Five Days Between the Skerries: Kayak & Wildcamp Sweden’s Saint Anna Archipelago
A five-day sea-kayak traverse through Sweden’s maze of 6,000 islands—equal parts skill-building, solitude, and slow-burning wonder.
At dawn in the Saint Anna Archipelago, the Baltic breathes with you. A low swell shouldering the kayak, the sea whispers along granite ledges polished by ice and time. Gulls heckle from a skerry the size of a living room. Somewhere beyond the nearest fringe of islands, a white-tailed eagle rides a thermal, watching the lanes you’ll stitch between more than 6,000 islets over five days. The route is not a line; it’s a conversation. The channels tug, the wind negotiates, and you learn to listen.
Trail Wisdom
Read Wind and Fetch
Easterly winds build chop on the outer skerries—choose leeward lanes and shorter crossings when the Baltic starts shouldering your bow.
Pack Dry, Pack Light
Use multiple small dry bags to distribute weight in bow and stern; the kayak handles best when balanced and low on wind-catching bulk.
Practice Re-entries Early
Run a wet exit and re-entry on day one in sheltered water so the technique is ready if you capsize later in the trip.
Respect Allemansrätten
Wildcamp with care: pitch on durable surfaces, keep distance from homes and nesting islets, and leave the slab cleaner than you found it.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Ämtö Nature Reserve’s smooth granite slabs for sunset bivies
- •The outer Missjö skerries at dawn when the seals surface and the wind rests
Wildlife
Grey seal, White-tailed sea eagle
Conservation Note
Many islets are seasonal bird sanctuaries—observe closures and avoid landing near nesting colonies. Pack out all waste and minimize campfire use on sensitive rock.
The Saint Anna and neighboring Gryt archipelagos formed as ice retreated 10,000 years ago, exposing scoured granite and gneiss. Generations of fishers and pilots navigated these lanes long before modern markers.
Seasonal Guide
spring
Best for: Migratory birdlife, Cool-weather paddling
Challenges: Cold water, Unsettled wind patterns
Late April–May brings crisp air, long daylight, and spectacular bird activity. Dry suits or robust layers are recommended as the Baltic stays cold.
summer
Best for: Long daylight, Warmer water
Challenges: Mosquitoes on wooded islands, Busy weekends near mainland
June–August delivers stable weather, warmest water temps, and late sunsets for unhurried camp life. Outer skerries offer breeze and fewer bugs.
fall
Best for: Quiet camps, Golden light
Challenges: Shorter days, Stronger storms
September rewards with solitude and luminous sunsets. Expect cooler nights and pack extra insulation and a storm-ready mindset.
winter
Best for: Expert expeditions, Absolute solitude
Challenges: Frigid water, Limited daylight, Icing risk
Not typical for recreational trips; only advanced paddlers with proper gear and local knowledge should attempt winter sea kayaking here.
Photographer's Notes
What to Bring
Assorted Dry Bags (5–20L)Essential
Multiple sizes keep sleeping gear, clothing, and food separated and dry while balancing weight in the kayak.
Lightweight Synthetic Layers + Wind ShellEssential
Moisture-wicking base layers and a windproof shell manage cool breezes and variable spring/fall weather.
Neoprene Booties or Sturdy Water ShoesEssential
Protect feet during rocky launches and provide grip on wet granite slabs at camp.
Sun Protection Kit (Hat, Sunglasses, SPF 50, Lip Balm)Essential
Open water reflects sun—shield your skin and eyes during long, bright paddling days.
Common Questions
How far will we paddle each day?
Expect roughly 10–20 km per day depending on wind, sea state, and group goals, with breaks on sheltered islets.
Do I need prior sea kayaking experience?
Basic paddling fitness is important, and guides will teach and refresh essential techniques, including wet exits and assisted re-entries.
What is the camping like?
You’ll wildcamp on rock slabs and forest duff, cooking simple, hearty meals as a team and practicing Leave No Trace under Allemansrätten.
Will we see wildlife?
Common sightings include grey seals, eiders, oystercatchers, and white-tailed sea eagles. Keep respectful distances, especially near nesting islets.
Is the Baltic Sea salty?
The Baltic is brackish with low salinity, which slightly reduces buoyancy and can feel different from ocean paddling.
What happens in bad weather?
Routes adjust to conditions—guides choose leeward channels, shorten crossings, or pause travel until winds ease to keep the group safe.
What to Pack
1) Multiple small dry bags to keep gear watertight and properly trimmed in the kayak. 2) Quick-dry layers and a windproof shell for variable coastal weather. 3) Neoprene booties or water shoes for rocky launches and slick granite. 4) Sun kit (hat, polarized sunglasses, reef-safe SPF) for long reflective days on open water.
Did You Know
The Saint Anna and Gryt archipelagos comprise roughly 6,000 islands and skerries—one of Europe’s most densely clustered archipelago systems—shaped by retreating glaciers after the last Ice Age.
Quick Travel Tips
Fly into Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) or Arlanda (ARN) and rent a car for flexible access to launch sites. Bring a lightweight bug net for calm, wooded camps in midsummer. Download offline charts/maps; cell service can drop between outer islets. Carry a backup water treatment method for longer stretches between natural sources.
Local Flavor
Before or after your paddle, wander Söderköping’s cobbled lanes for a waterfront fika by the Göta Canal and a towering ice cream at the beloved local glassbar. Seek out a small smokehouse for hot-smoked Baltic herring or salmon, and cap the trip with a craft beer in Norrköping’s old industrial district turned cultural quarter.
Logistics Snapshot
Closest airports: Stockholm Skavsta (NYO, ~1.5–2 hrs by car) or Stockholm Arlanda (ARN, ~2.5–3 hrs). Typical launch points lie southeast of Söderköping in the Saint Anna islands. Expect patchy cell service among outer skerries. No permits required for wildcamping under Allemansrätten, but observe seasonal bird sanctuary closures and local signage.
Sustainability Note
This brackish archipelago is sensitive to disturbance—use existing tent pads on rock, avoid soap near the sea, keep clear of seal haul-outs, and adhere to seasonal bird protections. Pack out all waste and minimize fire scars on granite.
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