The islands were built by the ocean
You only truly understand Lofoten from the sea – where the mountains rise straight out of the water and sea eagles glide above the mast. Cruises, fishing trips, kayaking, kiting, diving or a sauna by the shore: here are the experiences on and by the water.
Trollfjord cruise
From Svolvær, boats head into the Trollfjord – the dramatic inlet that narrows to around a hundred metres, with sheer rock walls on both sides. Choose a RIB for speed or a silent electric catamaran for calm; along the way there's a good chance of sea eagles close to the boat. Runs most of the year.
Sea-eagle safari
Lofoten has one of Europe's densest populations of white-tailed sea eagles – with wingspans up to around two and a half metres. The RIB safaris from Svolvær and the Reine area get impressively close to the birds, and are a guaranteed hit with all ages.
Whale safari
The nearest year-round whale destination is Andenes at the tip of Vesterålen, where sperm whales hunt in the deep-sea canyon just offshore. In the summer season, organised day trips run by bus from Svolvær – a national scenic route and a ferry crossing included, a RIB out to the whales, and a long, full day (start early from the base). In winter, orcas and humpbacks follow the herring: some years safari departures run in Lofoten itself, other years the fish stay further north – check the current situation before booking, and follow the Facebook group “Whale alert Lofoten” for fresh sightings.
Fishing trip
Hauling your own cod out of Lofoten waters is an experience that's hard to beat – and dinner takes care of itself. Trips in traditional and modern boats run from Ballstad and Svolvær among others; in winter you can join the skrei fishery itself. Most operators include gear and flotation suits.
Kayaking
Paddling between islets and skerries, with the mountains mirrored in the water, is Lofoten in slow motion. Guided trips and rentals are available in several places – including Ballstad and the Reine area – and in the midnight sun weeks, evening paddles are the highlight. Beginners should always choose a guided trip.
Kiting
When the wind picks up, the kites appear: kitesurfers favour the wide, shallow sand flats – Skagsanden and Rambergstranda among them – and on good days you'll spot them on the fjord flats right by the base too. Courses and rentals are scarce, so kiting here is first and foremost for riders with their own gear and experience. The sea is cold all year: a thick wetsuit or drysuit is part of the kit, and never ride alone. If you'd rather take on the waves on a board without a kite, see the surf page.
Diving
Below the surface, Lofoten is every bit as dramatic as above: cold, clear water, kelp forests and teeming fish life. In Ballstad, fifteen minutes from the base, a professional dive centre offers courses, guided dives and equipment rental – with a drysuit the season runs all year, and visibility is often at its best in winter. Beginners can try an introductory dive with an instructor, and experienced divers get help finding the best sites.
Sauna by the sea
The combination of a scorching sauna and an ice-cold ocean has become a Lofoten institution. Trevarefabrikken in Henningsvær has a sauna right on the shoreline, and several of the wharf lodges in Ballstad offer a sauna with a sea dip. And if you're staying with us: the cabin has its own sauna with a sea view – zero minutes' drive.
Rent your own boat
If you'd rather be your own skipper, small boats can be rented in several places around the islands – for example at Hovsund on Gimsøya, where a roomy, stable open boat with GPS and a fish finder can be hired for day trips and fishing. Stay close to shore when the wind picks up, and read the forecast carefully.