: we prepare you, equip you and support you – then you get the freedom of a real kayaking and wild camping adventure on your own terms.

You don’t need to bring any specialist gear – we provide the kayaks, camping equipment, cooking gear, dry bags, life vests and paddle jackets. What you need to bring is mainly personal clothing and toiletries.

For paddling, bring comfortable clothes that can get a little wet: a short or long-sleeved top, shorts or quick-dry trousers you can roll up, and neoprene shoes or strap-on sandals for getting in and out of the kayak. The rocks can be slippery, and you’ll step into shallow water when launching and landing. Also bring a sun cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.

For camp life, pack normal outdoor clothes: trousers, long-sleeved tops, shorts, t-shirts, a warm sweater, a light jacket, rain clothes, covered shoes, swimsuit, towel and toiletries.

If you’re joining in May, June or September, bring a few warmer layers too: long johns, a beanie, gloves and preferably a light down jacket or similar warm layer. Even when the days are mild, mornings and evenings can feel chilly by the water.

You’ll repack your personal items into our dry bags before departure, and we’ll store your luggage safely while you’re kayaking. Anything you don’t want to bring on the water will be brought to your end point on the last day.

Wild camping means you choose your own island, set up camp in nature, and leave it exactly as you found it.

There are no facilities whatsoever – no toilets, showers, running water, picnic tables or designated pitches. That’s the whole point. You’re camping in the wild, on your own little island, surrounded by sea, rocks, forest and sky.

In Sweden, the Right of Public Access allows you to camp in the wild, as long as you do it responsibly. In Saint Anna, that means you can paddle until you find a beautiful island that suits you for the night – maybe flat rocks by the water, a sheltered spot in the forest, or a little bay with a sunset view. You don’t need to use designated campsites.

We provide all the camping gear you need, including Hilleberg tents, sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, pillows, camping chairs, stove, cooking gear, water canteens and dry bags. The tents are free-standing and easy to pitch, whether you choose flat rocks or softer ground.

Camp life is simple, but very comfortable by wilderness standards. You cook your meals on a Trangia stove, use the brackish sea water for washing dishes and bathing, and enjoy your island for the night. Your toilet is a spade and a hole in the forest – we’ll explain exactly how to do this properly during the briefing.

The main rule is: don’t disturb and don’t destroy. Don’t leave any rubbish, respect bird sanctuaries and wildlife, and leave no trace when you paddle away in the morning.

Fires are restricted. We don’t allow fires in July or August. In June and September, fires are only allowed in the provided pop-up grills, and only if there is no fire ban. Fires directly on the ground or on the rocks are never allowed.

So in short: wild camping is one of the best parts of the trip – your own island, your own camp, and total freedom, as long as you treat the archipelago with care and respect.

Yes – the whole area generally has cell phone reception.

It can be a bit spotty in a few specific places, but if you don’t have signal you usually only need to move a few minutes on land or on the water to find reception again.

For self-guided trips, we provide a basic mobile phone so you can reach us if you need advice or support. You’ll also receive today’s and tomorrow’s weather forecast every morning, which helps you plan your route around wind and conditions.

Reception also means you can use your own phone to double-check your position if you want a bit of reassurance while navigating. It’s not something you need to rely on – we’ll teach you how to use the sea chart and compass – but it’s nice to have for peace of mind.

Saint Anna & Gryt are especially good for birdlife. The archipelago has forested islands, shallow bays, rocky skerries, shore meadows and outer islets, so you pass through lots of different habitats as you paddle.

One of the real highlights is the White-tailed eagle. They nest in the large old trees of the inner and middle archipelago, and sightings are very common. You may also see Grey herons, swans, Great cormorants, Ospreys, and lots of different ducks, gulls, terns and waders.

The outer archipelago is particularly rich in coastal birds. Earlier in summer, many are nesting on the barren islets, including species like Oystercatchers, Ruddy turnstones, gulls and terns. Some areas are protected bird sanctuaries during nesting season, and these are marked on your sea chart. You must keep your distance and never land there during the protected period.

You may also spot Grey seals, especially further out towards the open sea. Often you’ll just see a curious head bobbing above the surface, watching you from a distance

On land, there are no large dangerous animals to worry about. You might come across sheep or cows grazing on some islands, and occasionally a water snake or adder, but they keep to themselves. Ticks can occur in high grass, so it’s best to avoid walking through that kind of vegetation or wear long trousers tucked into your socks.

So in short: expect lots of birds, a good chance of White-tailed eagles, possible seal sightings in the outer archipelago, and a wonderfully wild but low-hazard natural environment.

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A guided kayak expedition means we paddle, camp and explore together as a small group, with your guides helping everything run smoothly.

We start in Norrköping, where we pick you up at the train station or your accommodation and drive to our launch in Saint Anna. At the launch, all kayaking gear, camping equipment and food are ready. We repack personal belongings into dry bags, go through the equipment, pack the kayaks and start with the basics of paddling and camp life.

Once we’re on the water, the trip becomes our shared adventure. We paddle through the maze of islands, choose beautiful places for lunch and breaks, and find a wild island to camp on each night. We cook together, set up camp together, swim, explore, spot wildlife and settle into the rhythm of archipelago life.

There’s no fixed route. We decide where to go as a group, with your guides shaping the route around the weather, the group’s energy and what everyone feels excited to do. Some days we might head further out towards the wild skerries, visit a fishing village or lookout, or take an evening paddle into the sunset. Other days we might choose a shorter route, a long swim stop or a lazy evening on the rocks.

Your guides handle the navigation, weather decisions, safety, camp routines and overall flow of the trip. But if you’re keen to learn, you’re very welcome to help with navigation too. Reading the sea chart and matching it with the islands around us can be a really fun part of the adventure.

This isn’t a catered tour where everything happens around you – we’re in it together. Everyone helps out a bit and shares in decision-making, and that’s a big part of what makes the trip so fun.

So in short: your guides support and keep things safe, smooth and fun, while we create the adventure together as a small kayaking crew.

You don’t need to bring any specialist kayaking or camping gear – we provide the kayaks, life vests, tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows, chairs, cooking gear and safety equipment. What you need to pack is mainly personal clothing and toiletries.

For paddling, bring clothes that are comfortable and can get a little wet: a short or long-sleeved top, shorts or quick-dry trousers you can roll up, and neoprene shoes or strap-on sandals for getting in and out of the kayak. The rocks can be slippery, and we often step into shallow water when launching and landing.

Bring a light jacket for paddling that handles wind and lighter rain. Also pack rain clothing for land, so you can stay comfortable around camp if we get wet weather.

