Archipelago Escape – 2 Days of Nature, Culture & Coastal Charm

Discover the best of the Stockholm Archipelago with this 2-day kayaking trip, combining nature, charming villages, and historical landmarks.

Day 1: Bogesund Nature Reserve, Tynningö & Björnholmen

Begin your journey through the magnificent Bogesund Nature Reserve, once home to Viking settlements nearly 1,000 years ago. Today, this area is a peaceful landscape of green meadows, ancient oak trees, and farms with grazing horses.

Keep an eye out for wildlife – beavers, ospreys, and even white-tailed sea eagles may appear along your route. Coastal birds such as oystercatchers, grey herons, and cormorants are common sights here.

Around midday, you can enjoy a relaxed lunch at Bryggan på Tenö, a cozy restaurant by the water’s edge, which also has a small beach perfect for a refreshing swim.

In the afternoon, continue your journey along the shoreline of Tynningö, a 7-kilometre-long island with a rich and fascinating history. The name Tynningö may date back to the Viking Age, and over the centuries the island has changed hands many times. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it passed through various owners before being divided into smaller farms in the 19th century. Agricultural activity continued on the island until the 1980s.

At the beginning of the 20th century, parts of Tynningö were subdivided and sold as summer plots to vacationers who would arrive by steamboat. The island gradually developed into a beloved summer destination, dotted with traditional Swedish houses, charming cottages, and quiet farmland.

Tynningö is still connected to the mainland and surrounding archipelago by ferry – with regular boat services to Stockholm and Vaxholm, as well as a car ferry linking the eastern side of the island to Norra Lagnö. Historically, there were several general stores serving the islanders. In 1951, one of them became one of Sweden’s very first self-service shops, marking the island’s small but notable contribution to the country’s retail history.

Today, about 400 people live on Tynningö year-round, with the population doubling in the summer as holidaymakers return to their seasonal homes. As you paddle past its quiet shores, you’ll see a mix of rustic cottages, well-preserved old farms, and typical Swedish summer houses – a peaceful glimpse into island life, past and present.

After a fulfilling day, make your way to Björnholmen island, where our remote Base Camp offers a peaceful night surrounded by nature.

Day 2: Oxdjupet, Stegesundet & Vaxholm Fortress

After breakfast on Björnholmen, continue paddling towards the open waters of Oxdjupet, a deep and historically significant strait that serves as one of the main shipping routes into Stockholm. This area offers a dramatic contrast to the calm fjords of Bogesund, with wider waters and passing ferries and ships heading to and from the capital.

From Oxdjupet, head towards Stegesundet, a narrow and exceptionally picturesque channel between Skarpö and Stegesund, just outside Vaxholm. This is one of the most charming straits in the Stockholm Archipelago, known for its peaceful waters and elegant summer villas from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As you glide through, you’ll pass Waxholmsbolaget and Cinderella ferries sharing the route with small leisure boats. Stegesundet’s idyllic scenery, historic houses and boathouses create a postcard-perfect view.

As you approach Vaxholm, Sweden’s “capital of the archipelago,” you’ll encounter the imposing Vaxholm Fortress (Vaxholms Kastell), which has protected the city since the 16th century. This historic fortification stands on its own island and is one of the most iconic sights in the area.

Depending on your pace, you can make a stop at Vaxholm’s Norrhamn, where you’ll find cozy cafés and bakeries – the perfect spot for a traditional Swedish fika before returning to the kayak center.