Meaningful sailing vacation in Helgeland!
Welcome to a meaningful and magnificent sailing experience down the coast of Helgeland. On this trip we cast off on our greenest concept; Sailing and Beach clean-up, where taking care of the ocean is in focus. Surrounded by magnificent nature, we sail to leave a positive handprint and a minimal carbon footprint. You get to take part in beach clean-ups, gain knowledge about marine plastic pollution and hear about concrete solutions to the problem. Fun, educational and inspiring!
From Bodø to Brønnøysund on a mission
The trip starts in Bodø and ends in Brønnøysund. We set off south along Norway’s perhaps most beautiful coast; between the thousands of islands, islets and scurries we find on Helgeland, to explore spectacular places only reachable by boat. A coastline full of beautiful natural harbors, white beaches and scenic mountains and fjords. Along the way, we visit exciting places such as Rødøy, Træna, Myken, Lovund, Vega and Ylvingen. In addition to a proper sailing experience, you will also contribute to the well-being of the sea. Not only will you enjoy action-packed sailing, cosy meals, and the midnight sun, you will also learn a lot about the sea, how it is threatened, and how you can make a difference.
Holiday with meaning; Sailing & Beach clean-up
According to the most alarming predictions from the World Economic Forum; there could, by 2050, be more plastic than fish in the sea. Up here, in our cold, clear Norwegian Sea, plastic ends up on land and beaches every day. As sailors and passionate about the ocean, we cannot sit still and watch this happen. We want to contribute to a cleaner ocean!
At Sailing & Beach Clean-up, we will therefore take you to pristine and remote shores and beaches where there should be no plastic at all. Together we will clean up waste we find here, so that we can sail on leaving a cleaner coast in our wake.
Active and meaningful holidays
If you like the sea, northern Norwegian nature, are driven or curious about sailing and also want to spend your holiday on something meaningful – this trip is for you! Of the planned activities, you are completely free to take part in what you want along the way. If one day you’d rather take it easy on the boat and write poems or do yoga, or do nothing, you of course do just that!
Learn to sail underway!
As on all our trips, you will learn to sail. You will get challenged, the feeling of mastery, and have memorable experiences for life! If you are a first-timer, we will make you a sailor as soon as possible. If you on the other hand are more experienced, you’ll quickly get more responsibility and bigger challenges.
Inspirational videos from previous trips
For inspiration see some great videos from previous trips here:
Postcard from Simen and Helgeland – Mar del Norte.
Wonderful to learn to sail and clean beaches and the sea with lovely, like-minded people, while experiencing the finest coastline; Helgeland!
Monica
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to the sailing and beach cleaning adventure!
We meet to check into the boats at 16:00 in Bodø. We go through the program for the week, our ambitions and expectations, take a tour of the boat and review safety and routines on board. Already this first evening, we set off south towards the coastline we are going to make a little nicer! Depending on the weather, we find a suitable place for the night at Fleinvær, Arnøy or Sør-Fugløy.
Day 2: How to Sail and do beach clean-ups?
Today we start the day with going through what we think about when doing a beach clean-up. What we look for, where we look, and what can be left behind. Full of motivation and courage, we find a suitable place to start the beach clean-up. During this day we’ll pass by the islands of Fugløy and Bolga, and the fishing village of Støtt. We will stop at at least one of these places to do our first beach clean-up. We eat dinner along the way to Rødøy. Once there, maybe some of us want to do a midnight hike to the mountain Rødøyløva?
Day 3: Out to sea, to Myken whisky distillery
After breakfast, we go for another beach clean-up trip and see how much plastic we manage to pick along the fantastic chalk-white beaches on Rødøy. When the rubbish is packed and ready to be collected, we again hoist sails. Now with our course for Myken; a small, supercute island community at the brim of the high sea. Here we hope to do tour of the world’s only Arctic whisky distillery, and their recently built Whisky Cathedral! We spend the night at Myken.
Day 4: Beach Clean-up at Myken and sailing to Træna
Despite, or perhaps because of, Myken’s exposed location out at sea, there is plastic to be found on the shore here too. Today we’ll maybe split into two teams and see who can clean up the most plastic? After lunch, we head south past Selvær towards Træna and Husøy, where we moor for the night and find care for body and soul in the sauna of Havfolket!
Day 5: Hiking and beach clean-up at Sanna
We will also find plastic at Træna. We sail over to Sanna, the island with the iconic Trænfjella mountains, and take a walk around the island. We pick up what we find on the beaches so the trolls in the mountains here will be pleased with us. In the afternoon we sail further in towards Lovund and maybe we’ll catch a fish for dinner along the way…?
Day 6: Full sailing day to Vega; the world heritage area
This will be one of the longest sailing legs of the trip. Where we sail from Lovund all the way down to Vega! The route goes through a fantastic archipelago, into the UNESCO World Heritage area of Vegaøyan. Once we arrive at Næs, we visit Vega World Heritage Center where we learn about the traditions of Vega and surrounding islands, with eider duck herding, sustainable agriculture and coastal fishing. We spend the evening at Vega.
Day 7: Nature reserve Søla and homeport Ylvingen
One of our favorite places around Vega is the small mountain island Søla west of the main island. This is a beautiful nature reserve, but unfortunately we still find a lot of plastic here too. We anchor, spend the day cleaning these beaches under the impressive peaks. After lunch around the bonfire on the beach, we sail towards Ylvingen. On Ylvingen we are coming home to SeilNorge’s homeport. Here we celebrate a successful trip with dinner on land!
Day 8: Bye for now in Brønnøysund!
The last morning, we cover the last sea miles into Brønnøysund with an early start before breakfast. Once in port in Brønnøysund, we clean and wash ourselves out of the boats, and thank ourselves for our solid work underway, before we finish at 10:00. Thanks for a wonderful experience together!
Changes to the program
Please see this itinerary as a rough plan which we adapt underway according to weather and conditions. Often we also try out new places if we feel like it. We reserve the right to constantly improve our programs for the better. Sailing and exploring we always have dinghies with us for beach landings and small expeditions. We have fishing equipment for the cod, and hiking equipment for bonfires and summit climbs. We are ready for adventure – are you?
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
- Solid beach cleaning clothes (oilskins), as well as other equipment
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
This trip starts in Bodø and ends in Brønnøysund.
You find more information on travel, equipment and other tips under Practical info.
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.