Above and below the surface along Norway’s most beautiful coastline!
The combination of sailing and activities on land and in the water – both summer and winter – is our trademark SeilNorge. Everything from skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, beach cleaning, surfing, photography and kayaking is on our program, and now also freediving – with our newest concept Freedive & Sail! Join us for an unforgettable adventure both above and below the surface. A week packed with experiences and learning, where we explore the precious sea we’re so enchanted by and passionate about.
Below the surface with freediving
This trip is suitable both for those who have been diving a lot, and for those who have tried freediving once or twice and are curious to learn more. Along the way, we dive in some of the most beautiful surroundings our coastline has to offer. The views are stunning, both above and below the surface. During the first days, we practice basic skills in freediving. To get to know each other and for everyone to reach a level permitting us to explore and play as we wish throughout the week.
On this adventure you will get a proper sailing experience, and an active holiday around Helgeland and Bodø. All this in addition to the freediving we’re here for. We visit both popular and secret diving sites along the way.
Out to sea from Bodø
This trip starts and ends in Bodø. The best way to travel along the coast is definitely by sailboat. Not only is it fun and environmentally friendly, but it’s very practical too. We eat and sleep onboard, have room for all our gear, are flexible and get to places and diving spots that are not easily reached by land. We sail by our favourite ports and anchorages, with a perfect combination of pleasant evenings in the boat and active sea, mountain and diving experiences during the day!
Learn to sail during the adventure
As on all our trips, you learn to sail. You will get challenges, the feeling of mastery, and get memorable experiences for life. If you are a first-timer, we want to make you a sailor pronto. If you are an experienced sailor, you quickly get more responsibility and bigger challenges.
Read about our eminent freediving instructor and beach cleaning enthusiast, Martin Helseth, in the article about the “garbage diver” in D2. An inspirational introduction to freediving (in Norwegian).
I had no idea what to expect from my SeilNorge adventure, never having sailed before. The beauty of the place, the company of strangers who quickly became close friends, and the mastery and kindness of our skippers all made for an experience that reminded me how truly beautiful this world is. I’ve since signed up for my first sailing course and will forever travel by water. Lee ho!
Steacy Hinton
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome on board in Bodø
We meet at the dock in the center of Bodø at 16:00. Once on board, we get to know the other participants and the crew. Before we sail, we go through the boat and equipment, handling the boat and safety routines. Together we go through the plan for the week and adapt to the weather forecast and our group. Eventually we cast off on the adventure and sail south towards Arnøy and Fugløy where we find a nice harbor for the night.
Day 2: Freediving ABC
After breakfast, we start with basic theory and safety when diving. We have crystal clear water right on our doorstep now, outside the boat. Throughout the day we will be testing the equipment and refreshing/training our basic skills. With good wetsuits, being in the water for a long time is nowhere near cold! We spend the day in the sheltered waters around where we are docked. If you haven’t dived much before, you will get good follow-up, while you who are more experienced can play more on your own. After a good session in the water, we warm up again on board, change into our sailing gear and sail further south. If the conditions permit, we will sail all the way to Rødøy, where we spend the night.
Day 3: Freediving and hiking on Rødøy
Rødøy is known for its beautiful sandy beaches – a great diving spot. Here we can test how deep we can get, as the bottom gradually slopes downwards from the beach. Those who get the deepest may even be able to pick both scallops and crabs in the sand, so we can cook ourselves a feast for dinner! Rødøy is also home to the scenic mountain of Rødøyløva. For those who want, we have time for a great trip up to the peak this afternoon, for a spectacular view to the Helgeland archipelago. For the night we find ourselves an anchorage towards Bolga or Støtt.
Day 4: Diving in the archipelago around Støtt
Støtt is a beautiful fishing village, which consists of an enormous number of islands, islets and skerries. We start the day by sailing to Støtt, if we didn’t get all the way last night. After lunch we make our freediving equipment ready again, launch our dinghy and explore these sheltered waters. In the evening, we opt for dinner at the restaurant at Støtt Brygge, where they serve delicious local seafood together with a big variety of good wines.
Day 5: Sail to Saltfjorden
After lots of diving these last days, we spend one full day sailing back north. Now we really get to practice and put together everything we learnt about sailing so far. We eat lunch along the way. Maybe we’ll also stop to try our fishing luck, and catch today’s dinner? After a full day at sea, it’s good to get to port for a quiet evening with dinner on board.
