Sailing in Norway's Lofoten Islands

Where are the Lofoten islands?

The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago in northern Norway, just above the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic Ocean. Known for their dramatic peaks, beautiful sheltered inlets, and impossibly rugged coastline, the Lofoten Islands have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. They have been inhabited since the Viking Age and have played a significant role in Viking culture and politics. They are renowned for their tradition of cod fishing, which has been a cornerstone of the local economy since the 1100s. This fishing industry led to the development of the iconic red fishermen’s cabins, known as “rorbuer,” which dot the landscape.

Sailing through the islands in the summer is a unique and unforgettable adventure. As we navigate along the rugged coastline in 24/7 daylight due to the high altitude, you’ll be mesmerized by the gorgeous islands, mountains, fjords, and remote fishing villages. Every day, we anchor somewhere new, and there is walking and exploring unmatched anywhere else we sail, with stunning views of the surrounding coast. The area is also rich in wildlife; you will likely see seals, sea eagles, puffins, and more. Mountain lovers will be in heaven! This is our most popular 12-day sailing adventure and an absolute must! We also sail here from the Faroe Islands, making a superb back-to-back option.

Here are some of the possible stops and highlights.

Please note that some Lofotens trips start and end in Bodo, while others go between Bodo and Tromso. There is very little difference in the experience. Please check the Dates & Prices tab for your trip’s start and finish locations.

Time to learn the ropes en route to Landegode

The first day is all about getting up to speed with the boat. Whether you are a complete novice or a more experienced sailor, everyone benefits from detailed introductions, safety briefings, and training sessions. You will have two highly experienced instructors to guide you through every aspect you need to know to have a great sailing holiday. By lunchtime, we should be casting off the lines and ready for some sail training, hoisting the sails, and working through all the key sailing maneuvers such as tacking and gybing, reefing, and knot tying! 

Everyone on board should feel comfortable with the basics by the end of the day, even though there’s always more to learn and practice. We’ll probably anchor overnight at the stunning southern tip of Landegode. Here, we can catch fresh fish and head ashore for an impromptu beach BBQ. We are in the middle of the world’s biggest population of white-tailed sea eagles, and it’s lovely to watch these magnificent birds take off from their nests and dive down towards the sea to catch fish.

 While it’s beautiful just sitting here taking in the views, there are also some gorgeous hikes ashore, and for those who want to, we can head down to the famous lighthouse, which has been working away since 1901. Bathed in the midnight sun, the whole island is magical.

Sail to and explore Reine.

It’s a lovely 60nm sail across the bay to the Lofoten Islands. Norwegians call this spectacular archipelago jutting out from the northern coast of their country the ‘wall of the Lofoten,’ and there’s no questioning why. The islands form a vast, jagged barrier, extending more than 150 miles north to south, with snow-capped mountains plunging into the sea. You’ll soon know why the Lofotens are regularly voted one of the world’s most beautiful island archipelagos.

Everywhere here is just so … dramatic! Immaculate, crisp Arctic air and sea so clear that nothing is hidden below. Wherever we stop daily, those who love hiking are spoilt for routes and incredible views. Those who love to fish will catch cod, mackerel, monkfish, and more. Brightly painted wooden houses called Rorbuer are dotted all around. These simple, colorful huts were home to the thousands of fishermen arriving in the Lofotens between February and March every year, chasing the cod that migrated from the Barents Sea to spawn.

Meaning ‘Queen,’ Reine looks like it has been taken from a picture postcard and is always a huge favorite of our crews. Located on the island of Moskenesøya, we can take the inland ferry to the island’s western edge, where there are some fantastic hikes and spectacular views across the Lofoten mountains. The beautiful village is also great to explore with local curiosities such as its fishing museum and vast racks of drying cod. Hiking up the hills here will reward you like nowhere else on earth. The views are simply stunning. To the north, you can see the islands, one after the other, lined up to the horizon. Look south, and you can see the infamous Moskenes whirlpool, the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s story, A Descent into the Maelstrom.

Nusfjord

Now, we sail north to Nusfjord, halfway between Svolvær and Å. Hidden away between towering cliffs, we love this little outpost. It feels like a step back in time. It is one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fishing villages, and many believe it is one of the prettiest villages in northern Norway. Towering bare crags surround it, and its red and yellow wooden buildings are in sharp contrast to the fearsome cliffs all around. Many artists consider Nusfjord to be the essence of Lofoten. High praise indeed!

Digermulen

Tonight, we’ll maybe sail north to the anchorage at Digermulen. This is hidden away and a magical place to spend the night, with towering cliffs and beautiful shorelines to hop along and explore; we could have a quiet fishing trip or a kayak trip and enjoy the most beautiful views as we go. You’ll feel blessed to be there. 

Skrova

A little more northeast today as we sail for the anchorage at Skrova. Once we head ashore, we’ll BBQ the day’s catch, and then you can hike up the hill for more lovely views.

Raftsund and Trollfjord

We now sail into the amazing Raftsund, a 25km long fjord flanked by dramatic mountains, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear Arctic water. Coming into the narrow entrance to Trollfjord is impressive, with the cliffs reaching up to 1000 meters high on either side. It all gives the fjord a truly dramatic appearance. Legend has it many of the rocks here are frozen trolls. Who knows! If the weather is good, we may spend the night there and hike up the mountain for some more amazing views and photos.

Exploring the coast north to Tromso

If you are on a route that sails north to Tromso (not all do – check dates and prices!) then the next two days will be navigating toward this beautiful city and the chance to explore more of the dramatic landscape of the Lofoten archipelago and the Norwegian mainland. We will likely see Musk Oxen, and there are so many hidden anchorages, harbors, and islands to explore we could happily spend all summer here. It is also our best chance for some whale watching. But soon, we see the beautiful arctic cathedral in Tromso come into view, and we are at the end of our summer sailing adventure. How did this end so soon? Now you know why sailing and exploring Norway’s Lofoten Islands is among the most fantastic, most rewarding adventure holidays possible!