Norway Sailing, Lofoten Islands

Sailing in the magical Norwegian Lofoten islands with some of the best scenery in the world. Become part of this extraordinary landscape on an eye catching traditional schooner, take a walk ashore, catch a fish for dinner, and become a key part of the ship’s crew.

Places we might visit include Røst, Sørvågen, Henningsvær, Skrova, and Kabelvåg – the exact itinerary will evolve while you are onboard according to the wind direction.

If you like to get out for a walk up a steep hill bring some suitable footwear.

About Life Onboard

The sailing and the company were great, as expected – the real revelation was Norway, which was stunningly beautiful, an intricate mixture of mountains, fjords and islands big and small, wonderful colours, villages and hamlets nestled into the landscape, all seemingly without end. 

Stephen 

Arriving In Bodø And The Land Of The Midnight Sun

Bodø, with a population of 47,000, is 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is capital of the county of Nordland. For the tourist the airport is very convenient but there is not a whole lot to do here and it is mainly a stepping off place for activities in the region.
Bodø is memorable for us because Trinovante was involved in a re-enactment battle here, attacking the city fort with musket fire while the city fired back with cannon.

On the evening you arrive onboard Trinovante will probably leave Bodø and head for a secluded anchorage ready to set sail the following morning for Lofoten.

Remember this is the land of the midnight sun – it won’t be getting dark so after dinner you can sit on deck and soak up some Norwegian scenery.

Emerging on deck around midnight, I should not have been surprised to see the sun still shining, but nonetheless I was. There, amongst the scattered yellow and orange clouds in the north, it glowed well above the horizon.

Geoff

Sailing To The Lofoten Islands

A first sighting of the Lofoten archipelago is mindblowing. Approaching from the sea jagged teeth rise from the depths, close up they are even more imposing.

Sometimes called the Lofoten Wall the archipelago is a string of mountainous islands that can be seen from many miles away running all along the horizon.

Norway, the Sailing

There is approximately a 60 mile passage at the start and finish of this voyage. The rest of the time will be relatively short hops between harbours on the east side of Lofoten.

Winds are generally light at this time of year in the Lofotens. Trinovante has some light weather white sails for these conditions meaning we can ghost along on the lightest of breezes. However, we should caution that it could also be windy. If we knew, it wouldn’t be an adventure.

Mirages At Sea

In the far north of Norway mirages at sea are common and extraordinary. We have seen breaking waves in the distance where there are none, massive islands hanging in the air. Upside down houses.

This mirage photo was taken approaching the island of Rost right on the southern tip of the Lofotens.

The Mighty Cod

Cod fishing has been massive in the North of Norway for hundreds of years. In winter the cod come down from the Barents sea to breed.

Cod drying racks are everywhere. There is even a village specialising in dried cods heads – someone told us they were for export to Nigeria.

When fully dry the cod is stiff as a board, hard as wood. With an energetic bashing it can be broken up and eaten with a beer. Past crews have pronounced it surprisingly good. Would you?

Will we be catching fish for dinner? It is very likely we’ll catch cod, haddock, saithe or ling – unless you are a vegetarian of course.

Walking Ashore

This is a sailing holdiay not walking holiday but we do like to climb a steep hill now and then.

Here in Lofoten there are lots of walking options often with fantastic views. Walks ashore are generally free form. The crew might all go for a walk together or people may head off on their own.

The Norwegians love walking and there are lots of marked trails. Our crew were once rather sweatily labouring up a hill thinking they were generally doing OK only to have an entire Norwegian family run up hill past them. That was Mum, Dad, three children who looked to be between 7 and 13 plus Granny. Hi, Hi they cheerily waved as they steamed past. Oh Well.

Bring some suitable footware – or running gear if you are that keen.