Day 6: Underwater foraging and hunting
In addition to being a great nature experience and activity, freediving is also an excellent way to forage seafood and catch fish. Today we test out diving for shells, seaweed and crabs. Maybe we bring a harpoon and sling below the surface to try catch a fish! Underwater hunting is not easy and requires both patience and practice. We probably can’t count on all of us managing to catch something, but hopefully we have some skilled underwater hunters in the group. And with a bit of luck, we’ll have enough for dinner!
Day 7: Saltstraumen; the diving Mecca of the north.
It’s time for the grand final. Have we all become good enough divers to try our skills in the famous Saltstraumen? The world’s strongest tidal current! Such a dive is very advanced because of the current, though it is the strong current itself that creates the bustling underwater life we meet here. Depending on the tidal conditions and the group, we will find a suitable diving spot for us in the area around Saltstraumen. For a great end to a rich week. During the afternoon, we hoist sails again and head back towards Bodø.
Day 8: Farewell for now in Bodø
This last morning we clean, pack and tidy ourselves off the boat and end the trip at 10:00 in Bodø. Breakfast at Thon hotell on the seafront – the best in tow, for those who want! From the guest harbor in Bodø it is only a short walk away both to the train station and the airport. Thank you for an unforgettable week filled with great experiences and new friends!
Changes to the program
The program should be seen as a starting point which we adapt according to weather and conditions. We reserve the right to constantly improve the program for the better. With us along the way, we always have dinghies for beach landings and small expeditions. We have fishing equipment for the cod, and hiking equipment for bonfires and summit hikes – we are ready for adventure, are you?!
We love early bookings! Save NOK 10.000 by booking early, as the price for this trip will increase as we get closer to departure.
What is included?
- A trip experience with sailboat – experienced skipper/instructor with local knowledge on board
- All food we eat on board during the trip
- Our Comfort Package, which consists of accommodation on board in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
- An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
- A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
- A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
- Use of our shared equipment if available: dinghies, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
- All boat-related costs such as diesel, propane and harbor fees
- Personal safety equipment; Helly Hansen inflatable lifejacket
- Instruction, advice, guidance and practical training in boating and sailing
- Experienced free diving instructor on board
- Option to borrow free diving equipment – but bring your own if you have!
What is not included?
- Travel to and from the start/end location
- Optional meals at a cafes/restaurants during the trip
- Entrance to galleries, museums, or other alternative activities that you/we may come up with
- Rental of equipment and/or activities from external operators, ex. kayak, glacier hiking or surfing where possible
- Drinks such as wine, beer or exclusive apple juice and other luxuries (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
- Travel insurance and/or cancellation insurance – (up to you, but recommended!)
Important info
Departure and arrival
Specific Information - Freediving
For the diving on this trip, we start with the basics and build up our technique and experience along the way. You have to be able to swim, and it’s definitely an advantage if you love to be in the water. You don’t need lots of prior freediving experience for this trip, and we will practice everything from safety to breathing techniques and swimming. If you on the other hand are a seasoned freediver, who lives as much below the water as above, this trip is for you too! For the more experienced, our instructor will challenge you at your level.
Before departure, we recommend you ensure that you’re able to equalize pressure in your ears. Hold your nose while blowing carefully, so you feel a pop sound in both ears. If you can do this without much effort, there’s a great chance that you will have an awesome experience with us underwater!
Our freediving instructor is CMAS certified instructor through the Norwegian Diving Association and has a high focus on safety. We’ll adapt the program and the diving based on the weather conditions, and we set up the diving sessions to suit the level of the group.
If you have your own freediving equipment you should bring this. Which you’re comfortable with and accustomed to. If you have only some of the equipment yourself, or nothing at all, we will provide the needed freediving equipment through our partner Frivannsliv. Before departure we will ask everyone to report which equipment they need, including your height and weight. You will also receive a packing list for the trip before the start of the tour.
Deposit and payment
You only pay a deposit (NOK 6000) upon registration, the remainder of the payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Safety and risk on board
We are all about people, and so we also take safety very seriously. On our trips we practice sail- and boat handling also for safety, and we spend time going through various situations that can arise at sea, how to handle them and how to avoid them.
