What you’ll getFeaturesMapDeep-diveF.A.Q.
Guided Kayak Adventure
Girl sitting on the rocks eating dinner in the Saint Anna Archipelago.
Join waiting list
Book my Holiday

Guided Kayak Adventure

Divider
Location

Saint Anna Archipelago, Sweden

Season length

June–September

Trip duration

5 days

Number of guests and guides on trip

8 guests + 2 guides

Fitness level for this adventure

Beginners welcome

Prerequisites

18+ yrs, able to swim

Price tag for holiday

14,200 SEK

This ain’t a catered affair, we’re in it together!

We’re a group of friends (who happen to not know each other yet) off on an adventure that’s uniquely our own. We decide where to go and what to do as a team. We help each other out. We experience nature and all it will throw at us as a fun li'l community.

Soon we’re a well-oiled crew of explorers.

We learn as we go along. Zig-zagging our way through the maze of islands, spotting wildlife, setting up camp. Perhaps we go for an evening paddle into the sunset, finding our way back by headlight. Perhaps we just chill on the smooth rocks – cracking beers, jokes and smiles as darkness falls.

Your guides. So many things in one neoprene shoed package.

You been holding out for a hero? Nah, too much machismo. That’s not at all what we’re going for. Howabout your rock when you feel unsure? Santa’s little helper who makes everything flow. Relaxed and fun-loving, yet unflappable and reassuringly in the know.

5
Days
14,200
SEK
Early-bird
10%
off*
Groups
10%
off*

Youths: –1,000 SEK

Deposit: 1,000 SEK at the time of booking

* Pay in full before March 31st

** 7 people or more

Early-bird discount 10% off if paid in full before March 31stBig group discount: 7 or more people 10% off
Price tag
14,200
SEK

Deposit: 1,000 SEK at the time of booking

What you'll get:

A Complete package from start to finish

We cover a vast area on this tour with lots of exciting outer archipelago paddling and visits to historic and cultural highlights. We adapt the route to weather conditions and the group’s preferences.

Divider
Bullet-point

5 days of kayaking and wild camping

Bullet-point

Learn from experienced and fun kayaking guides

Bullet-point

Top quality gear

Bullet-point

Comfort upgrade – air mattress, pillow and chair

Bullet-point

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks

Bullet-point

Return transfer Norrköping–Saint Anna

Dates

All departures are guaranteed
17–21 June (Midsummer, 1 spot left)
24–28 June (2 spots just opened up!)
1–5 July (fully booked)
8–12 July
15–19 July (fully booked)
22–26 July
29 July–2 August
5–9 Aug
12–16 Aug  
19–23 Aug
26–30 Aug (crawfish party one evening)
9–13 Sep (fully booked)
16–20 Sep
23–27 Sep

Transfer times

Pickup: 10:00 at the train station or any hotel/hostel in Norrköping

Dropoff: 17:00 in Norrköping.

Prerequisites

  • Able to swim
  • Weight limit, 120 kilo
  • Age limit, 18 years
  • Fitness level, Low/medium
  • Stable double kayaks for all beginners and intermediates. For uneven groups we supply stable single kayaks. Narrow single kayaks are available for very experienced kayakers only.

Payment

1,000 SEK deposit per person at the time of booking, remaining balance due 6 weeks prior to your departure.

Cancellations

Full refund up until 6 weeks prior to your departure. 50% refund up until 3 weeks prior. No refund less than 3 weeks prior.

Misc

Accommodation: Hilleberg solo tents

Dietary restrictions: Just let us know and we'll sort it out.

Winter Clothing for rent
Houdini winter kit
Price tag for holiday
1,700 SEK
Houdini winter kit available for rent during our winter adventures on skis in Northern Dalarna.
PowerHoudi Polartec® fleece hoodie. RollerCoaster Trousers Waterproof and breathable 3-layer shell pants. Mr./Mrs. Dunfri Primaloft® lightweight synthetic down (mid layer or lighter reinforcement layer). RollerCoaster Jacket Mountaineering shell jacket.
Extra reinforcement layer
Price tag for holiday
800 SEK
Houdini bouncer jacket in blue, perfect as the reinforcement layer during Nordic skiing.
Bouncer Jacket Primaloft® synthetic down. Provides incredible warmth.