For camp, pack normal outdoor clothing: trousers, long-sleeved tops, shorts, t-shirts, a warm sweater, swimsuit and towel. Covered shoes, such as trainers or light trekking shoes, are also really nice to have at camp when walking around on rocks, paths or in the forest. A sun cap, sunglasses, sunscreen and a power bank for your phone are also good to bring.

We provide mosquito repellent, shampoo and body wash, so you don’t need to pack those unless you prefer your own.

If you’re joining in June or September, bring a few warmer layers too: long johns, a beanie, gloves and preferably a light down jacket or similar warm layer. Even when the days are mild, mornings and evenings can feel chilly by the water.

Before we launch, you’ll repack your personal items into dry bags. Anything you don’t want to bring kayaking can be left with us, and we’ll bring it to the end point on the last day.

No – there’s no fixed route for the guided trip.

We have a rough plan and lots of favourite areas, but the exact route depends on the weather, the group’s energy and what we feel like doing together. Some days we may head further out towards the outer skerries, visit a lookout or fishing village, or take an evening paddle in calm conditions. Other days we may choose a shorter route, a long swim stop or a relaxed afternoon at camp.

We really like to keep our trips open for plenty of spontaneity. Each departure becomes its own little adventure – shaped by the group, the weather, the islands we discover and the moments that happen along the way.

Your guides know the area very well and help shape the route as we go. We also have four end points to choose from, which means we don’t have to paddle a loop or return to where we started.

So in short: no set itinerary. We decide as a group, adapt to the conditions and make the trip our own.

We cook up yummy proper food! One of the many amazing things about kayaking is that you don’t need to be very restrictive in what you bring along. We think cooking and eating well is a wonderful part of a nature adventure. Our wilderness chef has developed the menu. Lots of fresh ingredients and lots of flavour!

We give you a basic cell phone and the whole area has reception. If something happens civilisation is only a phone call away. You can be reached by boat taxi or the coast guard in 30 minutes or so. Luckily accidents are very rare in the archipelago (we’ve only had to call the coast guard once in 20 years,  allergic chock from a hornet bite). If any problems occur (for example broken equipment, minor medical problems) we will assist you either by boat taxi, our boat or kayak.

It can be anywhere from a couple of degrees above zero to 25 below, but usually around -5 to -15. Our gear and clothing are adapted to handle colder temps than we will experience.

We’re afraid that on this particular trip, we usually can’t. It’s because we cook such advanced and time-consuming dishes that have been created around the local proteins available. We always want any dietary alternatives to be just as good as the original, and it’s just not possible on this trip. We do not cater to vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian/gluten-free diets, but we can usually cater to lactose-free and some allergies (but not all). Send us a message! If you do have a requirement that we cannot cater to on this tour, we recommend checking out our Guided Kayak Adventure instead.

Yes – Saint Anna is a very safe and beginner-friendly area for sea kayaking, as long as you respect the weather and make sensible route choices.

The archipelago is much more sheltered than an open-coast paddling area. There are no tides, no strong currents and no big ocean swell to plan around. Instead, you paddle through a maze of islands, skerries and narrow passages, which means you can usually choose a route that suits the conditions. If it’s calm, you can head further out toward the outer archipelago. If it’s breezy, you stay in the more protected inner and middle zones, where larger forested islands break up the wind and waves.

That said, it’s still a real outdoor adventure. The main safety factor is wind. Paddling into a headwind can be tiring, and the outer skerries are much more exposed than the sheltered inner archipelago. We cover this carefully during your briefing, help you understand the forecast, and send you today’s and tomorrow’s weather report every morning. Sometimes the best decision is simply to take a shorter route, stay close to the sheltered side of the islands, or enjoy a slower day at camp.

You’re also well equipped. We provide stable kayaks, life vests, paddle jackets, spraydecks, sea chart, compass, first aid kit, bilge pump, dry bags and a basic mobile phone for support. The self-guided trip includes a 2.5–3 hour briefing before departure, covering paddling technique, navigation, safety, camping and route planning. The whole area has mobile reception, and in an emergency you call 112, Sweden’s emergency number.

Accidents are very rare here. In 20 years, we’ve only had to call the coast guard once, for an allergic reaction to a hornet sting. Most problems, if they happen at all, are small and practical: broken equipment, minor medical issues, or guests wanting advice on wind and route choice. In those cases, we can assist by phone and, when needed, arrange help by boat taxi, our boat or kayak.

So yes, sea kayaking in Saint Anna is safe for beginners – not because nothing can ever happen, but because the area is sheltered, the risks are manageable, and you have the gear, briefing and support to make good decisions along the way.

Getting here from Stockholm is very easy. Take the train from Stockholm Central or Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Norrköping, and we’ll pick you up there on the first morning of your trip.

The train journey takes around 1.5 hours from Stockholm Central and around 2 hours from Arlanda Airport. We pick you up at 10:00 from Norrköping train station, or from any hotel, hostel or Airbnb in Norrköping. You can either travel down from Stockholm the same morning, or arrive the day before and spend a night in Norrköping.

On your last day, we guarantee to drop you back in Norrköping by 17:00 at the latest, so you can book any train departing from 17:00 onwards.

Check out SJ for train tickets. Best is to download the app, then you have your tickets ready to go in your phone.

You go to the bathroom the old-school wilderness way: with a small spade and a hole in the forest.

We provide the spade, and during the briefing we explain exactly how to do it properly. Choose a discreet spot well away from camp, paths, water and any place where others might land or spend time. Dig a small hole, do your thing, and bury everything properly afterwards, including toilet paper.

There are no toilets or facilities when you’re wild camping on the islands, so this is simply part of the experience. It may feel a little unfamiliar at first, but most people get used to it very quickly.

The important thing is to be respectful and leave no trace. Camp spots in the archipelago are beautifully clean and wild, and we want to keep them that way for the next paddlers and the wildlife.

Water temperatures vary quite a bit from year to year, depending on the weather leading up to your trip. A couple of warm weeks can heat the water nicely – Nordic style, of course, not Mediterranean style.

As a rough guide:

Early June: around 14–19°C
Late June to mid August: around 19–24°C
Late August to early September: around 19–22°C
Late September: around 14–19°C

Most guests find the water swimmable from late June through early September, especially on warm sunny days. Earlier and later in the season, it can still be lovely for a quick dip, but it’s definitely fresher.

The Baltic Sea around Saint Anna is brackish, so it’s only lightly salty and feels much fresher than ocean water. After a day of paddling, a swim from your own camp island is one of the absolute best parts of the trip.

Yes. Saint Anna is a safe and beginner-friendly area for sea kayaking, especially with experienced guides along.

