I’m interested in doing a half-day to one day sea kayaking trip in Norway this summer to see the fjords from water level.
Will be my first time in Scandinavia and could have a week or two to travel around the region other than the day spent kayaking
Can any of you experts steer me in the right direction to get started?
Thank you
EDIT: I have kayaked before
I've done this, pre pandemic. My husband and I divided our tine between Oslo & Bergen. In Bergen we rented a car and drove to the Naeroyfjord for a half day kayaking trip. I don't remember the outfit we used. They provided everything - the kayaks, wetsuits, small waterproof gear bags, and lunch. The fjord was stunning. We did some exploring on land (a waterfall, a beautiful little church) as well as several hours of kayaking. My husband is a very experienced kayaker, I was not. We both thought the fjord was the highlight of our trip.
My daughter and I are doing a sea-kayaking tour along the Naeroyfjord this summer in July with Nordic Ventures. My son-in-law and grandson did it a couple of years ago and really liked it a lot, so we're doing it this year. I'm really looking forward to it. They provide lunch, equipment, kayak and they tell you exactly what you need to bring. The Naeroyfjord is a wonderful place to go kayaking because it's one of the narrowest fjords there is and the scenery is very dramatic.
Here is a link to the outfit we’re using. You will also find it with a few other places, but it’s the same tour. This is the original one and the others are just acting as booking agents. https://nordicventures.com/norway-tours/half-day-tours-gudvangen-norway/
I should add that we are doing the half-day sea kayaking tour, but they do offer a full day tour as well. You can find more info here: https://nordicventures.com/norway-tours/naeroyfjord-norway-day-tour/
For what it’s worth we’re spending the night before in Voss, then joining the kayak tour and then continuing our drive towards Alesund.
Mardee's post jogged my memory - Nordic Ventures is the company we used as well.
Kayla, your situation was very similar to mine. My daughter is an experienced kayaker and me, not so much. But I still think it will be fun. I’m really looking forward to it.
Mardee, if you have kayaked before you won't have any trouble. I had kayaked a few times. The ones in the group who had never kayaked before stuck close to the guide but the rest of us would paddle ahead, then circle back.
I'm envious! I'd do that kayak outing again in a heartbeat.
In 2023, we picked up our rental car (electric, since it’s Norway) in Bergen, and drove in and around fjord country for a week and a half, eventually winding up as far north as Stranda, leading to the Geirangerfjord. We did hiking just outside of town, but in late September, hadn’t considered sea kayaking. For a lunch/snack, we also found a small bakery/cafe in town, Hygge by Uteguiden, that had sea kayaks leaning against the building, just outside the door.
It turned out that the main business, Uteguiden, was an outfitter and guide company. I looked up their Website just now, and they do offer multiple sea kayaking options, along with other adventures. Here it is: https://uteguiden.com/en/activity/sea-kayak
P.S. the cafe had great sandwiches and baked treats, too!
I'm very excited about it, Kayla—and I have kayaked before, in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, but it's been a while for me. I think they have two-seater kayaks as well, so I don't know if we'll do that or just each get our own. I'm fine with either.
moss, you will really love it. That area is just gorgeous and the Naeroyfjord is beautiful. As we're doing, you could always spend the night in Voss, which is about a 15-20 minute drive from Gudvangen. Will you have a car? If not, you could take the train to Voss, and then I think there's a bus to Gudvangen.
In August 2024, my daughter and I kayaked on the Lysefjord with Nordic Paddling. We had a great time! We were staying in Stavanger when we did this excursion.
