Norway is a northern country with the highest standard of living, famous for its fishing, deep fjords with clear and cold water, ancient Viking settlements, the reserved beauty of northern nature and extensive tourism opportunities in the summer. You can plan your sailing vacation in Norway in such a way as to avoid crowds near the most famous sights and at the same time see many interesting places on the map of this country. If you are interested in yacht charter or buying a boat in Norway or another region of the world, we advise you to contact the specialists of the company 2yachts - we always have up-to-date and advantageous offers that should suit your taste.
The Lofoten Islands are located in the Arctic Circle, about 900 km north of the Norwegian capital, Oslo. It is only about 50 km from the islands to the mainland coast of the country. Although the possibilities for sailing to the islands of the archipelago are limited, sailing trips are in demand in this region. The Lofoten Islands are a chain of land areas in the harsh Norwegian Sea, with unique nature, mountainous landscapes and picturesque fjords. They go here to enjoy cod fishing, anchor in picturesque fishing villages, breaking narrow fjords.
One of the most popular tourist spots in Lofoten is the city of Buda, near which the world's strongest tidal currents, Saltstraumen, flow. Buda is one of the most dynamic and young cities in the country, it has a rich cultural life, and many talented artists, jewelers, musicians and other representatives of creative professions live in the city. Near the town is the Bervasstindan mountain range, which provides excellent opportunities for hiking and mountaineering. Buda on the northern coast of Norway can be a great place to start your unforgettable journey through Lofoten - from here you can cross a wide bay (about 90 km wide) to find yourself on the western side of the archipelago. You can visit the extreme southern point of the archipelago - a village with a laconic name "O", which has the following attractions: a museum of dried fish, a museum of fishing villages and an old bakery.
You can then stop at the coastal village of Reine or Hamney to follow east along the southern edge of the scenic island chain and follow through the fjords to reach the northern islands of the archipelago.
Along the way, you can anchor in the most secluded places, away from human eyes and tourist noise, enjoying fishing in the rich northern waters and observing the beauty of the mountain scenery. Despite the fact that the sun does not set below the horizon here in summer, it does not shine as brightly as in many other regions suitable for yachting - therefore, you will definitely not be able to burn out in the sun on the Lofoten Islands.
The climate in Lofoten is maritime, temperate, formed under the influence of the warm current of the Gulf Stream. Therefore, despite the high latitudes, even in winter, the temperature here rarely drops below zero, and in summer the air can warm up to +30 degrees Celsius. The coldest months are January and February, from September to April you can observe the northern lights, and in the summer from May to July, the polar day sets here. The weather in Lofoten is changeable, but the variations of the light falling from the northern skies are extremely unusual, which is why many artists come here and there are many thematic photo exhibitions and art galleries in the archipelago. The typical landscape in Lofoten is the steeply rising mountains covered with dwarf birches and home to eagles and other birds. The nature here is so picturesque that many novels have been written about the islands, many poems have been dedicated to them, music has been written and many sculptures have been made in their honor.
One of the best impressions of visiting the islands among tourists is the passage of the Trollfjord, closely surrounded by granite rocks. The trollfjord must be crossed to reach the northern part of the islands - here you can almost physically feel how the rocks hang over you, threatening to collapse at any moment. After passing it, you can go to visit pristine bays, where many, renting a yacht in Norway, are sent to get acquainted with the beauties of this country. On the way, you can meet numerous representatives of the harsh northern fauna - sperm whales, whales, dolphins, killer whales, Arctic seals, minke whales, rare birds (gray herons, cormorants and even black-tailed curlew). Once you have found a suitable anchorage, you can head ashore to explore new places for yourself. Lofoten has a huge number of mountain ranges and peaks suitable for conquering.
It is enough to stock up on food, packing them in a backpack to go through the high thickets and undergrowth to the mountain peaks, where, quite possibly, a person has never set foot. And the sun shining around the clock in summer will not let you fall asleep, inviting you to another walk - thanks to the good weather, you can fully enjoy the beauty of nature. Northern beaches will not please you with a developed infrastructure, but ultramarine waters and white sand are guaranteed to you. Although the temperature in summer rarely exceeds +11 degrees, there are still people who want to swim. Lofoten is one of the most northerly surfing spots on the planet, and fans of the sport come to northern Norway in both summer and winter.
The Lofoten Islands have long been considered the center of the cod fishing; the fishing season for this northern fish lasts from January to March - at this time, cod spawns from the Barents Sea. The caught fish is processed and dried by hanging in the sun. At the same time, salt is not required at all - the fish is so dry that it can be stored for years. Now it is clear why the world's only dried cod museum is located in Lofoten.
The island is connected to the mainland by the motorway E-10, on the roads every now and then there are signs to be careful in connection with the possibility of the appearance of wild animals on the roadbed - deer, elk or sheep. Almost all of the island's attractions are located along the E-10, with the exception of the roads leading to Haukland and Kvalvika beaches.
Although the transitions between the cliffs can be confusing and difficult, yachting in the Lofoten Islands does not require any significant level of training; even beginners can cope with navigation in conditions of around-the-clock natural light and weak currents. Here you can consolidate and improve your skills, and the whole journey and the choice of anchorage places will depend on the changeable weather. Yachting in the waters off the Lofoten Islands can be one of the most unique yacht experiences of your life. Few have access to travel in northern Europe, accompanied by observation of the harsh and exciting landscapes. Although there are cruises that involve sailing along the northern islands of Norway, they cannot offer anything comparable to a personal visit to the Lofoten Fjords.