The archipelago is much more sheltered than an open-coast paddling area. There are no tides, no strong currents and no big ocean swell to plan around. Instead, we paddle through a maze of islands, skerries and narrow passages, where there are plenty of route options and natural shelter.

The main thing we adapt to is the weather, especially wind. If conditions are calm, we might head further out towards the outer skerries. If it’s breezier, we stay in the more protected inner and middle archipelago, where larger islands and narrower passages break up the wind and waves.

Your guides keep a close eye on the forecast, the group and the conditions throughout the trip. They choose routes that feel safe and enjoyable, help with paddling technique, and make the call if we need to shorten a day, stay sheltered or wait for better conditions.

We also use stable kayaks and provide life vests, paddle jackets, spraydecks, first aid kit, safety equipment and communication. The whole area has cell phone reception, and in a serious emergency we can call 112, Sweden’s emergency number.

So yes – sea kayaking in Saint Anna is safe, not because nature is completely predictable, but because the area is sheltered, the risks are manageable, and your guides are there to make good decisions along the way.

Yes. Food is included throughout the guided trip: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

We cook proper food with fresh ingredients and lots of flavour. One of the great things about kayaking is that we can bring much nicer food than you might expect on a wilderness trip – there’s room in the kayaks for fresh vegetables, good lunches, hearty dinners and treats for camp.

Your guides take care of the overall food plan, but this isn’t a catered affair where you sit back and wait to be served. We cook together, help with chopping, washing up and camp routines, and make mealtimes part of the group experience.

So in short: yes, meals are included – and eating well is a big part of the adventure.

It varies depending on the weather, the group and what we feel like doing that day, but we usually paddle around 10–14 km per day.

In a double kayak, a fairly relaxed pace is around 3–4 km per hour, and we take plenty of breaks along the way – for lunch, swims, island walks, points of interest and just hanging out on the rocks for a while.

Some days may be shorter and more relaxed, especially if we find a beautiful camp spot early or want to spend more time exploring on land. Other days we may cover more distance if conditions are good and the group is keen.

Your guides keep an eye on how everyone is doing and adapt the pace and route as we go. This isn’t about racing through the archipelago – it’s about finding a good rhythm together.

So in short: 10–14 km per day is typical, but the distance depends on the group, the weather and the kind of day we want to have.

Absolutely! Just let us know and we’ll make just as yummy alternatives for you.

There are no tides whatsoever in Saint Anna. The sea level stays the same, which means no time tables to consider and no transporting kayak and gear from the waterline. Also, there are no big swells since all the islands break up waves into choppy water.

It’s a fantastic part of the experience! The sauna is right by the water. You’ll lather up in there, use a ladder to go down for a very quick plunge, and then right back into the warmth. It’s really invigorating and many even experience a kind of addictive ”high” afterwards. Most guests actually love it!

Since we spend a lot of time on cooking, foraging and hanging out, we only go for shorter kayaking trips, appr. 2.5-3 hours each day.

It depends on the day, most days around 3-3.5 hours, but when we go to Aspöja and back to our base camp it's more like 4-5 hours.

It depends on the day! We spend a lot of time on the water and in different spots on land, but it's not straight up paddling as we spend most of our time taking photos. Effective paddling, appr. 2.5-3.5 hours per day.

It depends on the day! We spend a lot of time on the water, but it's not straight up paddling as we spend most of our time spotting wildlife. Effective paddling, appr. 3–4 hours per day.

You don’t need to be fit to go sea kayaking. Kayaks are surprisingly quick with just a little effort. If you are paddling against strong winds, it can be pretty strenuous however. It can often be avoided, but not always. Your guides are continuously feeling out how everyone is doing and adapt the tempo and route accordingly. On this tour in particular, we don't paddle very long distances and take it very easy.

You don’t need to be particularly fit to do this trip. As long as you’re reasonably healthy and happy being outdoors, you’ll be fine.

Kayaking is surprisingly efficient, and you decide your own pace and how far you want to paddle each day. You don’t need to cover long distances unless you want to. Most guests paddle around 6–18 km per day, but that includes plenty of breaks, lunch stops, swims, exploring islands and visiting points of interest. In a double kayak, a fairly relaxed pace is usually around 3–4 km per hour.

Some days may be a little breezier than others, which can make paddling feel slower or more effortful. Luckily, Saint Anna gives you a lot of flexibility. With thousands of islands close together, you can often choose a more sheltered route, stay close to the islands, plan a shorter day, or enjoy a slower morning at camp.

The trip does involve normal outdoor activity: getting in and out of the kayak, carrying gear short distances, setting up camp, walking on rocks and managing camp life. You don’t need to be athletic, but you should be comfortable moving around in nature and spending several days outdoors.

We list a 120 kg weight limit, but it isn’t set in stone and it isn’t really about the kayak’s carrying capacity. It’s mainly about whether you can sit comfortably in the kayak cockpit. Body shape and height make a big difference here – for example, if you’re very tall, it may be absolutely fine to be above the listed limit. Just get in touch with us before booking so we can advise you properly.

In short: this is not a fitness challenge. Take your time, choose sensible routes, and paddle at your own pace.

The trip starts in Norrköping, where we pick you up at 10:00 on your first day – either at the train station or from any hotel, hostel or Airbnb in town. From there, we drive you to our launch in the Saint Anna Archipelago where you’ll get your gear, food, kayaks and full briefing before setting off.

The trip doesn’t have one fixed end point. You have four pickup points to choose from, spread through the Saint Anna & Gryt archipelagos. You don’t need to decide where you’ll finish until the evening before your last day, which gives you lots of flexibility to adapt your route to your pace and what you feel like exploring.

That means you don’t have to paddle a loop or backtrack to where you started. You can travel through the archipelago and finish at whichever pickup point makes most sense for your route.

On your last day, we pick you up from your chosen end point and drive you back to Norrköping, where we guarantee drop-off by 17:00 at the latest.

You use the brackish sea water for both bathing and washing dishes.

For washing yourself, it’s very simple: swim, rinse off in the sea, or have a quick wash by the water. The Baltic Sea around Saint Anna is brackish, meaning it’s only lightly salty, so it feels much fresher than ocean water.

Biodegradable shampoo and body wash made for salt water is available in the food order.

For dishes, you also use sea water. We provide a dishwashing kit and biodegradable dish soap, and during the briefing we’ll explain the best way to wash up without leaving food scraps or mess behind. Scrape plates and pans properly first, use as little soap as possible, and make sure no food waste is left at camp or in the water.

The main thing is to keep it simple and respectful: don’t leave scraps behind and leave your island just as clean as you found it.

You don’t need to be very fit to join this trip. A normal, active everyday fitness level is enough, and the tour is listed as low/medium fitness.

