Fishing cabins on a rocky islet at Hamnoy, Lofoten, below cloud-wrapped mountains

Lofotenunder sail

Eight days aboard a 1936 gaff ketch, from Svolvær to Reine, under a sun that barely sets in June.

Next departure12 to 19 Jun 2027, from €3,980

Lofoten looks best from the water. Eight guests, three crew and a skipper who has sailed these fjords for twenty summers: we go where the wind sends us, anchor in coves with names like Skrova and Nusfjord, and walk ashore when the weather lets us.

Region: Lofoten, Norway
Length: 8 days, 7 nights
Group: 8 guests, 3 crew
Fitness: 2 of 5, sailing is optional
Season: June to September
Vessel: S/V Sørvær, 1936

Itinerary

Day 7, Reinebringen from ReineThe stone staircase, 3.2 km return, 448 m of ascent

Day 1

Board in Svolvær
Svolvær harbour
Meet Maja and the crew at the quay at 16:00. Stow your bags, meet your cabin mate, and sail out through the Svolvær straits for a first anchorage at Skrova by ten, when the light is still gold.

Overnight
On board, at Skrova
Distance
9 nm
High point
sea level
Day 2

Raftsund and the Trollfjord
Raftsundet
We motor up Raftsundet in the morning calm and ease into the Trollfjord, a 2 km granite slot only 100 m wide at its narrowest. Sea eagles nest on the cliffs. We sail back at six with the wind, and eat at anchor.

Overnight
On board, in Digermulen
Distance
26 nm
High point
sea level
Day 3

A day to sail
Vestfjorden
Sails up in the open Vestfjord and a long reach under 20 knots of north-westerly. Everyone takes a turn at the helm. Afterwards, a hot supper of Lofoten cod and boiled potatoes in the saloon.

Overnight
On board, at Skrova
Distance
32 nm
High point
sea level
Day 4

Henningsvær
Henningsvær
The “Venice of Lofoten” sits on islets at the end of a long road. A morning walk up to the old football pitch on a rock, coffee at a harbour roastery, an afternoon to swim in 12 °C water or not.

Overnight
Rorbu cabin, Henningsvær
Distance
14 nm
High point
60 m
Day 5

Round the corner
Vestvågøy to Nusfjord
Our longest passage, 28 nm, with the wind behind us. We anchor under the cliffs at Nusfjord, one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Norway, and walk through the old cod-liver oil works.

Overnight
On board, at Nusfjord
Distance
28 nm
High point
40 m
Day 6

The Moskstraumen
To Å i Lofoten
We time the passage to Å with the tide, to pass the Maelstrom at slack water. It is not a whirlpool, but a belligerent flow between Moskenesøya and Værøy. In the afternoon we sail into Å, the last village on the road.

Overnight
On board, at Å
Distance
26 nm
High point
sea level
Day 7

Reine and the staircase
Reine
A last short sail to Reine, the village in every Lofoten photograph. In the afternoon we climb Reinebringen on a stone staircase built by Nepali sherpas, for the view that the photographs were taken from.

Overnight
Rorbu cabin, Reine
Distance
8 nm
High point
448 m
Day 8

Farewell in Reine
Reine and Leknes
After breakfast, a last coffee on the quay. A shuttle takes you to Leknes airport (LKN) or to the Bodø ferry in Moskenes. Check-out is at 10:00.

Overnight
Not included
Distance
Road, 1.5 h
High point
sea level

Route map

Lofoten archipelago, Nordland. Stops are overnight places or the walking days that matter.

What is included

Included

7 nights: 5 aboard in shared twin cabins, 2 in harbour rorbu cabins
All meals aboard and in the villages, except two dinners ashore
Skipper, mate and cook, and Nordvik sailing guide
Reinebringen guiding, Trollfjord shore walk and harbour excursions
Fuel, harbour fees, bed linen and towels
Wet-weather gear, buoyancy aids and boots if you need them

Not included

Flights to Leknes (LKN) or Evenes (EVE)
Travel to Svolvær and from Reine (about €90 in bus tickets)
Two dinners ashore (about €60 each)
Travel and rescue insurance, which is compulsory
Tips for the crew

Gear and fitness

Level 2 of 5 Moderate

You do not need to sail. You do need to be able to step on and off a deck, carry your bag on a gangway, and walk uphill for an hour. The Reinebringen steps are steep, but you can skip them.

On board

Soft-sided duffel, not a hard suitcase
Waterproof jacket and trousers (the ship has loaners)
Non-slip soft-soled shoes for the deck, and warm socks
Wool or fleece layers for the evenings
Hat, gloves and sunglasses with a retaining strap

For walking

Light waterproof boots or trail shoes
Daypack, 20 litres
Trekking poles for the Reinebringen steps, if you like

Personal

Sea-sickness tablets if you tend to need them
Swimsuit and a travel towel
Sleeping-bag liner for the rorbu nights
Camera with a spare card and battery

We supply

Wet-weather gear in all sizes and buoyancy aids
Bedding, towels and a nightly hot water bottle
Safety equipment and life rafts, checked each year by the Norwegian Maritime Authority

A full packing list with brands we trust is in Planning.

Weather and season

Svolvær, LofotenShaded: the months this expedition runs. Bars are average daily low to high. The line is hours of daylight.

Dates and prices

Departures and prices for Lofoten Under Sail
Dates	Length	Availability	Price per person	Action
12 to 19 Jun 2027	8 days	2 places left	€3,980	Enquire about 12 to 19 Jun 2027
26 Jun to 3 Jul 2027	8 days	3 places left	€3,980	Enquire about 26 Jun to 3 Jul 2027
17 to 24 Jul 2027	8 days	5 places left	€4,180	Enquire about 17 to 24 Jul 2027
7 to 14 Aug 2027	8 days	6 places left	€4,180	Enquire about 7 to 14 Aug 2027
28 Aug to 4 Sep 2027	8 days	8 places left	€3,980	Enquire about 28 Aug to 4 Sep 2027
11 to 18 Sep 2027	8 days	8 places left	€3,780	Enquire about 11 to 18 Sep 2027

Prices are per person in a twin room or shared cabin, in euros. Single supplement €720. A 20% deposit secures your place; the balance falls due 60 days before departure. Groups run with 4 guests or more. Booking terms

Questions

Do I have to help sail?

No, but most guests do. Maja runs a short briefing on the first day. Nobody is made to steer in a gale.

Is there a toilet and a shower?

Two heads and one hot shower, shared. Most nights we shower ashore. The rorbu cabins have private bathrooms.

What happens if the weather turns?

We have an engine and a second option for every passage. In 2025 we lost one day out of 24 to wind. If the weather forces a change, we stay in harbour, and you will not lose a night.

Can I see the aurora?

From late August, sometimes. The midnight sun lasts from late May to mid July. In the last departure of September, the nights are dark enough for the aurora, and the water is warm enough for a swim.

Is it suitable for children?

From 14 years, with an adult. A full-ship private charter for families is available in July.