Introduction
You be the explorer in Sweden's most stunning and untouched coastal wonderland! The remote Saint Anna Archipelago on the Baltic coast is heaven for kayakers and you're in for an unforgettable adventure!
Nowhere in Europe can you find 6000 islands so closely clustered together - a maze from the forested sheltered islands close to the mainland out to the barren islets bordering the open sea. You are free to paddle and wild camp wherever you like! There is an abundance of coastal birds and you may even spot Grey seals. Always find an island completely your own to set up camp, cook a delicious meal and watch the sunset.
Easy access! Fly in the evening before for pick-up near Stockholm Skavsta Airport, either at the hotel by the airport or at any hotel/hostel in the small town Nyköping nearby. Alternatively fly to Stockholm Arlanda, Linköping City Airport, Bromma Airport or Copenhagen Airport and we'll pick you up in Norrköping.
We offer self-guided, yet full service kayaking trips. We take care of all practical aspects of your adventure, but the holiday is yours...all yours! Top quality kayaking, camping & cooking gear provided. On site we give a briefing on safety, navigation and the area. Return transport Stockholm Skavsta or Norrköping-Saint Anna included. Access to our comprehensive food order - choose from hundreds of products in advance, we shop and pack for you. There are no tides, swells or currents to worry about in Saint Anna, and it's perfect for beginners and experienced kayakers alike!
Saint Anna boasts one of Sweden's highest number of sunny days with some of the warmest temperatures in the sea. Almost all the islands are uninhabited, but the area also has a rich history of farmers, fishermen and seafarers living their whole lives out here. It’s completely up to you what choose to explore – visit cultural points of interest, do all wilderness, or more likely, a blend of both!
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Additional Services
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Meals
- Visit to Stockholm Skavsta Airport
- Visit to forested islands and islets
- Visit to Lammskär and Kalvskär
- Visit to Saint Anna
- Visit to Harstena
Day 1: Pick-up from Norrköping at 10:00
Arrive late the evening before your trip to Stockholm Skavsta Airport and we'll pick you up from any hotel/hostel near the airport!
There are also a number of other practical ways to get here, and we can also pick you up in Norrköping, the major hub of the area.
Stockholm Arlanda (all major airlines), 2 hour direct train to Norrköping
Linköping City Airport (KLM), 30 min train to Norrköping
Copenhagen Airport (all major airlines), 3 hr 45 min high speed train to Norrköping. Good for the climate!
Bromma Airport (Brussels Airlines), 20 min airport shuttle plus 1 hr 45 min train.
This is an example itinerary for 4 days, and you have lots of flexibility in choosing your route. Launch and finish at different locations, which makes it easier to adapt your route to weather conditions and cover more distance.
Day 2: Into the maze
All your provided gear and pre-ordered groceries are waiting for you at the launch. We'll do a briefing on navigation, safety and the area, and go through a rough plan for your expedition. You'll repack your clothes into drybags and load the kayaks. Using our top-of-the-line equipment is a real treat! It can be hard to justify purchasing gear of that caliber on your own!
Our launch site is situated in a sheltered bay – soon you round the first islands and see a maze of islands spreading out in all directions. During your paddle northeast towards Aspöja you’ll pass through many clusters of forested islands and islets. A variety of different ducks, as well as swans and Grey herons breed around here, and White-tailed eagles are sighted regularly since they nest in large trees nearby.
Continue paddling through the Uggelholmarna Nature Reserve, a great spot for a break. Three hundred year-old pine and linden trees grow here, and the open forest is perfect for a short wander. Aim east towards the narrow inlet between Lammskär and Kalvskär - you'll end up surrounded by a beautiful and sheltered atoll formation of islands. Sunset views here are amazing!
Day 3: A band of islands against the horizon
Your following morning passes bird sanctuaries with lots of birdlife, if you choose you can paddle towards Äspskär. This crescent-shaped smooth islet is surrounded by shallow waters, and is superb for swimming and even snorkelling!
Another absolutely stunning route goes through a massive cluster of hundreds of barren islets close to the open sea. This is the most finely-chiselled archipelago that exists in Sweden, and the paddle is so beautiful with the blue horizon as your backdrop. You may spot Ospreys, Great Cormorants and Arctic skuas along with many other types of birds. Grey seal sightings are frequent around Norrbådarna and Ådskär.
Continue towards one of the most famous points of interest in Saint Anna - the old navigation mark Kupa Klint. It’s a fantastic lookout with spectacular views of the archipelago spreading out below. Inside the outer band of skerries you find the large island Missjö with its parallel islands. There is a rustic pub on Missjö run by local boat taxi man and sea dog Mats. He's often there to host and tell stories and it's a very fun time indeed!
Day 4: The village that time forgot
Steer your kayak south towards the most visited island in the area – Harstena. An idyllic view of the village greets you as you paddle the narrow inlet. Harstena is famous far and wide for its picturesque and historic beauty. Learn more about the history of the village at the museum in the old school, munch on delicious cinnamon swirls from the bakery and treat yourself to a meal of delicious archipelago cuisine at the water-side restaurant.
A short paddle west takes you to Torrön and its mosaic of surrounding islets. It’s a very beautiful sheltered area with shallow waters, smooth rocks and calm creeks – great for swimming and sunbathing. Make sure to look down as you glide through the myriad of skerries to view the bladder wrack forests on the rocky bottoms
Day 5: Land Ahoy
Your last day in this island wonderland! Enjoy a leisurely morning and jump for a final dip in the sea. Cook up a hearty breakfast in preparation for a somewhat strenuous paddle ahead.
Head north across some pretty exposed waters until you reach the pretty narrow passage between Missjö and its inner parallel island. A quick paddle west and you reach the bustling mainland hub Tyrislöt.
Take some extra time here to visit the Archipelago Museum and stroll the nature trail. Down a couple of cold lagers among the cherry trees outside the countryside pub. A great way to end your weekend of wilderness and archipelago culture! A pad on the back is in order, you just completed an impressive kayaking expedition all by yourselves in a truly wild coastal landscape!
