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Stockholm Winter Kayaking: Vaxholm Archipelago & Swedish Sauna

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/17

Duration3h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Paddle past 500-year-old Vaxholm Fortress in winter silence, then warm up in a Swedish sauna

You paddle a fully equipped sea kayak around Vaxholm's fortress and fishing villages in the Stockholm archipelago, 30 minutes from the city center. The tour includes a drysuit, gloves, boots, and warm drinks during the paddle. Winter means you'll have the water largely to yourself, with views of 16th-century fortifications and traditional Swedish architecture. The whole outing takes three to four hours, and you return to Stockholm by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Drive 30 minutes from Stockholm to Vaxholm
Explore Vaxholm Fortress and Citadel
Kayak around Vaxholm archipelago
Enjoy warm drinks during kayaking
Visit Norrhammen fishing cottages and summer cafe
Discover Bogesundslandet nature reserve
See Resarö Island and Ytterby Mine

The Experience

"In winter, you have the archipelago to yourself," our guide said as we pushed the kayaks into the water. That sentence stayed with me the whole morning. Vaxholm sits 30 minutes from central Stockholm, but once you're paddling between the islands, the city feels like another world entirely. The fortress — built by King Gustav Vasa back in the 1500s — rises up from the water in pale stone, and you pass close enough to see the details of the walls. No crowds, no noise except the paddle hitting the water and the occasional call of a bird.

The kayak itself feels solid under you, and they give you a drysuit so you're genuinely warm, not just pretending. Gloves, boots, a spray skirt that keeps the water out — it's the kind of gear that makes you realize they've thought about what happens when it's cold. We paddled past Norrhammen, where traditional fishing cottages line the northern harbor, their red walls reflected in the still water. The guide pointed out Bogesundslandet, one of Stockholm's largest nature reserves, with its old oak trees and green meadows visible from the water. You're moving slowly enough to actually see things — the architecture, the way the light hits the islands, the texture of the landscape — instead of just passing through it.

After the paddle, there's hot coffee and tea waiting, which tastes better than it has any right to. The whole experience runs about three to four hours depending on conditions, and the timing means you're back in the city by early afternoon. Winter kayaking around Vaxholm isn't about adrenaline or covering distance; it's about being on the water when most people aren't, and feeling the difference that makes.

What’s included

Your day includes a fully equipped sea kayak with paddle, spray skirt, and life vest, a drysuit in your size, boots, gloves, and a rain hat.
You'll get a waterproof bag to keep your belongings dry and hot coffee or tea during the paddle.
Transport from Stockholm to Vaxholm and back is arranged, and the guide provides local stories and knowledge of the archipelago as you paddle.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Skärgårdens Kanotcenter | Kayaks & Outdoor

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle the Stockholm archipelago without arranging your own boat, gear, or route — the guide handles the timing and navigation so you can focus on the water and the landscape.