Expedition Outline
Hamburgsund: Sweden’s Quiet Coastal Gem
Tucked along the rugged Bohuslän coast in Västra Götaland, Hamburgsund is one of Sweden’s most quietly enchanting seaside villages. Split from the island of Hamburgö by a narrow, shimmering strait, the village embodies everything travellers love about the Swedish west coast: crisp sea air, red-painted cottages, salty harbours and a horizon dotted with granite islets.
A Village Shaped by the Sea
Hamburgsund’s roots reach back nearly a thousand years, when the area served as a local assembly site and trading point. By the late 1500s it was established enough to be recognised as a customs station and over the following centuries the harbour bustled with freight-timber from Norway, coal from Gothenburg and locally quarried stone. Though quieter today, the village retains the soul of its maritime past.
Slow Living by the Water
Arriving in Hamburgsund feels like stepping into a postcard. Fishing boats rock gently against the docks, cafés spill out onto sun-washed wooden decks, and a small ferry shuttles back and forth to Hamburgö, just a minute or two across the water. The island itself is a sanctuary of smooth granite cliffs, forest paths, and hidden bathing spots- ideal for hiking, swimming, or settling into a warm rock to watch the long Scandinavian sunset.
A Playground for Nature Lovers
Outdoor adventure is woven into life here. Kayakers glide through narrow channels between the islands, cyclists follow meandering coastal roads and walkers explore trails that trace the contours of the archipelago. The guest harbour draws sailors throughout the summer, adding a gentle buzz of activity to the otherwise tranquil waterfront.
Where Relaxation is a Way of Life
Despite its small size-under a thousand residents-Hamburgsund offers enough charm to fill a long weekend or a lazy summer week. Visitors can enjoy freshly caught seafood, browse small local shops, or simply wander the shoreline and breathe in the scent of salt and pine. It’s a place for unhurried mornings, scenic ferry rides and evenings spent watching boats drift in with the tide.
A Bohuslän Pearl Worth Discovering
Hamburgsund may not shout for attention, but that is precisely its magic. It’s a coastal retreat for travellers seeking authenticity rather than spectacle-a village where nature does the storytelling, and the sea sets the pace. Against the backdrop of Bohuslän’s iconic granite landscapes, Hamburgsund remains one of Sweden’s most captivating places to slow down and just be.
We will meet at “Rörviks Familie Campground” in Hamburgsund on Saturday the 30th of May, to prepare and plan our expedition. We will launch from there on Sunday morning.
Starting in Hamburgsund offers us a wide range of paddling options through the archipelago landscape of Sweden’s west coast towards Kosterhavets Nationalpark.
The first and last nights will be spent at Rörviks Familie Campground or other suitable accommodation you choose in the area.
The aim for the remainder of the week is to be self-contained, living from the kayaks and finding wild campsites on the small islands in the area.
The reservation for the first and last night on the campground is not included in the expedition price.
To book the campsite facilities or if you plan to arrive earlier or stay on after the trip, please use the following links :
https://www.rorvikscamping.se/en/bokning/
This is a collaboration between Sea Kayaking Cornwall & Alex & kayaks & friends and has been years in the making to get out and explore the beautiful west coast of Sweden. Your guides Shaun Rodgers & Alex von Strombeck have paddled and trained together for over 10 years, having met on a guide training programme in 2015.
Looking forward to sharing our
“DEVOTION TO THE OCEAN”
with you!
– Sea Kayaking Cornwall Team
What's included?
- Experienced guides from Sea Kayaking Cornwall & Alex,Freunde & Kayaks offering advice, assistance, planning and safety throughout the trip.
- Kayak. We can supply suitable expedition kayaks*.
- Buoyancy aids /PFD*.
- Spray decks*.
- Paddles*.
- Kayak hire & kit (paddle,PFD & spraydeck) is included in the expedition price, however should you wish to bring your own for comfort and familiarity, please do so.
Please confirm whether you have your own kayak and paddling kit or need us to provide it, with a description of your size & weight.
shaun@seakayakingcornwall.com
What's not included?
- Transport to start location in Sweden.
- First & Last nights at Rörviks Familie Campground https://www.rorvikscamping.se/en/bokning/
- Food and beverages during the trip.
- Camping equipment.
- Drop off and pick-ups during the week, if we require relocation due to weather conditions.
Time and Location
For team members intending to fly to the location, Gothenburg is your closest airport, please communicate with us when exploring this option as we will try and advise you of other travellers doing the same so that taxi/shuttle/car hire can be shared if possible
We meet at Rörviks Familie Campground in Hamburgsund on Saturday the 30th of May at leisure. Official briefing will be at 5 pm and afterwards we will visit a local restaurant for dinner , giving the team some time to get to know each other (additional expense and not included in the expedition price).
We will return to Rörviks Familie Campground on Friday the 5th of June to enjoy the facilities and a warm shower.
We have a final dinner together and depart on the morning of Saturday the 6th of June.
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What to bring
- Travel insurance.
- Food. Prepare for 6 breakfasts – 6 lunches – 5 dinners – plus snacks, hot drinks and soups for the time we are out.
- Dry bags – various sizes.
- Camping kit: Tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag suitable for cool/wet conditions (3-4 season).
- Stove, pans and fuel/gas (water bottle or flexible water bag), plus a reliable means of lighting.
- Thermos or “Jet boil” style cooker for keeping or heating liquids.
- Paddling kit – suitable for cold-water paddling. Water temperature is around 16° – 18° C. We recommend that you bring: large jacket or storm cag that will fit over your buoyancy aid to help you regulate temperature on the water; dry suits or paddling trousers with a dry top with a choice of thermals depending on the temperature.
We do not recommend paddling in a wet suit. However, if you choose to, then bring extra clothing, and ensure you have good coverage for your feet – Sealskin or similar goretex socks and thick paddling shoes.
Please contact us if you are uncertain that you have the correct gear! - Safety kit. We carry adequate safety kit. However, we suggest you bring the safety kit that you would normally paddle with. A group can never have enough safety equipment on a trip!
- Sponge.
- Sun cream.
- Sunglasses and hat.
- Insect repellent, tick removers and midge spray.
- Camera.
- Headlamp/torch
- Personal medication and first aid kit.
- Reading material if the elements keep us off the water.
- Suitable bags to carry your kit in up the beach (IKEA bag).
- Clothing. At least two changes of warm clothes, warm hats, gloves and waterproofs.
- Suitable footwear and change of clothes for walking in the conditions and changing into at the end of the day.
- Phone and power banks. Sweden has good cell phone reception in almost all places. Ensure you have sufficient power banks.
- Money, as there are cafes and restaurants to visit. Not all will accept card payment.
At a Glance..
- Price: £1095 per person
- Dates: 30th May - 6th June 2026
Download the expedition PDF
We have put all the information on this page and more into a handy reference document for you to download.
What experience do I need?
To get the most out of the expedition you should be an Intermediate paddler and be comfortable in conditions associated with force 4/5 winds.
If you have any questions regarding the required ability, please feel free to contact us: info@seakayakingcornwall.com
Contact Us
Please give us a call if you have any queries or wish to discuss any of our courses or expeditions:
0044 (0)1326 250889 (office)
0044 (0) 7555 763695 (Shaun Rodgers)
0044 (0) 7455 884482 (James Roberts)