This is the itinerary we recommend for a first visit. Distances are modest (average 20 nautical miles per day), the water is mostly sheltered, and every night you tie up somewhere worth waking up in.
Boat handover at Svolvær marina from 15:00. Take your time with the briefing and provision at the Coop Extra a five minute walk from the pontoon. Cast off in the late afternoon for a short shakedown to Skrova, a tiny island where you tie up at the fishing quay for a fee that used to be honesty-based and still often is.
Anchorage or berth: Skrova fishing harbour, floating pontoon, water and power available. Alternative: anchor south of Skrovaholmen if the harbour is full.
Head north-east across Raftsundet into Trollfjord, 2 kilometres long and 100 metres wide, walled by cliffs 600 metres high. The bigger tourist boats turn around at the head. You continue further, drop anchor for lunch under a waterfall, then motor out and up to Digermulen for a quiet night at anchor.
Anchorage: Digermulen bay, good holding in sand and weed, sheltered from all but strong east.
Cross Vestfjord in the morning breeze and enter Henningsvær through the narrow eastern approach. This is the closest thing Lofoten has to a scene: cafés, a real bakery, three galleries, and the famous football pitch you've seen in every drone shot of Norway. Berth at the marina in the inner harbour.
Berth: Henningsvær guest harbour, pay by app, hot showers on shore. Eat: Klatremus Bar for coffee, Fiskekrogen for cod. Do: walk out to Festvågtind for the classic postcard view.
Longest sail of the week. Head south around Gimsøystraumen and along the outer coast of Vestvågøy, past Ballstad, and into Nusfjord. This is a preserved fishing village from the 1870s, red cabins on stilts, a tiny bar, and a natural harbour that fills up early in season - arrive before 16:00 for a spot inside.
Berth: Nusfjord harbour, small fee. Alternative: anchor in the outer bay if full.
Short hop along the outer coast to Reine. This is the shot: red rorbu cabins on stilts under Reinebringen. Anchor in the bay east of Sakrisøya or berth at Reine harbour. Optional hike up Reinebringen for the aerial view (2 hours up, 1.5 down, exposed - go only in good weather).
Anchorage: Reinefjord, holding good in mud. Berth: Reine harbour, limited space, arrive early. Eat: Anita's Sjømat for fish burgers.
Sail past Hamnøy and Sakrisøya in the morning for photographs, then head north-east up the coast to Ballstad. Ballstad is a working fishing town, not a tourist stop, which is exactly the point. Real provisioning if you need to top up, and a proper harbour to spend the last night before turning back.
Berth: Ballstad guest harbour, easy access, good facilities.
Final sail across Vestfjord back to Svolvær. Time it with the tide for an easier passage. Return to the marina by 12:00 for handover.
The 7-day route above is our recommended starter. If you have more time, or want more remote water, we can suggest:
Contact us and we'll build a route around your dates and level of experience.
Custom start days on request. Reply usually within 24 hours.
See the full pricing page.