On board a boat everyone must know what to do in critical situations and in the event of an emergency. Our philosophy is that partaking and participation builds safety. It is important for the safety of the whole boat that you are a participant on board, not just a passenger.
Therefore all our trips are to be considered sailing courses in addition to being great holidays and adventures: You are trained to make up the crew on board and so we build a capable team on board.
Feel free to contact us for a chat about safety and risk on our adventures.
Level of the trip
No sailing experience? No problem! Our sailing adventures welcome both novices and seasoned sailors for an inclusive and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re new to sailing or a salty sea dog, our trips cater to all levels.
We aim to transform beginners into sailors quickly while offering experienced participants greater responsibilities and challenges. Our mainland sailing journeys involve 44-50 feet boats navigating coastal and protected waters, occasionally crossing open stretches for excitement. Route adjustments based on weather and conditions ensure a safe and adaptable voyage.
Trips are not overly strenuous; with rotating positions, participants can balance sailing and relaxation. Active engagement minimizes seasickness, and if it occurs, it passes swiftly. Weather, however, is unpredictable, with the potential for stronger winds and various conditions in northern Norway and the Arctic, making each trip a true sailing adventure. Be prepared for calm winds and rough weather—embracing the elements for an unforgettable experience.
What we expect from you
Our trips require a little effort from you who are joining – everyone on board must be ready to contribute and to give of themselves also socially; the more you open up, share and interest yourself in the others on board, the more enjoyable it gets.
When you’re sailing with us you are invited to take part in the running of the ship and all that comes with it. You will be sailing, docking, navigating, looking out for whales and icebergs, but also making food, serving others, doing dishes and helping clean the boat during the trip, and contributing in other ways when needed. On board we are all in the same boat and when all help out, the ship is most happy.
Our experience is that doing things together with others out in nature, and not least cooperating and doing activities with new people and different personalities than you might have around you normally, is what creates the best, most interesting and memorable moments and stories:)
Equipment and packing
As with all activities, there is plenty of special equipment and clothing for sailing. If you don’t have any of this, you will get very far with normal hiking/outdoor equipment. You do not need to buy a lot of new equipment to join our trips. Use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment – buy quality items that will last! What you need is something waterproof and windproof on the outside, and layered warm clothing underneath.
Some jackets may not be waterproof “enough”, or might not perform too well in salt water, so you can consider a set of oilskin for the wettest days (available for rent or purchase on board). A pair of higher rubber boots for disembarking from the dinghy is very good to have, as well as indoor shoes below deck. Out at sea and in the Arctic it can be cold even in summer, so bring both swimwear and plenty of warm clothes. Well before departure, we will send you a detailed recommended packing list.
Read more and see our packing tips here:
PS: In a sailboat, you pack in a bag or sack, not in a rigid suitcase. 🙂
Food & cooking on board
On our trips, you will be part of the crew on board and get the chance to participate in all tasks for the operation of the boat. This includes cooking and preparing food – everyone take turns in the galley! Skippers and crew assist as much as they can along the way.
We have great menus with tasty, healthy and “boat-friendly” food, and for each trip we order provisions for all meals on board. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know in the registration form and we will take that into account as best as we can. You are also most welcome to bring any special food or drink with you. Why not bring some specialities from your country or region for the boat to enjoy?
During a weeklong trip we often sail by a good restaurant or two where we can have dinner on land. Some places we need to pre-book and we will then need to choose a menu before we arrive. More about all of this when you come on board!
Life on board & accommodation
Life on a sailboat is super social and fun, but it might feel a bit intimate at first. No worries though, that vibe usually fades after the first hour. Everyone chips in to run the boat, and we’re all part of the crew, which means quick bonding.
We’re keen to get to know you and hope you’ll connect with the rest of the crew. It takes some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but soon you’ll be focused on making new friends and enjoying raw nature experiences once sea life feels like home.
Sleeping arrangements in shared cabins with double or bunk beds can be a bit of a puzzle, but we’re pretty good at figuring it out. Let us know if you have preferences. You’re on your own for land accommodations before or after the trip.
The boat provides heating and good food, but fresh water isn’t always abundant. Water conservation means not showering every day, but when near freshwater sources, we make the most of it. But nothing beats a morning sea swim for that fresh feeling.