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Out safe, home again
The archipelago is gentle but honest. A little preparation makes all the difference. Here are the basics for a safe kayak trip — and how to paddle gently on nature's terms.
In an emergency
Call 112. The Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) operates in the Stockholm archipelago. Give your position as clearly as you can — the island's name, what you can see, or coordinates from your phone. Never paddle further than you can get back from.
Six things to check, every time
Wind & weather
Check SMHI's forecast and wind forecast before every trip. Wind rules everything on open water. In strong wind: wait, shorten the trip, or pick a sheltered route. Remember that wind often picks up in the afternoon.
Cold water
The water stays cold well into summer, and cold water is more dangerous than cold air. Dress for the water, not the air. Consider a wetsuit or drysuit in spring and autumn, and always carry a change of clothes in a dry bag.
Life vest
Always wear a life vest or paddle vest — on you, not in the kayak. It should fit well and be fastened. It's the single most important piece of safety gear.
Tell someone
Tell someone where you're paddling and when you expect to be back. Carry a charged phone in a waterproof case, ideally with a power bank.
Open crossings & boat traffic
Plan open-water crossings around the day's weather — they're marked with their length on the map. Cross quickly and directly, keep the group together, and watch for larger boats and ferries that won't give way.
Paddle within your level
Start short and sheltered and build experience. Practise getting back into the kayak after a capsize — ideally before you need to. If unsure, paddle with someone more experienced or book a guide.
Always bring
- A well-fitting life vest
- Clothing for the water temperature + a dry change in a dry bag
- Charged phone in a waterproof case
- Water and something to eat
- A map (printed or offline) and a plan
- A bailer or bilge pump and capsize aid / paddle float
- Sun protection, a hat and a windproof jacket
- For longer trips: first aid, tick remover, headlamp, tow line
Worth keeping an eye on
Learn to read the forecast before you go. Wind speed is given in metres per second (m/s), but there are no hard cut-offs — it depends on you, the kayak and where you paddle. Watch for warnings, such as a yellow warning or a gale ('kuling') warning, and plan your route so that you paddle with the wind at your back as much as possible, rather than straight into it.
- SMHI — weather and wind forecast (smhi.se)
- Wind forecast — e.g. YR or Windy for wind in detail
- Marine forecast — for the lakes and archipelago
Always turn back in time. There's no pride lost in turning around — it's good seamanship.
Water and food on the water
Something that surprises many: the sea around you isn't drinkable. The archipelago's water is brackish, and fresh water isn't a given out there.
Drinking water
Plan to bring all the drinking water you need. Reckon on at least 2–3 litres per person per day, more when it's hot or hard going. Some islands and guest harbours have fresh water to top up, but never rely on it — check in advance and always keep a margin. Don't drink straight from lakes or the sea.
Food & provisions
Do your shopping before you head out. Shops are few and far between in the archipelago, and many only open in high season. Bring food that packs well and won't spoil in the heat, plus a little extra in case the weather forces you to stay an extra day. A simple camping stove gives you a hot meal even during a fire ban.
Rule of thumb
Plan as if there's neither water nor a shop along the way. If it turns out easier than that, it's a bonus — not something you depend on.
The right to roam & paddling gently
The right of public access (allemansrätten) gives you freedom to be in nature — but it rests on responsibility. The rule is simple: don't disturb, don't destroy.
Camping and resting
You may pitch a tent for a night or two on land that isn't a garden or field and where you don't disturb the landowner. Choose hard-wearing spots, keep your distance from homes, and take extra care in nature reserves, where special rules may apply. Use designated rest and camping spots where they exist.
Don't light fires
Our clear advice is to avoid open fires entirely. In summer there's often a fire ban, and even without one the risk of fire is high. On the rocks, the heat cracks the stone — damage that never heals, on slabs shaped over thousands of years since the ice age. On the ground, the soil lies thin over the bedrock, and so do the roots: fire can creep down, smoulder unseen below the surface and flare up metres away. Cook on a camping stove instead. And in keeping with travelling invisibly — we don't want to see any traces of old fire pits, no more than litter.
Wildlife & sensitive islands
Keep your distance from bird skerries and respect bird sanctuaries, which often have access bans during nesting season (typically 1 February–15 August). Paddle calmly near wildlife and back off if you notice you're disturbing them.
Leave no trace
A good guiding principle is to travel invisibly: when you leave a place, it shouldn't show that anyone was there. Leave nothing but footprints. Carry out all your rubbish — including food scraps and fruit peel, which don't belong in nature. Do your business well away from water and bury it. Leave the spot at least as nice as you found it, so the next paddler gets the same untouched experience you did.
In short
Enjoy freely, don't disturb, don't destroy, take your rubbish home. That way the archipelago lasts for more people — for many years to come.
Ready to plan your trip?
Read up on gear, technique and how to get to the trail in the kayak guide — or find your stage.