Norway’s long, varied coastline has an impressive landscape with steep mountains, deep fjords and small islands, which offer an idyllic sailing vacation destination.
Plan your Norway sailing trip around beautiful inhabited islands, such as Sjernarøyane, Kvitsøy, Utsira and Røvær, as well as the awe-striking fjords of Lysefjorden, Jøsenfjorden and Erfjorden.
Within this sailing region there are many sheltered places to anchor, either in marinas, where you can get shore power and stock up on groceries, or you can anchor for free in one of the plentiful quiet, natural coves or specially made piers around the islands.
If you love the great outdoors, you can combine your sailing vacation with a mountain hike. You can attempt a serious challenge with a 900-meter high mountain in the fjords, or something more relaxing with a 200m peak on one of the islands. If you love city life, then stop off and explore Stavanger on your Norway yacht charter. The largest city in the region, it’s known for its strong cultural identity and history. It has a long tradition in the shipping and fishing industry, known for its canned sardines between the early 1800s up to the 1970s.
Stavanger’s natural resources and oil industry means it is an international city with acclaimed restaurants. Dine on fresh seafood, lamb, vegetables and fruit from local producers and you may even be able to experience wild edibles and raw food. If you are sailing in July, check out Gladmat, the largest food festival in the Nordic countries.
The weather in the Stavanger and Ryfylke region is typically cool with partly cloudy summers. The best time to sail Norway’s coast is between June and September when the weather is warmer, reaching a high of 64ºF. April, May and June are the driest months.
Sailing conditions in the south west coast of Norway offers plenty of opportunities for sheltered anchorages. Most of the time you can stay inside the islands in relatively calm seas. Only a few passages takes you out in the open sea. The wind can be strong, up to 20 to 25 knots, especially in the afternoon. Most of the time, the wind is between 10 to 20 knots, perfect for sailing.
You need to be aware of underwater rocks and shallow areas, even though most of the hazards are well marked. Norway uses the international IALA Region A standard as the aid for navigation at sea. In Norway there are many iron poles (stake, perch) marking shallow waters or rocks. Many have a pointer on the top that points to the right track and deeper waters.
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