Kayaks are surprisingly efficient, especially the stable double kayaks we use for most guests. You can cover a fair distance with steady, relaxed paddling, and we take plenty of breaks for lunch, swims, island walks and points of interest along the way.

Some days are easier than others, depending on weather and how far we decide to go. If we’re paddling into a headwind, it can feel more tiring, but your guides continuously check how everyone is doing and adapt the pace, distance and route to the group.

This isn’t about being the strongest paddler. It’s about team effort, helping each other out, and enjoying the adventure together. If there are some really keen kayakers in the group, one of your guides may take them for an extra paddle once we’ve found a good camp spot.

So in short: you don’t need to train for this trip. You just need to be able to swim, be reasonably healthy, and feel comfortable spending several active days outdoors.

Absolutely. Just let us know about any dietary requirements when booking, and we’ll sort it out.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and most common allergies are no problem at all. We put a lot of care into the food on our trips, and alternative meals should feel just as proper, tasty and satisfying as everything else.

So in short: yes – we’re happy to adapt the menu so everyone can eat well out in the archipelago.

No – there are no tides or strong currents to worry about in Saint Anna Archipelago.

That makes the area very well suited for guided sea kayaking. We don’t need to plan around tide tables, changing water levels or moving water, and we don’t have to carry kayaks and gear up and down a tidal shore.

There are also no big ocean swells. The thousands of islands break up the wind and waves, so when it gets breezy the water becomes choppy rather than swell-like.

The main thing we plan around is wind. A tailwind can make paddling feel easy, while a headwind can make progress slower. Your guides help choose routes that make sense for the day, using sheltered passages and the lee side of the islands when needed.

You don’t need to be fit to go sea kayaking. It’s easy and you completely decide your own pace and how much distance to cover. Kayaks are surprisingly quick with just a little effort. If you are paddling against strong winds, it can be pretty strenuous however. It can often be avoided, but not always. We’ll teach some tricks to avoid the wind as well as basic paddling technique.

We have a large charging station in the van where you can charge your phone/battery packs. The reception is spotty, but you can get decent signal by the front door. During the camping expedition, reception is spotty and we have a satellite phone in case of emergency.

You don’t need to be fit to go sea kayaking. Kayaks are surprisingly quick with just a little effort. If you are paddling against strong winds, it can be pretty strenuous however. It can often be avoided, but not always. Your guides are continuously feeling out how everyone is doing and adapt the tempo and route accordingly.

For the best experience, we usually recommend at least 5 days.

That gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of the archipelago: paddling for a few hours, stopping for lunch on a sunny rock, exploring a village or lookout, finding a beautiful island for camp, and not feeling rushed if you decide to take a shorter day.

The Saint Anna & Gryt archipelagos are perfect for a flexible multi-day route. The area is big enough to explore for much longer, but compact enough that in 5–6 days you can experience a lovely mix of sheltered inner passages, lush middle archipelago islands and, if conditions are calm, the wild outer skerries closer to the open sea.

A shorter trip can still be wonderful, but the self-guided expedition is really best when you have 5 days or more. You’ll have time to visit points of interest, take a few detours and build in a bit of flexibility without needing to rush through the experience.

If you’re short on time, have a look at our Kayaking Short-Break instead. It’s a 4-day trip designed to give you a proper taste of kayaking, wild camping and the Saint Anna Archipelago without needing a full week.

If you have the time and really want to sink into the wilderness feeling, 7 or 8 days is fantastic. You can paddle more slowly, take detours, spend an extra night on a favourite island and explore both Saint Anna and Gryt more deeply.

So in short: 5–6 days is the sweet spot for most people. Choose 7–8 days if you want a slower, deeper adventure, and choose our Kayaking Short-Break if 4 days is all you can fit in.

Yes. You can drive directly to our launch in Saint Anna instead of using the transfer from Norrköping.

If you’re coming by car, we meet you at the launch at 11:15 on your first day. There is safe parking available while you’re out kayaking.

The easiest route is to aim for Söderköping, then take road 210 following signs for S:t Anna. After you pass the bridge Lagnöbron, continue for about 500 metres and turn left by the sign for Mons Skärgårdsby. From there it’s another 5–7 minutes before turning onto the small gravel road down to the water.

Please follow our directions rather than simply looking up Do the North on Google Maps – that will take you to our base, not the kayak launch.

If you drive to the launch and also opt out of our food ordering service – meaning you shop and bring all your own food – you’ll receive a 1,000 SEK per person discount.

You’ll still have the same flexible trip setup with several possible end points. We’ll arrange the practical details so you can finish at your chosen pickup point and get back to your car.

No – please don’t worry about that. This trip is about team effort, not racing from island to island.

Your guides are very good at reading the group and setting a pace that feels comfortable. We take plenty of breaks, stop for lunch, swims and little island explorations, and adapt the route as we go. Some days we paddle a bit further, some days we take it easier.

If a few people in the group are extra keen to paddle more, we can often make that work too. Once we’ve found a good camp spot, one of your guides may take the more energetic paddlers out for an extra loop, while the rest of us stay at camp, swim, relax or start dinner.

So no – you won’t be expected to keep up with a fixed pace. We paddle as a group, help each other out, and make the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Getting here from Stockholm is very easy. Take the train from Stockholm Central or Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Norrköping, and we’ll pick you up there on the first morning of your trip.

The train journey takes around 1.5 hours from Stockholm Central and around 2 hours from Arlanda Airport. We pick you up at 10:00 from Norrköping train station, or from any hotel, hostel or Airbnb in Norrköping. You can either travel down from Stockholm the same morning, or arrive the day before and spend a night in Norrköping.

Check SJ for trains. Best is to download the SJ app, then you have your tickets ready to go in your phone.

On the last day, we drop you back in Norrköping by 17:00 at the latest, so you can book any train departing from 17:00 onwards.

If the weather isn’t ideal for paddling, we adapt. That might mean choosing a shorter route, staying in more sheltered waters, taking a slower morning at camp, or waiting for conditions to improve before we head out.

It’s very rare that we can’t paddle at all. Saint Anna is a protected archipelago, with thousands of islands breaking up the wind and waves. There are no tides, strong currents or big ocean swell, so wind is the main thing we plan around.

Your guides keep a close eye on the forecast and the group throughout the trip. If it’s breezy, we usually stay in the inner and middle archipelago, where larger islands and narrower passages give us much more shelter. The outer skerries are wonderful in calm weather, but we don’t need to go there if conditions don’t feel right.

This is also why we keep the route open. We have four end points to choose from, so we don’t have to force a fixed itinerary or paddle back to where we started. We can let the weather shape the adventure in a sensible way.

