Kayaking Along the Norwegian Coast: The Best Routes
Best Kayaking Routes Along the Norwegian Coast
A kayaking trip along the Norwegian coast is a paradise where everyone has the opportunity to feel the wonderful sea air and the varied nature. With over 20,000 kilometers of coastline, it is possible to get close to everything from fjords to open sea, and there are many great routes to choose from for an unforgettable experience. Get inspiration for your next kayaking trip here!
Get Out on the Water
It’s not hard to find a paddling adventure in Norway, as there are many good opportunities to rent a kayak along the entire coast. If you’re not yet confident in kayaking, there are options to join organized courses and group paddling tours. This way, you will have support from all participants, in addition to the chance to make new acquaintances. Whether you sign up for an organized tour or not, it’s always smart to go with someone. Then you can help each other in case something happens.
Remember that many places require a wet card to rent a kayak. A wet card is a certificate from the Norwegian Paddling Association (NPF). You can choose whether you want a simple introductory course or a basic course. The introductory course takes three hours to complete, will give you basic knowledge in paddling, including paddling techniques and buddy rescue. The basic course, which lasts two days, goes through several paddling techniques, as well as self-rescue and buddy rescue. As a bonus, you will also learn about tour leadership, outdoor life, and navigation. Participating in such a course is both educational and social, in addition to making you safer when you go on a kayaking trip.
Oslofjord: Short Trips on Warm Days
Many go to Oslo to get a taste of city life, but both nature and the waterfront are just a stone’s throw away. Oslofjord is perfect for kayaking, and gives you the opportunity to see Oslo from a different angle. In Oslofjord, there are many small islands and islets you can paddle around or take a break on – close to the city, but still far from a hectic everyday life. In Vestfjorden in the inner Oslofjord, you can also stop by Søndre Kaholmen where you find Oscarsborg Fortress.
Ryfylke: More Than Just Preikestolen
Another place that is ideal for kayaking is the area around Ryfylke. Ryfylke is perhaps best known for Preikestolen, but also has many other exciting experiences to offer. Both Lysefjorden, Boknafjorden, and the entire stretch between them are perfect for a long day on the water, and with a varied landscape of tiny islets and high mountains, there is much to explore. If you choose to paddle in Lysefjorden, we recommend that you start in Lysebotn and take a day trip to Flørli. For the extra fit, this can be combined with climbing Flørli 4444, the world’s longest wooden staircase up the mountain with 4444 steps.
In Jørpeland, often referred to as Preikestolen Village, you can also rent a kayak and go on a paddling tour to discover small hidden islets and islands. A great day trip from Jørpeland would be to paddle around Jørpelandsholmen. This is an easy trip that suits both adults and children, and you will paddle past Solspeilet, a beautiful sculpture. Close to Jørpeland, you also find Solbakk, where you can paddle ashore to take a closer look at the rock carvings. If you are interested in birds, a good starting point would be Finnøy. Just south of Finnøy, you can paddle through Vignesholmane. This is a protected archipelago with a bustling bird life. Remember that you are not allowed to land on Vignesholmane, but you can enjoy the view from your kayak.
Southern Norway’s Coastline: Pearls on a String
While it’s fun to take the kayak out on a day trip, it can be especially rewarding to go on a kayaking adventure over several days. Southern Norway’s coastline is perfect for this. One of the best kayaking routes stretches from Arendal to Tønsberg, where you can swing by cozy Southern towns like Tvedestrand, Risør, and Kragerø along the way. There are also many small islets and islands along the coast where you can pitch a tent to stay overnight. The route from Arendal to Tønsberg can take two to three days if you are quick with the paddle, but if you want to experience more nature and swing by the Southern pearls, we recommend that you set aside 5-7 days to complete the trip.
Remember that you do not need to paddle the entire route. Southern Norway has idyllic archipelagos, so here it can also be enough with a day trip. From Kragerø, you can paddle out to Skåtøy to visit the cozy summer café, or further out to Jomfruland to wander around and enjoy the fresh sea air. On Jomfruland, the white anemone blooming in the spring is beautiful to experience, and you will not encounter many tourists at this time. It is also possible to paddle the classic Blindleia. It takes you inshore from Lillesand almost all the way to Kristiansand.
More Fun: Arctic Sea Kayak Race
How about signing up for the world’s most beautiful paddling festival? In Vesterålen, you have the opportunity to join a kayaking festival that lasts for 6 days, and offers something for everyone. You will find several courses, paddling trips, and a wonderful community of people who all love being out on the water. If you are not ready to join a festival just yet, Vesterålen is still a fantastic starting point. You can lodge in a traditional fisherman’s cabin and go on day trips between dramatic mountain landscapes and chalk-white beaches to lower your pulse.
Just around the corner from Vesterålen, you also find WonderInn’s Arctic mirror cabin, where you can paddle from Borkenes out to the idyllic island of Kvæøya. We also offer a hot tub or sauna where you can relax your shoulders after a full day of paddling. One of the best things about planning a paddling trip northward in the summer is that you can take the kayak out on the sea whenever you want. The midnight sun gives you access to nature around the clock, without having to worry about it getting dark!
