Kayak and Wild Camp - Saint Anna Archipelago (Self Guided)

For safety reasons, you need to book this trip with a minimum group size of 2. Uneven group sizes are absolutely fine, but one person will be expected to use a single kayak, rather than a double. 

 Included: 

• All camping equipment (1 tent for 2 people) 
• Navigation and safety equipment 
• Phone for daily weather reports
• Guide book and map 
• All kayaking equipment 
• Luggage storage 

Not included: 

• International flights
• Food - this will be pre-ordered and charged at the same price as the local supermarket. The hosts will have this ready for you when you arrive. 
• Airport transfers (1hr bus from Stockholm Skavsta Airport)
• Travel insurance  

Yes, as long as you are respectful to land, wildlife and people. Although some of the islands have the odd traditional red and white little house, the absolute majority are wild, unexploited and uninhabited.

You will be transferred by minibus with some other the other groups, and be briefed together. After that, each group heads off on their own adventure. Minimum group size 2 people. 

It’s an interesting challenge to navigate around the islands. Your host will teach you the basics of navigating in the area. After a little trial and error, even the novice navigator excels at following routes and recognising landmarks.

You are provided a deck compass strapped to the front of your kayak, which makes it easy to see which direction you’re going in. 

The whole area has phone reception, so if you are unsure you can always use a little google maps assist.

You do not have to be especially fit to go sea kayaking, nor do you need previous experience. Kayaking is quite easy, and the boats go surprisingly fast with little effort. You decide your own pace and how much distance you wish to cover - the above itinerary is just an example.

You must be able to swim and have a taste for adventure. Weight limit; 120 kilos per person. Beginners are welcome! Double kayaks are used for beginners and intermediates.

For safety reasons, you must book this trip with a minimum of 2 people. We don't want you to miss out, so we have created a Facebook group to meet other solo travellers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446247419648730/  

Start: You'll be collected by your host at your Norrkoping hotel or Norrkoping train station at 10 am on day 1 of our itinerary.

End: You'll be transferred back to Norrkoping train station, or your hotel by 5 pm on day 5 of your itinerary.

You will order everything in advance through a very comprehensive food ordering system and pay cost price, the same as in the supermarket. Your food is packed and ready to go when it’s time to start. Food for a 5 day trip usually adds up to 50–70 euros per person depending on how lavish you wish be. Alcohol is additional. The larger the group, the smaller the individual cost.

You will be provided with enough fresh water to last the first half of the trip, and shown a few places where you can fill up on the way.

Yes, sure! We do recommend using the host equipment though. It's very high quality and has been carefully selected for the conditions in the area.

The warmer summer months are May-Sep, so we only run trips during those dates. Please note the establishments on Harstena are only open from June 19–August 23.

Late May to mid-June
When the 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 swimmable until late June, can be windy, most establishments in the area closed until Midsummer

Late June to 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 very windy, some mosquitos, less solitude in some areas of the archipelago

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

• A couple of sets of clothing - shorts, t-shirt, trousers, warm jumper. 
• Warm beanie hat - Even in summer, it can get cold at night. 
• Cap - Escape from the midday sun. 
• Waterproof gloves. 
• Shoes for land - They’ll be plenty of opportunities to explore the land, so bring a pair of trainers or walking shoes. 
• Shoes for the sea - Your feet will get wet when entering or exiting the kayak, so we highly recommend buying a pair of neoprene socks. They are cheap to buy and will improve your trip immensely. Although not comparable, Crocs also make a reasonable alternative. 
• Towel. 
• Swimwear. 
• Sunglasses. 
• Waterproof sunscreen - Essential. 
• Toiletries - you can order shampoo, body wash and soap through the food order (the sea is your bathtub, the water is brackish, only slightly salty)
• Mosquito repellent - you can order through the food order
• Optional extras - binoculars, playing cards, book, telescopic fishing rod, snorkel. 
• Tech - camera, phone power-bank, mobile phone. (You should get a 4G signal throughout the trip).   

You can fly to:

• Stockholm Skavsta (Ryanair) - 55 min bus transfer to Norrköping (Note! Stockholm Vasteras is not a suitable airport)
• 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
• Bromma Airport (Brussels Airlines), 20 min bus transfer plus 1 hr 45 min train

Weather in the Archipelago changes often and quickly. A summer day can bring you 33°C and sunshine, or 17°C and rain, but mostly it stays around 20–28°C. Expect some calm, hot and sunny days, and a couple of overcast, windier ones. Sometimes it rains, but it usually passes pretty quickly. Your host will text you the weather report every morning so you're prepared.

Water temperature depends on the weeks leading up to summer. Typical ranges are 14–19°C in early summer and autumn, and 19–24°C during peak summer.

• Kayaks
• Paddles
• Spraydeck to keep the water out
• Life jacket
• Paddle jacket (can also be used as a rain jacket)
• First aid kit 
• Bilge pump to remove any water from the kayak 
• Dry bags 
• Rolling deck compass & hand compass 
• Maps 
• Guide book 
• Cell phone 
• Haglöfs sleeping bag 
• Thermarest sleeping mat 
• Tent
• Head torches 
• Knife 
• Rope 
• Tarp 
• Spade 
• Folding saw 
• Drinking bottle
• Trangia gas stove & fuel 
• Lighters 
• Pop-up grill (in June & September) 
• Frying pan 
• Cooler
• Cooking and eating equipment

Yes. You get to repack your clothing and personal items into dry bags at the start point. Your host will store your luggage safely at the base and bring it to your endpoint on your last day.

Another great option if you’re flying into Stockholm Arlanda is to spend the night in Stockholm city (20 mins from airport), and take the train to Norrkoping in the morning (1 hour 45 mins).

The minimum age is 12, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian 

You are provided a cell phone with pre-programmed numbers. The whole area has reception, so if something happens you're only a phone call away from help. You can be reached by boat in under 30 minutes. Kayaking related emergencies are exceedingly rare.