Your guides carry communication and safety equipment, and the whole area generally has cell phone reception. If something happens, help is only a phone call away.

For smaller problems – minor medical issues, equipment trouble, or if someone is tired or uncomfortable – your guides handle it directly and adapt the plan. That might mean taking a longer break, choosing a shorter route, staying sheltered, or arranging practical help if needed.

For serious emergencies, we call 112, Sweden’s emergency number. The coast guard or sea rescue can reach us by boat if needed. Saint Anna feels remote, but we’re never extremely far from help – you can usually be reached by boat within roughly 30 minutes or so.

Luckily, serious incidents are very rare. In 21 years, we’ve only had to call the coast guard once, and that was for an allergic reaction to a hornet sting.

Don’t be! This is about camaraderie and team effort. Your guides are experts at making sure everyone feels comfortable with the tempo and distance covered. If there are some really gung-ho kayakers in the group, one if the guides will take them for an extra paddle once you’ve picked a good spot for camping.

We’ll teach you everything you need to know, it’s not that difficult. You just have to be attentive and continuously compare what you see around you to the map. It’s an advantage to have a little knowledge of maps, orienteering or navigation, but we’ve had many novices over the years and they do just fine too. One person in your group will be assigned navigator and have the deck compass, sea chart and hand compass strapped on the front of the kayak. The whole area has reception, so it’s also possible to ”cheat” a bit and double-check on your phone that you are where you think you are.

Life here is rustic, but the cabin is anything but. All the rooms are beautifully furnished in the traditional style that is so characteristic for the area. Two persons share each room. We have a proper kitchen that runs on gas, and prepare delicious meals together.

It’s always hard to predict water temperatures, as it depends so much on the weeks leading up to your trip. In early/mid September it's generally somewhere between 16–21°C.

Our season runs from late May through late September, and the best time to kayak in Saint Anna Archipelago depends on what kind of experience you’re after. Every part of the season has its own charm.

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Late May to mid June
Early summer is beautifully green, lush and full of life. The days are incredibly long, flowers are blooming, and there’s lots of bird activity around the islands.

Pros: Very green and lush, lots of birdlife, almost endless daylight.
Cons: The water is usually still quite cold and most cafés, restaurants and small island establishments are closed until Midsummer.

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Late June to mid August
This is classic Swedish summer, and your best bet for warm, sunny weather. The water is comfortable enough for swimming, all the small archipelago establishments are open, and you may get those glorious days of sunbathing on warm rocks after a swim.

Pros: Warmest weather, swimmable water, long days, all island establishments open.
Cons: Afternoons can get breezy, and there may be some mosquitoes.

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Mid August to mid September
This is a favourite among many kayakers. The weather is often calmer and more settled, the water usually stays warm for a while, and the sunsets can be absolutely gorgeous.

Pros: Often calm days, beautiful long sunsets, usually still possible to comfortably swim at least into early September.
Cons: Most establishments close toward the end of August, evenings are cooler, and many bird species have migrated south.

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Late September
Late September has a completely different feel: crisp air, autumn colours, golden light and a wonderful sense of stillness. It can be stunning, and it’s best suited if you have some kayaking and camping experience.

Pros: Autumn colours, golden light, amazing solitude.
Cons: The water is getting cold, and if you’re unlucky the weather can be wet and windy.

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During the briefing, we teach you everything you need to know to head out on your own self-guided kayak expedition.

First up, you pack your personal belongings into dry bags. Anything you don’t want to bring kayaking can be left with us, and we’ll bring it to your end point on the last day.

The briefing takes around 2.5–3 hours and starts with the practical stuff: how to pack and load your kayak, how to use the equipment, how to get in and out safely, and basic paddling technique. You don’t need previous kayaking experience – we’ll show you how to paddle efficiently, steer, and handle the kayak as a pair if you’re in a double.

We recommend having lunch during the briefing. In the food order, we have easy first-day lunch options like ready-made baguettes and salads, so you don’t need to start cooking before you’ve even launched.

We also spend a good chunk of time on navigation. You’ll learn how to use the sea chart, deck compass and hand compass, how to take out a route, and how to compare what you see around you with the chart. We’ll also go through the guidebook, which includes tips on points of interest, beautiful passages, water refill spots, rubbish drop-off points, camp routines, practical advice, and information about the nature, wildlife, geology and history of the islands.

Weather and route planning are important too. We’ll explain how to read the forecast, how to choose sheltered routes, when to stay in the inner or middle archipelago, and when conditions are good for heading further out. During your trip, we’ll also send you daily weather reports so you can keep adapting your plan.

We’ll go through camping routines as well: where you’re allowed to camp, how to choose a good camp spot, how to use the tent and stove, how to handle fresh water, rubbish, bathroom needs and the Right of Public Access. We’ll also cover bird sanctuaries, fire rules and how to leave the islands exactly as wild and clean as you found them.

Finally, we cover safety and support: what to do if the weather changes, if equipment breaks, if someone feels unwell, or if you simply want advice. You’ll have a basic mobile phone with you, and we’re available throughout the trip.

Yes. There are several places in the archipelago where you can drop off rubbish along the way, and these are marked on your sea chart.

You’ll still need to pack and carry your rubbish with you until you reach one of those spots. We’ll explain during the briefing how to manage waste on the trip and where the rubbish bins are.

We ask you to separate aluminium and plastic, as there are recycling stations in some locations. And of course, never leave anything behind on the islands – not food scraps, packaging, tissues or anything else.

The rule is simple: whatever you bring in, you bring out. Your camp spot should look untouched when you paddle away.

For beginners and intermediate paddlers, we provide double kayaks. They’re stable, efficient and very well suited for a multi-day expedition with food and camping gear.

There are lots of advantages to using a double kayak. They fit more food and gear than two singles, and they’re much easier to load and unload, which makes a big difference when you’re camping at a new spot each day. They also fit our mylar-lined cooler bag, which keeps food cold for 3–4 days. In single kayaks, we use a regular cooler bag that stays cold for 1–2 days.

Doubles are also faster and easier to paddle over distance, thanks to the momentum of two people paddling together. And they make the experience more social – you’ll be spending lots of hours on the water, and it’s lovely to be close enough to chat and share what you’re seeing along the way.

Our regular single kayaks are quite slim, and over the years we’ve had many guests with some previous kayaking experience who still found them unstable. If you’d like to use a single kayak, we’ll ask about your kayaking experience first, and we only provide them to experienced paddlers.

If your group has an uneven number of people, we provide a more stable single kayak that works for beginners. However, it needs to be used together with at least one double kayak, since it doesn’t hold enough food and gear for a full expedition on its own.

So in short: beginners and intermediates use double kayaks. Regular single kayaks are only for experienced paddlers, and our stable beginner-friendly single is only used together with a double kayak when a group has an uneven number of people.

Our guided kayak trips run from June through September, and each part of the season has its own feel.

Early to mid June
Early summer is beautifully green, with flowers, nesting birds and very long days. It barely gets dark at night, which makes camp evenings feel quite magical. The water is usually still pretty cold though, and most island establishments are closed until Midsummer.

Late June to mid August
This is classic Swedish summer, with the best chance of warm, sunny weather and swimmable water. All seasonal establishments are usually open, so we may be able to visit places like Harstena for the bakery, restaurant or a little taste of archipelago culture. Afternoons can get breezy, and there may be some mosquitoes, but this is a wonderful time for swimming, long evenings and summer camp life.

Mid August to mid September
This is a favourite time for many kayakers. The weather is often calmer, the water usually stays warm for a while, and the sunsets can be spectacular. By late August, some establishments start closing for the season, and many birds have migrated south, but the paddling conditions can be fantastic.

Late September
Late September feels quieter and more autumnal, with crisp air, golden light and beautiful colours on the islands. The water is getting colder and the weather can be more changeable, but the stillness is amazing.

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The guided trip starts in Norrköping, where we pick you up at 10:00 on the first day – either at the train station or from any hotel, hostel or Airbnb in town.

From there, it takes a little over one hour to drive to our launch in the Saint Anna Archipelago, where the kayaks, camping gear and food are waiting. We pack the kayaks, go through the equipment and paddling basics, and then head out into the archipelago together.

The trip doesn’t have one fixed end point. We have four end points to choose from, and we decide where to finish as the trip unfolds, depending on the weather, the route and what we feel like doing as a group.

On the last day, we paddle to our chosen end point, load the kayaks and gear, and drive back to Norrköping. Drop-off is at 17:00 at the latest, so you can book your travel from 17:00 onwards.

Wild camping means we choose a beautiful island, set up camp in nature and leave it exactly as we found it.

There are no facilities – no toilets, showers, running water, bins, picnic tables or marked pitches. We’re simply camping in the wild, surrounded by sea, rocks, forest and sky.

In Sweden, the Right of Public Access allows us to camp in nature, as long as we do it responsibly. That means we don’t camp close to homes, we respect bird sanctuaries and wildlife, and we leave absolutely nothing behind.

Your guides help choose good camp spots, show everyone how to pitch the tents, organise camp life and make sure we follow proper wilderness routines. We cook together, swim or wash in the brackish sea water, and settle into that lovely rhythm of life outdoors.

So in short: wild camping is simple, beautiful and very freeing – no facilities, no neighbours, just our little camp on an island for the night.

No, not at all. We decide as a group where to paddle and how far. We have four different pick-up points to choose from and decide as we along. Check out our interactive map with points of interest if you like.  

The weather in the archipelago changes often and quickly. We give you a basic cell phone and text you today’s and tomorrow’s weather report every morning. When you are out for a few days you are very likely to experience a couple of calm and sunny days and a couple of windy and overcast ones. Sometimes it rains of course, but it usually passes pretty quickly. We provide a water and wind resistant paddle jacket and you have a spray skirt to keep you dry and snug in the kayak. Temperatures vary a lot, a typical summer day can bring you 33°C and sunshine, or 17°C and rain, but mostly it stays around 20–26°C.

Camping in 2-person Hilleberg tents. We may also dig snow caves, and if you want to, you can spend the night in there instead.

Mid/Late June

When our seasons starts, early summer is in its pride – it’s incredibly green with lots of flowers. The archipelago is full of proud bird moms swimming around with their little chicks. Days are really long and it barely gets dark at all.‍

Pros: Very green and lush, lots of bird wildlife, crazy long hours of daylight.‍

Cons: Right on the cusp of the water getting warm, depends on the couple of weeks leading up to the trip. Can be windy.

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Early/Mid September

September is regarded by many as the best month to go sea kayaking in Sweden. It’s starting to get a bit cooler but late summer weather is usually very stable. There is a good chance of mirror-calm water for several days. Late summer sunsets last for hours and are absolutely amazing!

‍Pros: Often fantastic calm days, long colourful sunsets.‍

Cons: Water usually stays swimmable at least a week or two into September, not always though. Many bird species have migrated south.

The weather in the archipelago changes often and quickly. We give you a basic cell phone and text you today’s and tomorrow’s weather report every morning. When you are out for a few days you are very likely to experience a couple of calm and sunny days and a couple of windy and overcast ones. Sometimes it rains of course, but it usually passes pretty quickly. We provide a water and wind resistant paddle jacket and you have a spray skirt to keep you dry and snug in the kayak. Temperatures vary a lot, a typical early summer day can bring you 25°C and sunshine, or 12°C and rain, but mostly it stays around 17–22°C.

The weather in the archipelago changes often and quickly. We give you a basic cell phone and text you today’s and tomorrow’s weather report every morning. When you are out for a few days you are very likely to experience a couple of calm and sunny days and a couple of windy and overcast ones. Sometimes it rains of course, but it usually passes pretty quickly. We provide a water and wind resistant paddle jacket and you have a spray skirt to keep you dry and snug in the kayak. Temperatures vary a lot, a typical September day can bring you 25°C and sunshine, or 13°C and rain, but mostly it stays around 18–24°C.

Yes. We store your luggage safely while you’re out kayaking.

Before the briefing, you’ll repack the personal items you want to bring into our dry bags. Anything you don’t need on the water – suitcases, backpacks, travel clothes and other belongings – is left with us.

We’ll bring your stored luggage to your chosen end point on the last day, so it’s waiting for you when we pick you up.

We provide drinking water at the start of your trip, and there are places to refill along the way.

At the launch, you’ll receive 8 litres per person in water canteens, plus 1 litre per person in a drinking bottle – so 9 litres per person in total. This is usually enough for the first 2–3 days, depending on the weather, how much you cook and how much water you drink.

There are a few places in the archipelago where you can refill your water supply, and these are marked on your sea chart. We’ll go through them during the briefing, so you can plan your route with water stops in mind.

You don’t need to filter or purify sea water. The Baltic Sea around Saint Anna is brackish and fine for bathing and washing dishes, but not for drinking. For drinking and cooking, use the fresh water we provide and refill at the marked spots along the way.

For beginners and intermediate paddlers, we use stable double kayaks. They’re steady, efficient and very well suited for a guided multi-day trip with food and camping gear.

Double kayaks also make the group flow nicely. They’re faster over distance thanks to the momentum of two people paddling together, and they fit more gear than two singles. They’re also a more social way to paddle – you’re close enough to chat, share what you’re seeing and work together through the day.

If you’re an experienced paddler and prefer a single kayak, you can request one ahead of time. Our regular single kayaks are slim and require good balance and paddling skills, so we only provide them to guests with solid kayaking experience.

For uneven groups, we use a stable single kayak where needed. It works well together with the double kayaks, but doesn’t hold as much food and gear on its own.

So in short: most guests paddle doubles. Experienced paddlers can request a single kayak in advance.

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Yes. We store your luggage safely while we’re out kayaking.

Before we launch, you’ll repack the personal items you want to bring into dry bags. Anything you don’t need on the water – suitcases, backpacks, travel clothes and other belongings – can be left with us.

We don’t finish where we started, but that’s no problem. We’ll bring your stored luggage to our chosen end point on the last day, so it’s waiting when we finish the trip.

We go to the bathroom the wilderness way – with a small spade and a hole in the forest.

There are no toilets on the islands, so your guides will explain how to do it properly. We choose a discreet spot well away from camp, paths, water and places where others might land. Then we dig a small hole, do our thing, and bury everything properly afterwards, including toilet paper.

It may feel unfamiliar at first, but most people get used to it very quickly. It’s simply part of wild camping.

The important thing is to be respectful and leave no trace. The archipelago is beautifully clean and wild, and we want to keep it that way for the next paddlers, the wildlife and the people who own the islands.

It depends a lot on how fast we paddle and weather conditions. A general rule of thumb in a double kayak is around 3-4 km per hour. We'll take quite a few breaks, both on the water, and stopping for lunch and points of interest on land. Usually we do around 12-20 km in a day. You can see a scale in the bottom left corner of the Interactive Map. Do take into consideration that we'll often paddle along the edges of the islands and not straight across the quickest path. Often, but not always, we finish at Fyrudden all the way at the bottom of the map.

It’s always hard to predict water temperatures. How early you can comfortably swim depends completely on the weeks leading up to the summer. All it takes is a couple of weeks of warm weather to heat the water nicely (Nordic style, we’re not in the Mediterranean). In general it may look something like this:
Early June: 14–19°C
‍Late June – mid August: 19–24°C
‍Late August – early September: 19–22°C
‍Late September: 14–19°C

We have deliberately chosen a location where we can adapt to the weather. If it’s supposed to be very windy on the Fulufjället plateau, we head to the beautiful wilderness area ”Norra Mora Vildmark” instead. It’s at lower altitudes and we can go there in any weather.

It’s always hard to predict water temperatures. How early you can comfortably swim depends completely on the weeks leading up to the summer. All it takes is a couple of weeks of warm weather to heat the water nicely (Nordic style, we’re not in the Mediterranean). In general it may look something like this:
Mid/Late June: 17–21°C
Early/Mid September: 18–23°C
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This is early season, so the water will be pretty chilly, somewhere around 13-18°C.

No, unfortunately this trip isn’t available for solo travellers.

For our self-guided kayak expedition, you need to be at least two people. We don’t put solo travellers together with other guests on this trip, so you’ll need to book with a travel companion.

The reason is safety. Not because the kayaking itself is especially dangerous – Saint Anna is a sheltered and beginner-friendly paddling area – but because you’ll be out in the wild for several days. Slips and falls, allergic reactions, illness or other unexpected situations can happen anywhere, and it’s always much safer to be at least two people when you’re travelling independently in nature.

If you’re travelling on your own, have a look at our Guided Kayak Adventure instead. You’ll still get the full kayaking and wild camping experience in the Saint Anna Archipelago, but with two guides and a small group to share the adventure with.

Food is not included in the tour price, but we make it very easy to organise.

After booking, you’ll get access to your personal Trip Planner, where you order all your food and drinks in advance through our online food shop. You pay cost price, the same as at the supermarket – we don’t add a markup. Before your trip, we shop, pack and organise everything for you, so your food is ready when we pick you up.

You’ll have hundreds of items to choose from, including fresh ingredients, snacks, drinks, beer and wine, plus easy first-day options like ready-made baguettes and salads. We also provide a good selection of dried herbs, spices and condiments free of charge, so you don’t need to buy full-size packs of everything.

We provide the cooking gear, stove, fuel, water bottles and cooler bag. If you’re paddling in double kayaks, our mylar-lined cooler bag keeps food cold for around 3–4 days. If your group uses single kayaks only, you’ll have a regular cooler bag that stays cold for around 1–2 days, so you’ll need to plan your meals accordingly.

Check out our Guide to Food Planning and our Outdoor Recipes.

No – there’s no set paddling route, and that’s one of the best things about the trip.

Before you set off, we’ll go through a rough plan with you during the briefing. We’ll show you beautiful areas, suitable passages, points of interest, water refill spots, rubbish drop-off points and possible end points. You’ll also have our sea chart and guidebook with you, so you have plenty of information to plan your days.

Once you’re out there, the route is yours. You decide how far to paddle each day, which islands to explore and where to camp. Weather will often have a say in what makes sense, so it’s much better not to be locked into a fixed itinerary. If conditions are calm, you may head further out towards the outer skerries. If it’s breezy, you can stay in the more sheltered inner and middle archipelago.

You also don’t need to paddle back to where you started. We have four end points to choose from, and you only need to let us know which one you’ll finish at on your last evening. This keeps the route flexible and means you don’t have to backtrack.

So in short: we help you plan, but you don’t follow a fixed route. You adapt the trip as you go, depending on the weather, your pace and what you feel like exploring.

Yes, children are welcome on the self-guided expedition from 12 years and up, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

The age limit is mainly about the kayaks. For beginners and intermediates, we use stable double kayaks, and you need two reasonably tall and strong people to manoeuvre them properly – especially if conditions get breezy. Younger children usually aren’t able to contribute enough power or control in that kind of situation. We can sometimes make an exception for 11-year-olds, depending on height and strength.

Yes. On our guided kayak trips, everyone gets their own Hilleberg solo tent.

That means you have your own private space at camp, even though we travel, cook and hang out together as a group.

If you’re coming as a couple or with a friend and would rather share, that’s absolutely fine too – just let us know, and we can provide a double tent instead.

The tents are high quality, free-standing and easy to pitch on both flat rocks and softer ground. Your guides will show everyone how to set them up, and after the first night it becomes part of the camp rhythm.

So in short: yes, you get your own tent  – shared adventure by day, private little island home by night.

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Yes. Saint Anna Archipelago generally has cell phone reception throughout the area.

There can be the odd spot where the signal is weaker, but it’s usually enough to move a short distance on land or on the water to get reception again.

