Region · Norway
Cabin charter in the Lofoten
Cabin charter in the Lofoten means: you sail as crew on a yacht amongst steep mountains, fishing villages and the open North Sea, far north of the Arctic Circle. In summer the midnight sun shines, in autumn and spring the northern lights glow over the water. You do not need a sailing licence for this.
Updated: 28 October 2026 · toernfinder.de editorial team
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The essentials at a glance
Season
May to September, for Northern Lights also spring and autumn
Duration
Usually 10 to 14 days, often as a leg
Most common departure ports
Bodø, Svolvær and Tromsø
Requirements
No sailing licence required
Getting There
Flight to Bodø, Evenes or Tromsø
Current sailing trips to the Lofoten Islands
Here you can see all current trips that visit the Lofoten Islands. Most start in Bodø or Tromsø and sail across the islands as a leg. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider; bookings are also made directly with them.
How cabin charter works in the Lofoten Islands
With cabin charter in the Lofoten Islands, you book a berth on board, not the whole boat. The skipper plans the route, commands the vessel and takes responsibility. You sail along, keep watch and have time for hiking, fishing villages and nature.
Most Lofoten trips are legs: a boat sails from Bodø across the Vestfjord to the islands and continues northwards to Tromsø, or the other way round. Such a trip usually takes ten to fourteen days. In spring there are trips where you go ski touring ashore; in autumn there are trips focusing on the Northern Lights.
Sailing the Lofoten Islands: yacht instead of cruise ship
On a yacht you reach bays and small harbours that large ships do not call at. The crew is small, usually six to ten people, and everyone lends a hand: setting sails, cooking and mooring.
Sailing in the Lofoten Islands: the sailing areas at a glance
The Lofoten Islands stretch roughly 150 kilometres from south-west to north-east into the Norwegian Sea. Sailing takes place between the islands, across the Vestfjord to the mainland and further north to the Vesterålen Islands and Senja.
Svolvær and Henningsvær
Svolvær is the main town of the Lofoten Islands; nearby lies the fishing village of Henningsvær on several small islands. From here you sail through the Raftsund into the narrow Trollfjord.
Western Lofoten
Around Reine, Hamnøy and Nusfjord, red fishermen's huts stand before vertical mountains. Right in the south lies the Moskstraumen, one of the world's strongest tidal currents, which skippers only pass in suitable weather and tide conditions.
Bodø and the Vestfjord
Bodø lies on the mainland opposite the Lofoten Islands. The crossing over the Vestfjord takes a long day by sailing boat. More in the harbour portrait Bodø.
Vesterålen, Senja and Tromsø
North of the Lofoten Islands follow the Vesterålen Islands and the island of Senja with their fjords. Many legs end or begin in Tromsø; see harbour portrait Tromsø.
Wind, tides and weather in the Lofoten Islands
The weather changes quickly, even in summer. Between the high mountains, katabatic winds can occur; on the Vestfjord and the open Norwegian Sea, south-westerly winds quickly build up a sea state. The tidal range is around two to three metres; in narrow sounds this creates strong currents. The official weather forecast is published by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute MET Norway (yr.no).
Departure harbours for sailing trips to the Lofoten Islands
Most Lofoten trips do not begin on the islands themselves, but in Bodø or Tromsø. Both cities have an airport with connections via Oslo.
BodøDeparture harbour for the crossing to the Lofoten IslandsHarbour profile →
TromsøStart and finish of many stages via Senja and the Vesterålen IslandsHarbour profile →
Profiles of further harbours can be found in the sailing magazine under Sailing Areas & Harbours.
Best time of year for a sailing trip to the Lofoten Islands
For sailing in the summer light, June and July are the best time. For northern lights, September and October as well as March and April are suitable.
From late May to mid-July the sun does not set. From late August the nights become dark enough for northern lights. In autumn it is wetter and windier, in spring there is still snow in the mountains. Thanks to the Gulf Stream it is mild for a location north of the Arctic Circle, and the water does not freeze.
| Month | Air (maximum) | Water | Daylight | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 3 °C | 4 °C | 16 hrs | Snow in the mountains, first bright nights |
| May | 8 °C | 6 °C | 21 hrs | Midnight sun from late May |
| July | 14 °C | 13 °C | 24 hrs | Warmest month, high season for sailing |
| September | 10 °C | 12 °C | 13 hrs | Dark nights, northern lights, more rain |
| October | 6 °C | 10 °C | 9 hrs | Autumn gales possible, frequent northern lights |
Guideline values for Svolvær. Air and daylight according to weather2travel, water temperature according to meerestemperatur.de. Individual years vary.
What does a sailing trip to the Lofoten Islands cost?
Each provider sets their own price. It is shown in the listing, which you can open via the list above, and applies per person for the whole stage.
The trip price does not include travel and usually not the boat kitty. Food and especially alcohol are considerably more expensive in Norway than in Germany. What is typically covered by the boat kitty is shown in the box.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
On some vessels, catering is already included in the price.
What exactly is included is stated in the respective trip description.
What should I pack for a trip to the Lofoten Islands?
For the Lofoten Islands you need warm clothing, good oilskins and boots at any time of year.
- Oilskins, meaning waterproof jacket and trousers, and warm sailing boots.
- Several warm layers: wool or fleece, hat, gloves and neck scarf.
- In summer a sleep mask, in autumn a head torch for the long nights.
- Sturdy walking boots for trips ashore, in spring ski equipment depending on the trip.
- Identity card or passport and a soft bag that fits into any bunk.
Frequently asked questions about cabin charter in the Lofoten Islands
Here you'll find short answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip in the Lofoten Islands.
Where can I book a sailing trip in the Lofoten?
Most easily through portals where many providers advertise their trips, so you can compare dates, boats and prices. On Törnfinder you send your enquiry directly to the provider, who confirms your place and enters into the contract with you. Törnfinder itself is not an organiser.
When is the best time for sailing in the Lofoten?
For sailing in round-the-clock daylight, June and July, when the midnight sun shines. If you want to see the northern lights, sail from late August to October or in spring until early April. In April and May there is often still snow in the mountains, which trips with ski tours ashore make use of.
When is there midnight sun in the Lofoten?
In the Lofoten the sun does not set from roughly late May to mid-July. From late April to early August it does not get properly dark at night.
How cold is it in the Lofoten?
For a location north of the Arctic Circle it is mild, because the Gulf Stream warms the coast. In July and August daytime temperatures reach around 14 °C, in April and October only 3 to 6 °C. The water is 12 to 14 °C in summer. You always need warm clothing and oilskins.
How do I get to the Lofoten?
By air to Bodø, Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) or Tromsø, usually with a change in Oslo. Ferries run from Bodø to Moskenes and Svolvær, and small aircraft fly to Svolvær and Leknes. Where your trip starts is shown in the listing.
Is a Lofoten trip suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you are sailing along as crew and can cope with cool, changeable weather. Between the islands it is often sheltered, but on the passage from Bodø across the Vestfjord and on the open sea it can get rough. The skipper plans the route according to the weather.
Do I need a sailing licence for a sailing trip in the Lofoten?
No, not as crew. The skipper is in command of the boat. You help on board as much as you like.
Find current sailing trips in the Lofoten Islands
All Lofoten trips at a glance, with dates, boat and price. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.