ITINERARY

There are two planned swims per day based on how you progress during the week. Please realise that the below is a very rough guide and that that we will adapt the week carefully for each individual. Swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you, but in all cases the main objective will be to encourage you to achieve your personal goals.

Saturday 

A SwimQuest representative will meet you at Svolvær airport and drive you to the hotel. You can settle into your room, and meet your fellow guests and guides at the safety briefing and acclimatisation swim at around 5pm.  We will then go for a drink before we take your out for dinner in a local restaurant.

Sunday 

After breakfast we will drive to Kabelvag for a gentle bay swim, allowing to to acclimatise to the ocean and get to know your fellow swimmers. After lunch, we will continue round the coastline, swimming from Kabelvag towards Ørsvågvær. Keep an out of for gigantic sea eagles circling above this section of coastline.

Monday 

An early start for breakfast before we hop in the boat and travel to Ornses. This morning's swim takes us alongside imposing mountains, and eventually bends round into Kalle harbour, where if you’re lucky – we can hop into Kalle’s sauna to warm up before lunch. After lunch, we will swim from geitvika bay, north – under Henninsgsvaer bridge and back towards the hotel.

Tuesday 

In the morning, we will head north to visit Lilje Bjønnerøya. This morning’s swim will be circumnavigation of this island, potentially crossing to Lilje Bjønnerøya before boarding the boat to head back to the villa for a warm lunch. In the afternoon, we will head back to the white beaches and shallow bay north of Henningsvær, to enjoy the scenery with some easy bay to bay swims.

Wednesday 

After breakfast we start from the beach in Kalle and finish with a dramatic swim into Henningsvær Harbour. Enjoy the dramatic Svolvær coastline and neighbouring islands with lunch in between the swims. The route soon approaches the myriad of uninhabited islands around Henningsvær Harbour where we swim directly into the town completing our swim by the Brygge Hotel. We will then change and return to the accommodation for much deserved R&R.

Thursday

Today will be a big day, with lots of swimming! We start by the bridge to Grundstadvelen, and swim with the tide through the wonderful rocky outcrops and small islands out into the Norwegian Sea. This open section of the swim allows you stunning, panoramic views of the Arctic Circle, passing Rødholmen Island where you will finish in Sineset Bay for a welcome lunch. The final swim of the week is a short coastal swim where you finish on the sandy beach in Kleivan Harbour – a fine swim to complete a great week. We then motor back to the cabins for a relaxing evening and final dinner.

Friday

On the last day, you will have breakfast at the accommodation before departures.

Nyvågar Rorbuhotell

Nyvågar Rorbuhotell is idyllically located on the waterfront in Storvågan, just a 20 minute drive from Svolvær airport. We stay in bright, comfortable wooden cabins , each consisting of two twin bedrooms, a kitchenette and a living area. Backing onto stunning mountain vistas, these cabins are a perfect base for your swimming adventure. Our safety boat is moored outside, minimising our travel to and from swim start points.

A hot and cold breakfast buffet will be served in the hotel’s cosy dining room overlooking the bay - a perfect way to start a day of adventure in The Lofoten Islands.

ROOM OPTIONS

• Twin share room within a two bedroom cabin £2,900
• Your own private room within a two bedroom cabin £3,590

GETTING THERE

Our accommodation is a 20 minute drive from Svolvaer. We will meet you at the airport and will take you to the hotel. We plan to have the safety briefing and acclimatisation swim at around 5pm on the Saturday. Do get in touch if you need to be flexible with your arrival / travel arrangements and we will do our very best to help you. Often guests find it is easier to land on the Friday evening, depending on where they are flying from.

getting there

Lofoten is most easily reached by air. The best airport to fly into is Svolvær (via Oslo and Bodø). Most guests fly into Oslo, and then through to Bodø via Norwegian airlines, and then make a short hop to – Svolvær via Widerøe airlines. Widerøe airlines operates the final flight to Lofoten, with multiple daily flights available. Tickets can be booked individually, or via SAS airlines or other Star Alliance partners to keep the journey as a single booking – which may be beneficial in the case of delays or lost luggage.

We recommend booking at least your original destination through to Bodø as one booking. You may wish to search for flights through a slight search engine such as www.skyscanner.net before booking to find your cheapest options.

By ferry from Bodø to Svolvaer

Bodø – Stamsund/Svolvær: The Hurtigruten coastal ferry proves a link from Bodø – Stamsund and Svolvær. The northbound Hurtigruten leaves Bodø at 15:00 – Arrives in Svolvær at 21:00. Southbound Hurtigruten leaves Svolvær at 20:30, Stamsund at 22:30 – Arrives in Bodø at 02:30.

In Bodø, the Hurtigruten and Bodø-Moskenes ferry share the same terminal building and waiting room. The waiting room is open 24 hours, heated and contains toilets and luggage lockers. In summer there is a small cafe and gift shop also in operation.

If walking from the airport, it is a distance of roughly 2.5 kilometres. The train station is just around the corner.

Bodø – Svolvær: Operated by Torghatten Nord. This is a passenger only express boat connecting Bodø – Svolvær. The express ferry terminal is located at the tourist information centre/bus station in the centre of town.

What do I pack?

• At least three swimming costumes (putting on a wet cossie is never fun!)
• Wetsuit (please ask the office if you need help with this)
• Two pairs of swim goggles – one clear and one tinted
• Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can find a great range from Swim Secure HERE and receive 15% off with code: 15SwimQuest23
• Towel(s)
• Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (please note, you will receive a SwimQuest 10L dry bag)
• Sandals/aqua shoes/flip flops – for getting wet
• Warm clothes! Fleece or warm jumper, tracksuit trousers/sweat pants, warm coat, hat, gloves and warm shoes are essential
• Dryrobe / similar may be useful
• Warm shoes for before and after your swim, preferable suitable for walking short distances
• Waterproof
• Sun hat, sun cream and glasses
• Waterproof watch (optional)

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your Lofoten trip, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlie (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit / credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.

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In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us: Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com

Travel Insurance

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities.
Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.
Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.

World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.



World Nomads do not offer cover over 65s, however if you are over 65 and looking for insurance, you may wish to browse some of the below price comparison sites. Please note - we are unable to advise on the suitability of any particular insurance policy.

United Kingdom

• Insureandgo price comparison site for over 65s insurance
• Comparethemarket price comparison site for over 65s insurance

If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.