On the guided trip, your guides carry communication equipment and can make calls if needed. It’s also nice to know that you can use your own phone for photos, messages and checking in now and then.

We use the brackish sea water for both washing ourselves and doing the dishes.

For washing yourself, it’s simple: swim, rinse off in the sea, or have a quick wash by the water. The Baltic Sea around Saint Anna is only lightly salty, so it feels much fresher than ocean water. We provide biodegradable shampoo and body wash made for salt water.

For dishes, we also use sea water. We provide a dishwashing kit and biodegradable dish soap, and your guides will show the best way to wash up without leaving food scraps or mess behind. We scrape plates and pans properly first, use as little soap as possible, and make sure no food waste is left at camp or in the water.

So in short: sea water does the job – for swimming, washing and dishes – and we make sure every camp spot is left just as clean as we found it.

Our season runs from late May through late September. Saint Anna & Gryt boast some of the highest number of sunny days in Sweden – often a band of grey clouds veil the mainland as you’re enjoying sunny blue skies. It does get windy, overcast or rainy at times – that’s when superior equipment really makes a difference for your experience

Late May–Mid June

When our seasons starts, early summer is in its pride – it’s incredibly green with lots of flowers. The archipelago is full of proud bird moms swimming around with their little chicks. Days are really long and it barely gets dark at all.
Pros: Very green and lush, lots of bird wildlife, crazy long hours of daylight.
Cons: Water usually does not get warm until late June, can be windy, most establishments in the area closed until Midsummer.

Late June–Mid August

The prime summer months in Sweden and your best bet for sunny and warm days. By now the water is a little warmer – you may get some glorious days sunbathing on a flat skerry in the outer archipelago. Although still solitary while camping & kayaking, there may be bustling activity of sailers, boaters and kayakers at the different hubs of the area.‍

Pros: Beautiful sunny weather, swimmable water, long hours of sunlight, all establishments in the area open.‍

Cons: Conditions may get pretty windy, especially in the afternoon, some mosquitos.

Mid August–Mid September

By late August you will probably be blessed with calmer weather, but you won’t see as many flowers and birds. September is regarded by many as the best month to go sea kayaking in Sweden. It’s starting to get a bit cooler but late summer weather is usually very stable. There is a good chance of mirror-calm water for several days. Late summer sunsets last for hours and are absolutely amazing!

‍Pros: Often fantastic calm days, long colourful sunsets.‍

Cons: Most establishments close end of August, chillier water even though it usually stays swimmable at least a week into September. Many bird species have migrated south.

Late September

As autumn arrives to the archipelago, the leaves turn beautiful bright red and yellow colours. The air is crisp and the sun is low, creating a lovely golden light. The stillness is palpable – no one around except locals carrying on their daily lives on the islands. Bring your long johns and a warm beanie, and preferably have some kayaking and camping experience.‍

Pros: Beautiful, crisp autumn weather, beautiful sunsets, incredible solitude.‍

Cons: Water starting to get cold, if unlucky, can be wet and windy.

Your lead guide is a certified mountain guide, (”fjälledarnormen”) which is a rigorous education in safety, navigation, etc. Since reception is spotty in the mountains, we have a satellite phone. Your guides pull a longer sled that can hold a person in case of injury. We don’t move in any areas with risk of avalanches.

The weather in the archipelago changes often and quickly. We are very likely to experience a couple of calm and sunny days and a couple of windy and overcast ones. Sometimes it rains of course, but it usually passes pretty quickly. We provide a water and wind resistant paddle jacket and you have a spray skirt to keep you dry and snug in the kayak. Temperatures vary a lot, a typical summer day can bring you 33°C and sunshine, or 17°C and rain, but mostly it stays around 20–26°C.

Most guests paddle around 6–18 km per day, depending on the weather, wind direction, how many breaks they take and how much they want to explore along the way. The most common distance is around 10–12 km per day.

In a double kayak, a fairly relaxed pace is usually around 3–4 km per hour. But you won’t be paddling non-stop. You’ll likely stop for lunch, swims, short walks, points of interest and little island breaks along the way.

Wind makes the biggest difference. A tailwind can make paddling feel easy, while a headwind can be tiring and a lot slower. That’s why we recommend planning your route day by day, using the morning weather forecast and choosing sheltered passages when needed.

Some guests take it very easy and only paddle a short distance before finding a beautiful island to camp on. Others like covering more ground and exploring a larger part of Saint Anna & Gryt. Both approaches work well.

Yes, we recommend that all guests have travel insurance for the trip.

Travel insurance is there for the things you hope won’t happen: illness before departure, injury, lost or delayed luggage, cancelled transport, medical costs, or needing to cut your trip short.

Saint Anna is a low-hazard area and the kayaking only requires basic paddling skills. You’ll be paddling among thousands of islands, and you’ll see land at all times – this is not an open-sea expedition where you disappear far from shore. There are no tides, strong currents or big ocean swell to worry about.

It’s worth checking that your insurance covers kayaking and outdoor activities, as well as cancellation and medical care. Policies vary, so have a quick look at the details before you travel.

Yes, absolutely. Our guided kayak trip is a great option for solo travellers.

You’ll join a small group of up to 8 guests and 2 guides, and many guests come on their own. The whole trip is built around a friendly group feeling – we paddle together, cook together, set up camp together and decide the route as a team.

You’ll still have your own space too. Everyone gets their own Hilleberg solo tent, unless you’re travelling with someone and would prefer to share a double tent.

So in short: solo travellers are very welcome. You arrive on your own, but pretty quickly it feels like heading out with a little crew of friends.

No, our guided kayak trips are for adults only, with an age limit of 18 years.

It’s not because Saint Anna is an extreme paddling area – the archipelago is sheltered and beginner-friendly. The age limit is more about the nature of the trip as a whole. We’re out as a small group, wild camping on islands with no facilities, sharing camp life, paddling several hours a day and making decisions together as a little expedition crew.

For families with children aged 12 and up, our self-guided kayak expedition is be a better fit.

There are no charging facilities while we’re wild camping, so bring a power bank for your phone and any small electronics you want to keep charged.

Most guests use their phones for photos and occasional messages, so a decent power bank is usually enough for the trip.

On the guided trip, your guides carry communication equipment, so you don’t need to rely on your own phone for safety or logistics.

January: approx. 9:00–15:30
February: approx. 8:00–16:30
March: approx 6:00–18:00

Civilisation is only a phone call away. We can be reached by boat taxi or the coast guard in 30 minutes or so. Luckily accidents are very rare in the archipelago (we’ve only had to call the coast guard once in 20 years,  allergic chock from a hornet bite).