Sailing the Lofoten Islands

Your Sailing Area

Bodø to Henningsvær, Norway

Meet Humla at the quay in Bodø as you get to know the boat, crew, and fellow guests. The crew will talk through the voyage plan in a casual welcome, and then you’ll learn some safety basics and boat handling information. We’ll hoist the sails for a short stretch after dinner, ready to reach our first destination for the night. The majestic island of Landegode is just outside Bodø.

The next day, some may choose to swim in the Arctic water before breakfast, and then we can either stroll ashore or prepare the boat for sailing. Our course for the day is Nordskot in Steigen, which is home to two well-known Norwegian expeditioners, Børge Ousland and Randi Skaug. We will spend the night here and maybe even get the chance to enjoy a sauna and sea bath in the evening.

Around Nordskot, there is a rich archipelago full of small islets and chalk-white beaches. For those who wish, there can be a guided kayak trip available in the morning. After lunch, we will sail north towards Hamarøy and the Tranøy lighthouse. Tranøy lighthouse has been a beloved landmark for seafarers for generations. It is centrally located out in the Vestfjorden and has plenty of art galleries, as many residents here are into art. We will eat underway, and when we arrive at Tranøy, we will take a little midnight trip to the lighthouse.

Now, it’s our turn to cross the infamous Vestfjorden. We will get ready for proper sailing again and set course from Tranøy directly towards Lille-Molla and Skrova, the closest point of arrival in Lofoten. Maybe, if conditions are good, we will be lucky enough to catch a few fish for dinner! In the evening, we will sail to the island of Skrova and spend the night in the harbour there. Skrova was the main whaling harbour in Lofoten due to its ideal closeness to the whale’s pool, the Vestfjord.

The next morning, we will aim for a morning hike to the 231-meter peak of Skrova, which offers a great view over the Lofoten Wall to the west, the entire Vestfjord in the south, and Steigen and the mainland to the east. From Skrova, we will have a full day of sailing into Henningsvær and up the nearby tidal stream Gimsøystraumen before coming out to the more exposed north side of the Lofoten islands. Our goal for the evening is to go to the well-known surfing beach, Unstad, and we will drop anchor in a nearby bay from where we can cross the hill over to Unstad on foot.

We will start the day by crossing over to Unstad on foot. At Unstad Arctic Surf, it will be possible to rent surfing equipment and/or take a surfing or SUP boarding lesson. Another option is a trip to the Viking Museum at Borg or just a walk and talk around this beautiful area. In the afternoon, we will sail to Nusfjord, one of Lofoten’s best-preserved and most authentic fishing villages. For dinner, we plan to visit Restaurant Karoline in Nusfjord, one of the better places to eat in Lofoten. They also have a nice pub here in Nusfjord called Pauline that is worth visiting. We will sleep in Nusfjord for the night.

In Nusfjord, we will stretch our legs in the morning, either just around the village or up to two nearby lakes overlooking the harbour. After a good breakfast, we will prepare the boats for a final sailing distance over to Henningsvær. If there are more boats on this trip, this will be a race! The finish line is at the entrance to the harbour in Henningsvær, and it is not allowed to start the engine until we are inside the harbour basin. We will arrive in Henningsvær, perhaps Lofoten’s most spectacular fishing village, in time to have dinner, arrange the boat, and end the trip with a celebration together at Trevarefabrikk this last evening.

Please see this itinerary as a rough plan that we adapt as needed according to weather and conditions. We often also try out new places if we feel like it. We reserve the right to constantly improve our programs.

All voyages for Humla

Humla

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Sloop

Expedition yacht Humla is a safe and comfortable Bavaria Cruiser, making her a top choice for exploring the coasts, islands, and fjords of Norway. With a simple fractional rig, she is easy and fun to sail and handles well in many conditions. 

Humla is fully equipped to withstand all types of sailing adventures, from the tough icy conditions of Northern Norway to the beautiful Springs and Summers along the fjords of the West Coast. She even offers epic Ski and Sail adventures across Norway’s Lyngen Alps.

