Photo: Petr Šmerkl, Wikipedia ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Sailing above the Arctic Circle.
Lofoten at 68 degrees north: mountains rising a kilometre from the sea, red rorbu cabins on stilts, cod drying on racks and a sun that does not set at all from late May to mid-July. We start at Svolvær, squeeze into the 100-metre-wide Trollfjord, follow the coast to Reine and return. Nights in fishing harbours, legs of 15–30 miles, cold water — but an evening that lasts until morning.
- Trollfjord: rock walls almost brushing the shrouds
- Henningsvær, a village on skerries with its famous football pitch
- Reine and the hike up Reinebringen (448 m)
- Midnight sun from the deck at sea
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Svolvær and boat handover
We meet in Svolvær harbour at 17:00, take over the yacht and fit oilskins and boots. Provisioning, then a walk under a sun that will not set.
Overnight: Yacht, Svolvær harbour - DAY 2 · 8 nautical miles
Svolvær to Skrova
An 8-mile warm-up to the island of Skrova with its white beaches and whaling past. We get to know the boat and practise reefing.
Overnight: Yacht, Skrova harbour - DAY 3 · 22 nautical miles
Trollfjord and Digermulen
Across the Vestfjord to Raftsundet and into Trollfjord — two kilometres long, a hundred metres wide, walls a kilometre high. Night at Digermulen.
Overnight: Yacht, Digermulen harbour - DAY 4 · 25 nautical miles
Digermulen to Henningsvær
Twenty-five miles back across the Vestfjord to Henningsvær, a village on skerries beneath Vågakallen. Cod racks and galleries in a former fish factory in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Henningsvær harbour - DAY 5 · 28 nautical miles
Henningsvær to Nusfjord
The longest leg: 28 miles south-west along the outer coast to Nusfjord, one of Norway’s oldest fishing villages. A night among the rorbu.
Overnight: Yacht, Nusfjord harbour - DAY 6 · 14 nautical miles, 2-hour hike
Nusfjord to Reine
Fourteen miles to Reine, Lofoten’s most photographed village. After lunch we climb Reinebringen by the sherpa-built stone stairway (448 m) for a view over the whole fjord.
Overnight: Yacht, Reine harbour - DAY 7 · 46 nautical miles
Reine to Svolvær
A long 46-mile run back up the Vestfjord with the wind behind. We arrive late in the evening in full daylight for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Yacht, Svolvær harbour - DAY 8 · Check-out
Check-out
Yacht back by 10:00. Svolvær airport is ten minutes away, with flights via Bodø.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Berth in a double cabin on a 40–50 ft sailing yacht
Professional skipper for the whole week
Yacht insurance and the boat’s security deposit
Bed linen, towels, dinghy with outboard
Final cleaning of the yacht
Ivan’s support: preparation, watches, daily debriefs
Transfer between Svolvær airport and the harbour; oilskins and boots on loan
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty: provisioning, marina fees, fuel, water — usually €250–350 per person
Dinners in tavernas ashore
Guest harbour fees (€30–50 a night)
Restaurant dinners in Norway cost noticeably more than in the Mediterranean
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
At least one previous sailing trip and readiness for 8–14 °C. Before departure Ivan goes through clothing, watches and what to do when the wind suddenly funnels between the mountains.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.