If you could do just one nature excursion in Stockholm, then you should paddle kayak in the outer archipelago. This watery world consists of thousands of uninhabited small islands which are among the wildest areas in Europe. We run the day tours every day Thursday-Sunday the whole summer, but you can also choose to have a private departure for you and your friends.

"Just an hour away, this was a perfect escape from the busy life of Stockholm... This was a trip for lifetime memories!"
Dina Sorokina, New York, USA

Our kayak tours have received the quality label for ecotourism, Natures Best!

Anyone can do it!

Our day tour is at an easy tempo to suit both beginners and more experienced alike. Most who paddle with us have no previous experience, but the techniques are easy to learn. After a short training session in the stable kayaks we set off on our journey of discovery. Please note that Stockholm Adventures also offer special departures for 55+ only. The list below show the tour dates specially for 55+.

Lunch on our own sun-warmed rocks

Our tour guides are experienced paddlers with excellent knowledge of the archipelago, its history, flora and fauna. They know their way to the finest islands, skerries and inlets. Surprisingly few visitors come here and it is easy for us to find a deserted island to take a swim and stop for a rest with a well-prepared lunch.

Join us on an adventure with a difference, Stockholm Adventures' Kayaking day in the archipelago!


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The Scandinavian archipelago between Finland and Sweden is unique on earth! Most fascinating is the fact that the archipelago is only approximately one hour from the centre of Stockholm.

This island world consists of around 25.000 islands in every conceivable shape and size. They actually start right in the middle of the city, also sometimes named as “The Venice of the North”. The islands near Stockholm are virtually suburbs of the Swedish capital. Other parts are uninhabited and are still among the wildest areas in Europe. None of the islands are quite like the other: Some are forest-clad, some rise high above the sea - others are low, bare slabs of rock called “skerries”. On some of the islands it takes several hours to walk from one end to the other whereas it is possible to swim around others in a couple of minutes.

This fantastic seascape, situated just outside an historic capital, might seem like it is a paradise for tourists. There are, however, relatively few tourists to be seen in the archipelago even at the peak season in July. The Swedes are too protective of this island heritage to let it be spoiled by the presence of bars and souvenir stands and other evidence of mass tourism.

Here is a typical itinerary for our archipelago day tour:

Take the public SL bus yourself from metro station Slussen in the city departing 08:48 to the small port of Stavsnäs, east of the city. It is a 45 minutes ride. From Stavsnäs take the taxi boat for a short "archipelago cruise"  to our kayak base on the island of Runmarö.

The tour leader meets you at the jetty and we then continue by trying out our equipment and learning paddle technique. We start off paddling with a short stretch to our first stop where there is time for a swim before lunch. We continue paddling at an easy pace and then during the afternoon head back to our starting inlet.

Enjoy afternoon tea ("fika") before heading homeward. Arrival at Slussen between 18:00 och 19:00.

Dates 2010

Saturday and Sunday: June 5—27 and September 4-12. No tour June 26.
Thursday - Sunday (every day): 1 July - 29 August.
Tours specially for 55+: 6 June, 27 June, 4 July, 18 July and 29 August.

Private tours: See bottom of the page

Price

Adults: SEK 990 weekdays, SEK 1200 weekends
Students/Children 12 - 15 years: SEK 990

Included

• Sea kayak with all necessary equipment
• Tasty lunch hamper and snacks
• Experienced kayak guide
• Boat connection to and from Stavsnäs (15 minutes)
• Loan of rain clothes (pre book!)

Not included

Clothing: warm clothes, swimsuit. You are on and close to the water so extra clothes can come in handy.

Participants

Minimum 2, maximum 9 persons

Requirements

Ability to swim 200 m, minimum age 12 years.
Families with children under 12 years? Please contact us, we can arrange a special family tour for you.

Kayaks

Very stable and easy to paddle one and two-man kayaks.

How to get there?

We run our day tours from the island of Runmarö. It is situated outside Värmdö, due east from the city of Stockholm. To get there you travel on your own by regional bus number 433/434 from the bus station located at the underground-station Slussen, two stations away from the Central station/ T-centralen. Go downstairs at the end of the platform to find the bus! Departures are at 08.48 am every day.

After approximate 45 minutes ride you will arrive at the small port of Stavsnäs Vinterhamn, 50 km east of downtown Stockholm. There a small white/blue taxi boat will be waiting to the right behind the petrol station (Preem) upon your arrival by bus. Go straight to the boat which will be leaving from Stavsnäs at 09.35 bound for Runmarö. The boat waits for the bus to arrive. NOTE!Don't take the big white or red boats!

You will be back before 19.00 (7 pm) in Stockholm City.

When is it best to go?

Before midsummer the water is colder, but the nights are light, the archipelago has very few visitors and birdlife is at its most intensive. There is also opportunities for orchid paddling if you know where to look... and we do! After midsummer greater numbers of holiday makers arrive, however we can mostly still find our own deserted island anyway. Towards the end of August and into September the pristine bird-protection areas have opened, the water is still warm, beautiful autumn colours beckon and the archipelago is almost deserted. Many think that this is perhaps the nicest time to explore.

Climate

We always expect some sunshine, windy or rainless conditions. On average one rainy day a week, can be expected. The remaining days should have fair weather although several days of rain could be experienced on occasions. During July and August the day average temperatures normally are between 20-25° Centigrade and a few degrees colder at night. But it can be colder, especially in the beginning of summer, so make sure to bring some warm clothes to be on the safe side. Water temperatures usually range between 15° and 20° C. Refreshing warm for sure! May and September is normally a bit colder, sometimes even below 10°C at daytime.

This is the most essential

A more detailed departure information is, however, sent by e-mail after your booking.

Suggested equipment to bring

• Sports-sandals
• Rain-/wind gear (basic rain gear available on request)
• Swim-suit
• Towel
• Long-sleeves
• Cap
• Sun-glasses
• Sun-screen
• Personal water bottle (a soft drink bottle is OK).
• Bring also some extra dry clothes if you get wet (happens very seldom, though).

Tours for private groups

Dates on request April - October!

Price: SEK 1200/person for min 4 participants, SEK 1500/person for 3, SEK 2200/person for 2 participants.
Included: As above, but you have a choice of time, food, area and can also bring your children.