All you need to know, and then some

We have gathered the most important guides for this trip. If you want to delve deeper, there is more to discover in Guides & Articles.

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a category

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. We paddle among thousands of islands, and we see land at all times – this is not an open-sea expedition 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.

On the first day, we pick you up in Norrköping at 10:00 – either at the train station or from any hotel, hostel or Airbnb in town.

On our way to pick you up, we stop at the supermarket to collect the food for the trip. Then we drive together to our launch in the Saint Anna Archipelago, a little over one hour from Norrköping.

At the launch, we repack your personal belongings into dry bags, leave any luggage you don’t need with us, go through the gear and pack the kayaks. We have some lunch and your guides will also introduce the basics of paddling, safety and camp life before we set off.

We usually get on the water around 13:30-14:00, paddling out from our sheltered bay into the islands.

On the last day, we paddle to our chosen end point. We have four end points to choose from, and we decide where to finish during the trip depending on the route, weather and what we feel like doing as a group.

At the end point, we repack your personal items into your luggage, load the kayaks and gear, and drive back to Norrköping.

We drop you off in Norrköping by 17:00 at the latest, so you can book your travel from 17:00 onwards.

Saint Anna & Gryt are especially good for birdlife. As we paddle, we pass forested islands, shallow bays, rocky skerries, shore meadows and outer islets – lots of different habitats in a small area.

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. We may also see Grey herons, swans, Great cormorants, Ospreys, and plenty of 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 your guides will make sure we keep the right distance and never land where we shouldn’t.

We may also spot Grey seals, especially further out towards the open sea. Often it’s just a curious head bobbing above the surface, watching us from a distance.

On land, there are no large dangerous animals to worry about. We might come across sheep or cows grazing on some islands, and occasionally a water snake or adder, but they keep to themselves.

Pretty remote – in the best possible way.

Once we paddle away from the launch, we’re quickly surrounded by islands in every direction. Saint Anna & Gryt have around 6,000 islands and islets, and most of them are uninhabited. Much of the area is difficult to reach by larger boats, so travelling by kayak gives us access to quiet passages, hidden camp spots and islands where we can make our home for the night.

The feeling is often one of real solitude. We may pass a few boats, visit an old fishing village or stop by a seasonal island establishment, but much of the trip is spent in proper archipelago wilderness – smooth rocks, forest, open water, birdlife and sky.

At the same time, we’re not cut off in a risky way. We see land throughout the trip, the area has cell phone reception, and your guides carry safety and communication equipment. If help were ever needed, we’re still within reach by boat.

So in short: it feels wild, quiet and far away from everyday life – but with your guides, equipment and support systems in place, we’re never truly isolated.

Water temperatures vary from year to year, depending on the weather leading up to the 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 camp is one of the absolute best parts of the trip.

Yes, there can be mosquitoes and ticks, but they’re usually very manageable.

Mosquitoes vary depending on the weather, temperature, wind and where we camp. They’re more noticeable in warm, still conditions, especially in sheltered forested areas and around dusk. Out on open rocks or breezier islands, they’re often not much of a problem. And no – this is nothing like mosquito conditions in northern Sweden or midges in Scotland. That’s a common misconception.

Ticks can occur in high grass and dense vegetation. They can, very rarely, carry diseases such as TBE or Borrelia, so it’s worth being sensible. Most of the archipelago is smooth rock, moss and open forest, so it’s usually easy to avoid walking through high grass altogether.

We provide mosquito repellent, tweezers and information on how to remove a tick quickly and correctly. Your guides will also help choose camp spots where mosquitoes are less likely to be an issue.

So in short: mosquitoes can be annoying but are usually not a major issue, and ticks are mainly something to be aware of in high grass.

Question categories
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Can't find an answer?

Send an email to Helena:
contact@dothenorth.com

Give us a call:
+46 (0) 707 13 96 09