Perfect for adventurers and explorers of all ages, you don’t need any experience to join most of Humla’s sailing holidays in Norway – just a love and appreciation of the natural world and as the skipper requests – a good sense of humour!

Sailing with Humla is certainly a hands-on, team-inspiring experience. You’ll become part of the crew, taking part in all aspects of sailing. From the day-to-day running of the boat to cooking up meals with your fellow guests, the crew of Humla will be on hand to guide you every step of the way. 

Below Decks

A large saloon seats 10 around a communal dining table opposite a well-equipped galley. All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets, and wool blankets for those colder nights! The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks, but they are not allocated until all guests are on board so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and the right facilities for their needs! 

Humla is fully equipped for trips and expeditions, including four independent heating systems, navigation equipment inside and outside, a quick-launching dinghy in davits, and safety and rescue equipment for 12 people.

Deck plan

You don’t need any experience to join Humla’s adventure sailing holidays, just a love for the natural world and a real sense of adventure.

GETTING INVOLVED

Sailing with Humla is a real hands-on experience as you work with the crew and fellow guests to navigate the wild coasts of Norway together. Get stuck into all aspects of life on board, from taking the helm to setting and trimming the sails, basic sail theory, and domestic duties.

The skipper and first mate (co-skipper), will be onboard during Humla’s sailing holidays. Along the way, preferably by sailing but sometimes under a motor, we will include all guests in the sailing experience.

The physical sailing of Humla is relatively straightforward, so she’s a great boat to learn about if you haven’t sailed before. Her simple rig has two sails, the main and genoa, all working off a winch system. You can take the helm, working with the skipper to watch your course. The crew that sail in these waters are wildly skilled, resourceful and calm and they are always on hand to guide guests.

The boat works on a relaxed watch system, usually 4 hours on and 8 hours off. This gives guests a real chance to have some focussed sailing time but equally have the time to just be. To sit, watch the world go by, relax, nap, read a book in your cabin, play cards in the saloon or just simply sit at the bows, watching and reflecting as the world glides by. If Humla spends time on anchor, the watch system will run overnight, but with all guests and crew participating, you wouldn’t be on watch on consecutive nights.

Once guests have settled onboard, there is always a thorough safety briefing and introduction, followed by a “man overboard” procedure (don’t worry—this is a fender, not a real person!) and a fire safety drill.

BELOW DECKS

Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat, so she is wonderfully cosy! The spacious saloon and galley are set mid ships with 360o windows at deck level – perfect for cooking with a view. All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks, but cabins are not allocated until all guests are on board so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and right facilities for their needs!

There are three shared bathrooms with boat showers/hot water, although, as with all sailing experiences, guests are asked to be respectful of their water consumption. There will also be times when there are options to use the marina facilities. A small bath towel is provided per person, but you’ll need to bring an extra hand towel or swim towel if you wish.

EATING ABOARD

Aside from setting the sails and taking the helm, the next most important aspect of sailing on Humla is definitely the food! Once you’ve boarded the boat, a crew member will split all guests into pairs, who are then divided over a rota for breakfast, lunch and dinner duties. With an average of 10 people on board, you’ll normally do one of each service over a week’s voyage.

If you’re not much of a cook, fear not! There will be a menu plan for the whole voyage already planned out with all the provisions on board. The menu plan is entirely flexible depending on the plan for the day. Maybe you catch a fish, or maybe the more confident cooks will want to experiment a little! Alongside the menu plan, there is a correlating recipe book, especially one made with ingredients, quantities, and cooking methods to match the meal plan. Cooking on board is an integral part of how a sailing ship operates. A hearty feed after a sailing adventure, a chance to bring everyone together, confidence to grow, and cultural culinary tips to be shared.

Kit List

Humla has limited space for possessions, so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid cases, so please bring your items in a soft bag or rucksack. We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers.

CLOTHING & SAIL WEAR

• Warm sweater, preferably with a high-neck
• Warm trousers, preferably with an inner layer
• Down Jacket or fiber-jacket (like Primaloft)
• Nice/party/”Restaurant clothes”
• Watertight sailing boots
• Trainers/light shoes to use onboard
• Hiking shoes for hiking trips ashore
• Waterproof sail-wear / oilskins. Preferably, one light shell set for hiking and one heavier for sailing
• Sailing gloves (not a must). You may also use bicycle gloves or ski gloves
• High water-tight boots of the kind you use when fishing in a river. It’s not a must but it is smart when going ashore in the dinghy on unsheltered beaches

OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Sunglasses, Sun cream
• Small towel, soap
• Swimming wear
• Backpack for trips onshore, 40-60 litres
• Earplugs and eye-cover (if you’re a sensitive sleeper)
• Cash – NOK (sometimes useful when going ashore at smaller places)

Sample Menu for Humla

This is an example of what could be served while sailing with Humla. There is not a dedicated cook on board Valiente. Guests all take it in turns on a rotation basis to cook for the boat. This is an enjoyable part of sailing with Valiente as you make firm friends and experience recipes from around the world!

Breakfast

• Eggs, bacon, beans and toast
• Pancakes with jam and spreads
• Oatmeal with various toppings
• Bread and spreads
• Yoghurt and/or milk with cereal

Lunch

• Cauliflower or onion Soup
• Fish soup (using fish we’ve caught from our lines!)
• Cream porridge with cured meats
• Tomato soup and omelette
• Pancakes

Dinner

• Fish or veggie burgers
• Pasta with smoked salmon
• Chilli con carne
• Tacos
• Vegetable lasagne
• Bali chicken stew
• Salmon with root vegetables and sour cream
• Pasta bolognese with salad
• Sautéed reindeer stew
• Self-caught cod with pea puree

Dessert

• Fruit salad with vanilla sauce and firkløver chocolate
• Cream buns
• Sweet biscuits or chocolate

We usually have fish burgers on the first evening, as this is a simple meal to make on the first night, and it has been a tradition to start the trip with fish burgers for many years. Sometimes, we go out for dinner on land (each guest pays for themselves) on the final evening of the trip if we are back in the harbour in time. But this is up to the individual group of guests. Other times, we might also go out for dinner on land the day the trip has ended if people are still in town!

Snacks

We provide a small amount of snacks for the trip, but we usually suggest that guests bring some of their own snacks as well, especially for trips on land (nuts, cookies, chocolate, chips, dried fruit, crackers, etc.). It is always fun when people bring a little something from their home country to share with the rest of the crew. Guests are also welcome to supplement with other food items if they have very specific wishes or needs that we are not able to cater to.

What’s included

• Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Fishing equipment
• Use of the onboard small sailing dinghy for extra practice!

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Wetsuits
• Swim towel
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Any meals ashore

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise everyone to have the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will not be more than 12 miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals and soft drinks are included. Guests work on a rotation basis to cook together onboard.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes - please specify at time of enquiry.

• Are there any added extras?

  There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol that can be settled at the end of the voyage.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  There are 3 double cabins and 2 twin bunk cabins. The double cabins can be split by lea cloth and the berths are allocated once aboard.

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have portholes and deck hatches.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  Three in total all shared across all cabins. One bathroom tends to be designated as a wet store for coats etc.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Humla does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating on board?

  Yes! There are four independent systems.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern conforms and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  12v charging available 24/7 in every cabin and 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator.

• What is the currency on board?

  Norwegian Krone.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes, every bunk is numbered with an allocated life jacket.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Humla is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up the boats step ladder over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are waterproofs provided?

  No, please bring your own.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  No

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is there an age limit?

  Minimum age 14, between 14-18 need to be accompanied by parent/guardian.

Travel Planning

From: Bodø

To: Henningsvær

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There

BY AIR

Fly from London Heathrow to Oslo, Norway, or Helsinki, Finland, and then change to Bodø. Depending on the stopover, total travel times are between 5 and 9 hours.

Once in Bodø, the airport is only a ten minute transfer to the harbour.