Exploring the Stockholm Archipelago with KAYAKOMAT

After an unforgettable stay on the island of Utö, we found ourselves back in Stockholm but still had a few hours to go before checking into our hotel on Nacka Strand. Earlier I checked Google Maps to see if I could see something fun to do on our route, which is when I came across KAYAKOMAT.

Eager to find a way to continue exploring the archipelago independently, the concept of KAYAKOMAT immediately appealed to us. This company rents single and double kayaks, as well as SUPs, but the unique thing is that their stations offer a fully self-service system. You simply go to their website, or scan the QR code at the station, book what you want and when, and you will be sent a code to activate the equipment at the appointed time. What a great idea!

This is an idea that originated in Sweden, and there are many stations around the Stockholm archipelago and further afield. With the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing, we called the KAYAKOMAT station in Saltsjö Duvnäs, a peaceful settlement 10 kilometers southeast of Stockholm. The waters there are good for boating and kayaking, and there are many green spaces also for those who prefer terra firma, with many opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Finds KAYAKOMAT

We are no strangers to water activities and didn’t want to worry about waiting for a staff member or being on time as we didn’t know which boat we would be taking from Utö or how long the trip would take. . For this reason, the KAYAKOMAT offering suited our plans. The station was easily accessible and perfectly positioned along the coast.

Once there, the booking process couldn’t be easier. We chose the Saltsjö Duvnäs site on the KAYAKOMAT website, and within minutes we had booked two kayaks. Ten minutes later when the allotted time came, we entered the code we were given to unlock the station.

It was an incredibly hassle-free process, and we loved the flexibility it gave us. There is no waiting for someone to hand over the equipment. It was completely on our terms.

The station and equipment were well maintained, with equipment, pads, sponges, etc. everything is provided inside each kayak. There were even waterproof storage areas on each ship so we could carry things if we wanted to.

All we had to do was put on our wetsuits, slide the kayaks into the water and get ready for an afternoon of fun!

Exploring Skurusundet

Our journey began as we paddled north through the calm waters of Skurusundet, a stream surrounded by beautiful beaches and beautiful waterfront homes. As we left the shore, the sound of distant cars was soon replaced by the soothing sound of water lapping at the boats. Sometimes a large ship passed by, but they respected our presence and slowed down so as not to be too productive.

Paddling in double kayaks was fun, allowing us to work together and enjoy quality family time.

Around Mårtens Holme and back along the southern shore of Lännerstasundet

After crossing Skurusundet harbour, we hug the coast to avoid the main road and head east towards Mårtens holme, a small island in the northern part of the Lännerstasundet waterway. We resisted the temptation to stop at Kennys Gelato Tollare, founded by Kenny Mattsson, Swedish Gelato Champion in 2022.

We circled this quiet little island, surrounded by rocky shores and dense vegetation. Despite it being a wide and exposed route afterwards, the water remained surprisingly calm for our return to Saltsjö Duvnäs. Apart from Fisksätra, which is more remote than we had reached, the southern coast of Lännerstasundet is not very developed so we can observe a more open view of the landscape and the natural beauty of the coast. It’s hard to imagine that all this is 10-15 kilometers from the center of Stockholm.

A perfect afternoon on the water

We rented kayaks for two hours and, by the time we got back to the station in Saltsjö Duvnäs, that was almost complete. We took it all in stride and the double kayaks were easy to handle, easy snorkeling, but I’m sure we could have covered more ground if we tried. According to Strava, we covered 6 kilometers on water, in a moving time of one hour and 15 minutes.

If you were to rent kayaks for the day, you can continue kayaking east across Lännerstasundet, and out to the larger port of Baggensfjärden via Baggenstäket, following the path that eventually leads out into the Baltic Sea (we don’t suggest going that way. far!). and many islands and skerries along the way.

Returning the kayaks was as easy as picking them up. We made sure to leave them organized, including equipment, paddles, etc. and securely locked them back to their designated positions. The whole process, from start to finish, was so simple and seamless that it’s no wonder why KAYAKOMAT stations are popping up all over Europe.

Whether you’re exploring the Stockholm archipelago, paddling through the Danish fjords or enjoying stand-up paddleboarding on German lakes, the expansion of KAYAKOMAT means more people can experience fun on the water in some of Europe’s most spectacular locations. Wherever your journey takes you, we highly recommend you give it a try. It’s a great way to experience nature, create unforgettable memories and spend quality time with family or friends.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by KAYAKOMAT and our trip is kindly supported by Visit Stockholm.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is the Editor of the Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is the winner of the Innovation in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog was also voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best in luxury” by The Telegraph.