Wilderness adventures for wellness. Wild swimming in the fjords and lakes of the Nordics.
Wild Swimming Experiences in the Nordics
@ Fjord Sauna
@ Fjord Sauna
@ Fjord Sauna
Wild Swimming Experiences
Few regions on earth offer wild swimming like the Nordics. With thousands of lakes, rivers and fjords, and miles of coastline, water (surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes) is never far away.
Whether you’re slipping into a still lake under the midnight sun, taking a bracing dip in a Norwegian fjord or cutting through an ice hole in the depths of a Lapland winter, swimming in the Nordics is an experience that stays with you long after you’ve dried off.
@ Floating Safari Camp
Wild Swimming in Sweden
Sweden is home to nearly 100,000 lakes, so wherever your journey takes you, there’s always an opportunity for wild swimming.
From the archipelago islands south of Stockholm to the dramatic western coastline to the vast lakes of Swedish Lapland, the country offers an extraordinary range of waterside settings.
Our stand-out choice? The Floating Safari Camp on Lake Degerslet. Moored in complete seclusion in the middle of the lake, this place is built entirely for water-based adventure.
Swim, paddle board, kayak or fish right off the deck. Then retreat to your private on-board sauna for the ultimate in laid-back luxury.
© Wild Nordic Finland
Wild Swimming in Finland
Finns spend a lot of time outdoors. And with more lakes per square kilometre than almost anywhere on earth, wild swimming is a way of life, a way to shake off the day and connect with nature.
The shores of Lake Jerisjärvi, located near Muonio in Finnish Lapland, offer spectacular Arctic swimming. You can swim in the lake and move between a selection of saunas, each reflecting one of the four elements: earth, wind, water and air.
Further south, majestic Lake Päijänne, one of Finland’s largest, offers open-water swimming on a grander scale, with cool waters and forested shores stretching as far as the eye can see.
@ Oslo Fjord Sauna
Wild Swimming in Norway
Norway is a wild swimmer’s paradise. Imagine sliding into the crystal clear waters of a fjord, mountains towering above. Or swimming in the Arctic, off the Lofoten Islands, famous for their turquoise waters and white sand beaches.
One of our favourite destinations in Norway is 29|2 Aurland, just northeast of Bergen, a historic boutique hotel, set among peaks and waterfalls, and providing easy access to a beautifully designed floating sauna.
The ritual? Dive into the fjord. Enjoy an invigorating swim. Relax in the sauna, soothed by the heat and the spectacular natural vista. Rinse and repeat.
@ et_nyt_kapitel
Wild Swimming in Denmark
The island of Bornholm, in the Baltic Sea, is a particular highlight, with sandy beaches, sheltered coves and sea temperatures that are among the warmest in the region.
It’s the kind of place where a summer morning swim feels like a natural start to the day rather than an act of bravery.
That being said, cold water swimming is a beloved Danish tradition. It’s practised by a huge community of year-round swimmers who swear by its effects on both body and mind.
@ Julius Aspman - Visit Sweden
Embrace the Cold: Arctic Ice Swimming
Wild swimming isn’t just a summer pursuit. For the brave, there’s nothing quite like swimming in a frozen Arctic lake in the depths of winter.
Each day, a hole is cut into the ice. With a guide, who supports you with breath work, stays close and offers all the reassurance you need, you then take a skin-tingling dip into freezing cold waters.
A warm sauna awaits, along with a sense of grounded contentment that stays with you for the rest of the day.
The Arctic Hideaway
Secluded island cabins, sauna, kayaking, wildlife safaris and Northern Lights—discover The Arctic Hideaway for an intimate fjord escape.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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On request
@ BesteBakken Hotel
Norway and Sweden Summer Tour
Discover the richness of Scandinavian summer on this curated journey through Norway and Sweden.
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£12,105 - £18,160 pp*
@Arctic Retreat
All Day Swedish Summer
Long light days with the Midnight Sun are perfect for exploring glittering lakes and relaxing by the lake
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£4,000 - £6,000 pp*
@ Hike Blåisvatnet
Oslo and Tromsø Summer Sightseeing
From Oslo to Tromsø and Lyngen, discover Norway’s summer with fjord safaris, hikes, biking, local food and Arctic luxury stays.
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£6,275 - £9,145 pp*
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Doreen
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen