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.
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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*
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles
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
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
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
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
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
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
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
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