Scandi summer vibes.

Published 17 February 2023

The smart choice for your summer break is a Scandinavian yacht charter to island hop through the archipelagos, immerse in rich cultures and glide through towering fjords. It's not off the beaten track - just a well very kept secret

The Scandinavians keep it to themselves that their summers offer the brightest crisp blue skies, sun-soaked days and long, light evenings, and here's why...

You will find tiny islands to visit with empty beaches to roast just-caught shellfish, and deep waters to plunge into. Cosmopolitan cities to explore, with Michelin-starred restaurants, and small villages hugging the coast where you can stop to buy the local cinnamon buns. Hiking trails will take you past impressive waterfalls, and you are likely to spot migrating whales.

Summer cabins dot the islands, this is where the locals decamp for the summer months

You may think that it’s off the beaten track from your usual Med charter – until you get there and realise that a Scandi summer is the best kept secret of the locals, who all head to their cabins for most of June and July.

June to August is the best time to cruise through these fjords and archipelagos. While the Med bustles and overheats, here there is peace, wild swimming, sophisticated dining, ancient architecture and an enviable wellbeing lifestyle.

Norway’s fjords

The Norwegian coastline offers scenery on an epic scale. As you glide through the indigo waters hugging the rugged, mountainous landscape, discover dramatic vistas like nowhere on earth. Cruise through the deep blue fjord waters, past sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

Wooing visitors with their history, culture and Scandi gastronomic scene, seaside cities such as Bergen and Stavanger offer plenty of attractions ashore.

By late-August the tourist crowds fade away and you have the best of both worlds, summer weather and the place to yourself. Take advantage of Norway’s ‘right to roam’ which lets you camp anywhere as long as you are 150m away from an inhabited house or cabin.

Immersed in Bergen's thriving cafe scene is a relaxed way to spend a morning

Lofoten Islands

From June to August the Lofoten Islands’ clear waters rival those of the Med, and the weather hots up to 15-25 degrees with big blue skies and you will see hillsides of wildflowers. Although this is the high season, you can still find wide open emptiness – don’t miss the renown Trollifjord, where you can launch one of the yacht’s tenders or kayaks to explore the two kilometres of fjord.

The midnight summer sun casts a golden light over the Lotofen Islands

It would be a pity to come this far north and not see the whales. Sperm whales are best spotted between June and August, so keep your binoculars focussed - and while you are looking for these big stars, you may also see porpoises, dolphins, seals and walruses.

Kayaking in this dramatic landscape is awe inspiring

Golfers may want to tick off a bucket-list game – 18-holes under the midnight sun at Lofoten Links. Horse riding on the white-sand beaches is another magical experience - or you can find quite a party scene in the towns if you want it. Svolvaer is the capital and the only city in the Lofotens.

Finland's archipelagos

Finland offers the 20,000 islands of the Turku archipelago, a protected national park. Most islands have a sauna to get a sweat on before your swim, so that you have the benefits of hot-cold therapy au naturel.

There are 6,500 more to explore in the Aland islands, including the historic seafaring centre of Marienhamn, capital of the Aland islands. Other than island hopping, the favourite pastimes are fishing and golf - and there are some fantastic cycling trails.

Fishing for your supper is part of the lifestyle in Finland - and a lot of fun too

Stockholm archipelago

Anyone who has cruised in Scandinavia and the Baltic will know what an exquisite cruising ground this is. Stockholm's archipelago, for instance, has 24,000 islands within a day's sail of the majestic Gamla Stan in the heart of the city.

The island of Gamla Stan is the old city within Stockholm

Those closer to the city are dotted with red summer houses but further out there are beguiling granite islands that can be yours and yours alone. The granite rocks alond the shore heat up to make ideal sunbathing spots as well.

These outer islands are where to see endless wildlife, go bird watching and take fishing and kayak trips. There is nothing like taking a small boat or kayak out to feel the tranquillity of it all.