Stockholm: Vaxholm Archipelago Kayaking & Fika

Paddle through thousands of islands where Stockholm's archipelago begins

You paddle a fully equipped sea kayak through Stockholm's Vaxholm Archipelago, passing the 1500s fortress, gliding past nature reserves and traditional fishing villages, and stopping for fika coffee and snacks mid-tour. The route covers thousands of islands and skerries at a pace that lets you actually see the landscape instead of rushing through it. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and be comfortable swimming. The tour suits most fitness levels and public transport reaches the start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak tour around Vaxholm Archipelago

• Explore Vaxholm Fortress
• Pass by Bogesundslandet nature reserve
• Visit Norrhammen fishing cottages and cafe
• See Resarö Island and Ytterby Mine

The experience

"So we're actually kayaking out to where the fortress is?" That's the question most people ask in the first five minutes, and yeah: Vaxholm Fortress sits right there between the islands, built back in the 1500s by King Gustav Vasa to defend Stockholm. You paddle past it, not around it. The kayak tour takes you through the heart of the archipelago, where there are literally thousands of islands, islets and skerries scattered across the water, and Vaxholm itself is the center of it all. Your guide knows which channels to take and where the wildlife actually shows up.

The day starts with a fully equipped sea kayak (paddle, spray skirt, life vest all included), and you'll get a waterproof bag so your phone and clothes stay dry. Bogesundslandet, one of Stockholm's largest nature reserves, comes into view pretty quickly: green meadows, old oak trees, farms with horses grazing. It's the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people say the archipelago is different from the rest of Sweden. You stop at Norrhammen, where traditional fishing cottages line the north harbour on Vaxholm, and there's a small museum and summer café there if you want to stretch your legs. The whole thing moves at a pace that lets you actually see things instead of just rushing through them.

Then there's the fika: that Swedish coffee and cake tradition that happens mid-tour. Coffee or tea, snacks, a moment to sit on the water and just breathe. It's not rushed. After that you paddle toward Resarö Island and the area around Ytterby, which is genuinely strange when you learn about it: this tiny town is the only place in the world with four elements named after it on the periodic table. Your guide will probably mention that. You need to be able to swim and be in decent physical shape (the minimum height is 1.50 m and maximum is 1.95 m, and there's a weight limit of 110 kg), but the tour works for most fitness levels as long as you're comfortable in a kayak for a few hours. If you're traveling with kids, one adult needs to go with each child.

Bring appropriate outdoor clothing for whatever weather Stockholm's throwing at you that day, a rain jacket, sandals, a change of clothes in case you get wet, sun protection and sunglasses with a strap so they don't end up in the Baltic. If you want to swim, bring swimwear and a towel. Public transport gets you to the starting point, so you don't need a car to make this work.

What’s included

• Your day includes a fully equipped sea kayak with paddle, spray skirt and life vest, a waterproof bag for your belongings, bottled water, snacks, and a fika break with coffee or tea.
• You'll paddle past Vaxholm Fortress, explore Bogesundslandet nature reserve, visit the traditional fishing cottages at Norrhammen, and paddle toward Resarö Island and the Ytterby area.
• Public transportation reaches the starting point.

Options for this experience

4 options

Half-day without pickupGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Tour meets at 10:00 at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter Kayaks & Outdoor, Resarövägen 10, 185 51 Vaxholm, Sweden. Duration: 4 hours.

Full-day without pickupGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Duration: 6 hours. Outdoor lunch is included. Pickup is not included. Starting point: Skärgårdens Kanotcenter Kayaks & Outdoor, Resarövägen 10, 185 51 Vaxholm, Sweden

Half-day tour departing from City CenterGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Duration: 6 hours, including transfer time. Pickup is included.

Full-day tour from City CenterGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Duration: 8 hours. Outdoor lunch is included, and pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Skärgårdens Kanotcenter | Kayaks & Outdoor

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to explore Stockholm's archipelago without arranging your own boat or navigation. The guide handles the route and timing, which is what makes it possible to see the fortress, nature reserves and fishing villages in one outing. You'll need to be comfortable swimming and in decent physical shape, and meet the height and weight requirements.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years). Children under 16 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the kayaking tour?

The itinerary shows a full-day structure with multiple stops including Vaxholm Fortress, Bogesundslandet nature reserve, Norrhammen fishing cottages, and Resarö Island. Exact duration should be confirmed with the operator.

What's included in the tour?

Fully equipped sea kayak with paddle, spray skirt and life vest; waterproof bag; bottled water; snacks; coffee and/or tea during fika break.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No prior experience is required, but you need to be able to swim and be in good physical condition. Height range is 1.50 m to 1.95 m, and maximum weight is 110 kg.

What should I bring?

Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, rain jacket, sandals, change of clothes, sun protection, secured sunglasses, and swimwear and towel if you plan to swim.

Is this tour suitable if I have a medical condition?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. Check with your doctor if you have concerns.

How do I get to the starting point?

Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the tour start location.

What's Fika?

Fika is a Swedish coffee and cake tradition. Your tour includes a coffee or tea break with snacks during the paddle.