The myriad of islands, islets and skerries, with sheltered waters and many areas of shallow seas, make the Helgeland coast one of Norway’s premier kayaking arenas. Here is an overview of places where you can rent a kayak or sign up for guided kayaking excursions. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced kayaker, we would like to suggest some specific kayaking adventures and add some useful tips.
Three tips for a great kayaking adventure
Go on a guided tour
Local guides know the areas you paddle in and often know of nice routes and places to stop that you won’t find on your own. They are experienced paddlers who can help you get better at kayaking, and they have the knowledge and experience to safely take you on longer trips than you might have embarked on alone.
Reward yourself with good breaks
Take advantage of your kayak’s ability to hold a bit of cargo – bring some good food and plenty to drink. Find a scenic spot and pull your kayak ashore. Alternatively, you can find a seaside restaurant or a café.
Talk to the locals
The best source of information is the locals. Talk to staff where you rent your kayak and where you are staying, as well as local people you meet elsewhere. They often know the tides and the winds that could cause you trouble, and where the shipping lanes are that you should stay avoid. They can also suggest idyllic places go ashore, where to watch birdlife, and the best places to go kayaking in the glow of the midnight sun!
Jonas Berglund / Visit Helgeland
Have a safe kayaking adventure
Don’t go alone.
It’s usually more fun and definitely safer to go kayaking with family or friends, or even with a fellow traveller you’ve just met. Several kayakers are always more visible from boats and ships, and you can help each other should the need arise.
Plan your trip according to the weather, local conditions and your abilities
Always check the latest weather forecast before you head out. Is there a gale or storm coming? When does the tide turn? Headwinds or strong currents can be dangerously exhausting at the end of a long kayaking trip.
Bring the necessary safety equipment
Always carry a life jacket, a paddle float, a water pump, a whistle and a first aid kit. And make sure your mobile phone is safely stowed in a waterproof equipment bag! We also recommend charts, a line to secure your paddle, a spare paddle, reflectors and lights for evening trips, a kayaker’s rescue knife, and spare dry clothing.
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
Stay close to shore
In the event that your kayak capsizes and you are unable to flip it upright, it’s safest to have left yourself a short swim to shore. Moreover, near the shore you are usually safely out of the way of fast boats and large vessels. There is one notable exception: stay away from areas where strong waves can push you against rocks or cliffs!
Dress according to the water temperature
Should you be unfortunate and fall into the water, hypothermia is as great a risk as drowning. You rapidly lose body heat in cold water. Therefore you should dress according to the water temperature. Wear a dry-suit and woollen or thermal warm underwear on cold days and when you are kayaking alone. Bring a set of dry clothes, especially on longer trips.
The “Mountain Rules” also apply at sea
Leave word of where you are going, your planned route and how long you expect to be away. Choose a route suited to your experience and to the conditions. Never go on a long kayaking trip unless you are very experienced. Listen to expert kayakers. Be weather-wise and respect the sea. Turn back in time – a sensible retreat is no disgrace. Conserve energy; go ashore and seek shelter if necessary.
Watch videos of kayaking on the Helgeland coast
Book your experience
An idyllic Helgeland holiday on Rangsundøya
Just north of the Arctic Circle, in Rødøy municipality, lies Rangsundøya. At Helgelandsidyll on Rangsundøya, you stay in a glamping tent, apartment, or the “Eagle Dome.” Rent a boat, kayak, or SUP and spend your days on the water or in the mountains of the island, and relax in the evenings in the sauna. Here, you can find peace and quiet, away from the crowds.
Learn whitewater kayaking with RiverNorth
Join an exciting river adventure and learn whitewater kayaking on the stunning Austervefsna river in the heart of Helgeland. Become confident in a whitewater kayak and experience the thrill and fun in wild and beautiful nature.
Yttervik
Yttervik, situated in idyllic surroundings by the Ranfjord, offers accommodation a short distance from Mo i Rana’s town centre. The cabins and campsite and the surrounding area is well suited for varied activities for the whole family.
Winter dream at Støtt
Do you dream of going from the hustle of the big city to “winter world” where the polar lights and the northern lights create magic? Visit the island Støtt and be close to nature, culture and history.
Guided kayak tour in Herøy
Join us for a guided tour of some of the finest kayaking areas in all of Helgeland.
Padleheimen – Courses and guided tours in the beautiful Støttvær archipelago
Join a guided tour or kayak course in the stunning Støttvær islands. Enjoy birdwatching and the peaceful waters and striking landscapes, or challenge yourself in rougher seas along the outer edge of the islands.
Activity vacation on Ylvingen
This is the four-day vacation you need, with accommodation, meals, and activities on the beautiful ‘Himmelblå Island’ Ylvingen.
Kayaking the waters around Ylvingen
Based on the island of Ylvingen, Himmelblå Brygge offers introductory and more advanced kayaking courses, kayak rentals, and guided kayaking trips on the nearby waters. Their beautiful island is situated just south of Vega.
Explore Herøy with kayak and E-bike rentals
Herøy is an ideal destination for kayaking enthusiasts. Its stunning islands, skerries, and scenic shorelines provide an excellent opportunity to experience nature at its best. Herøy Kajakk & Sykkel offers a wide range of options for both land and water explorers. You can rent kayaks, e-bikes, and SUP boards to embark on your own adventure, or join a guided paddling tour led by experienced kayakers to explore the island.
Base Camp Vega – kayaking, climbing and accommodation
At Base Camp Vega you can stay in mini-cabins whose unique design is inspired by the little huts the islanders build for the thousands of eider ducks that nest in the Vega archipelago every year. We also offer good spots where you can pitch your tent. Base Camp Vega is situated right by the Vega Stairs and the Ravnfloget Via Ferrata, and the sheltered waters nearby are perfect for kayaking.
Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
The picturesque old trading post of Støtt offers some of Helgeland’s most beautiful and unique holiday experiences. Many adventures await you here, and you can enjoy charming quarters and great dining in historic buildings steeped in the island’s ancient coastal heritage.
Kayaking trips in the Meløy and Rødøy area
Meløy Adventure offers guided kayaking trips on the Glomfjord, to the Svartisen glacier, and on the waters near Rødøyløva (443 m), as well as longer excursions around the island of Mesøy. The company also rents out kayaks, and its experienced instructors offer a variety of kayaking courses.
The kayakers paradise at Støtt
From Støtt, you can paddle in the beautiful and sheltered archipelago of Støttvær or indulge in the thrill of surfing waves and breakers along the open coast. Join a course, embark on a guided tour, or rent a kayak of your own.
Brønnøysund Kajakk- courses and rental of kayaks, SUPs, and boats
Brønnøysund Kajakk has everything you need to explore the beautiful sea areas and islands around Brønnøysund, whether you want to do it with a kayak, SUP, or boat.
