Kayak trip 3hrs: SEAL SAFARI (dressed in dry suits)
From SEK 845
+2 Additional options
Slow pace seal spotting tour.
Looking into the big eyes of a seal makes most people feel excited, even blessed. Listen to the silence, paddling in slow pace while marvelling at the pristine seascape along the Swedish west coast. Immerse yourself in the feeling of gentle wilderness, just 90 minutes drive north of Gothenburg. You sit in a sturdy kayak, wearing a comfy drysuit. As you feel warm and safe, you will enjoy the winter kayaking experience even more.
This trip runs on Sundays and during the school holidays. We load our kayaks on a trailer and go to a special starting location some 15 minutes north of Lysekil. We launch the kayaks close to a known seal hang-out.
- Seal safari on the animals' terms: They follow us, if they want, without feeding or tricks. This means that we cannot guarantee that they will honour us with their presence.
The activity duration is three hours from the meeting until parting. We stay seated in the kayaks for almost 2 hrs without landfall. When paddling with children we will go slower, stay closer to the shores and make more short stops along the way.
- Families with youths from 12 yrs can also join the 3 hrs kayak trip Urban Wilderness (dressed in a drysuit)
Kayak trip:
SEAL SAFARI (dressed in dry suits)
| Area: | LYSEKIL Northern/southern Harbours or Basteviksholmarna |
| Season: | August 15th - May 14th |
| Duration: | 3 hours from gathering until we part, i.e. including changing, security briefing, etc About 1.5-2 hours in the kayak, without going ashore. |
| Level: | Novice/Beginner and intermediate |
| Guest recuriements: | Able to swim 200 m Normal health; i.e. no known problems with cold or sitting still, e.g. circulation or breathing problems etc. Max 100kg and/or 195cm (Length and weight limited by dry suits and cockpit size and possible leg length.) Able to swim 200 m |
| Youth: | Youths 10-15 years, at least 145 cm tall, are welcome to paddle with one adult (family member) each. On the departures where children participate, the paddling distance is shorter because the children cannot paddle as far as adults. It may also be relevant to shorten the time if it is cold. |
| Included: | Guide, paddle, life jacket and canopy/spray deck. Place in a stable tandem kayak (K2), shared with another participant. In case of an odd number of participants, one of the participants paddles with the guide. |
| Drysuit: | Premium quality drysuit from Ursuit (included in the price from mid-October-mid May) with wetsuit gloves and shoes in neoprene. |
| Bring: | Warm gloves to wear before and after the tour. Your own lukewarm/hot water/tea to hydrate (0.3-0.5L). Your water bottle can be attached with elastic cords to the top of the kayak. Waterproof bag, if you are going to bring your phone or camera. Possibly: headgear, sunglasses, gloves, snacks for quick energy (especially for kids). |
| What to wear: | Come changed, in wool or synthetic underwear closest to the body. Woollen socks. The colder the weather, the more and the thicker layers of underwear. (Air insulates) Avoid hoods and zips around the neck. Bring an extra buff and a pair of warm gloves/mitts to wear until we get into the kayaks. |
| Rain/wind: | We run the tour even if it rains lightly or is moderately windy, but then the possibility of seeing seals decreases. In case of wind strength around 6-8 m/s, we make contact with registered participants the evening before the activity. Depending on wind direction and temperature, the tour may be cancelled, especially if children are registered. |
| Dressing room/ shower/toilets: |
Not available when starting at Bastiviksholmarna. Come dressed in your underwear, and you will don the drysuit sitting in our minivan. Public toilets are few in the archipelago. Makes sure to take care of business before arriving at the meeting point. |
| Sauna: | A sauna by the sea can be found in Lysekil's Kallbadhus, about 10 minutes walk from us. See link for opening hours etc. Choose Add-on for Sauna (before check-out, when making your reservation) and we will purchase access to the sauna for you. |
| Meal: | Not included, however hot beverages will be served during the trip. |
| Language: | English and Swedish |
| The number of guests: | Min. 2 persons, max. 8 For larger groups, please contact us well in advance. |
| Meeting point: | Varying. Hence we'll send you a "Google map pin" the evening before the trip. |
| Parking: | We recommend downloading the Easy Park app (from Google Play or App store) and setting up an account before arrival. |
| Add-on: |
Single seating in K1 Kayak |
Check availability/book:
- Click the button BOOK NOW! to see available dates.
- Click on the desired day in the calendar, and selectable times/departures will appear.
- Click on the desired departure time to see the availability of bikes with different frame sizes and price/price categories for each departure. There will be no binding booking until your payment is completed.
Minimum # of participants
- 4 participants (paying the full amount) are required for us to carry out the activity.
- If you book for 1-3 people, the following will happen: Your ticket will have a water stamp "Reservation". The booking amount will be reserved from your payment card, but we will not collect the amount until the minimum number is reached (no later than 24 hours before the start). Only then will you receive a booking confirmation and a PDF ticket via email.
- By booking a "Mini Group", you can ensure that the activity is carried out on the day and time you book, even though you/you are only one or two people. If more participants book, and participate, we will, after we have finished the activity, credit the difference.
| Cancellation policy: Complete Brief on refund |
Individual participants (max 7 persons) except those having booked a "Private departure" may cancel as late as one week prior to activity start. NB! When booking a "Private departure" or "Mini-group" any cancellations must be made 14 days before the start. |
| Re-booking: | We can help you to reschedule a trip or replace it with another of our activities, provided you contact us no later than 48 hours prior to the original departure time. |
| If the organizer needs to cancel a booked departure, e.g. due to the weather etc.: | Depending on the weather conditions, e.g. risk of thunder or persistent rain and/or wind, a guided bike tour may have to be postponed (very rarely earlier) in order for all participants to be able to participate and feel safe/comfortable. We will contact our booked participants, who can choose between postponing the booked activity to a later date, or participating in an alternative activity, such as a cave walk or rock carvings/petroglyph safari. Any difference will be refunded. If we cannot agree on a reasonable compensation alternative, you will get back the amount paid, minus an administration fee of SEK 50. |
As we may have to change location due to prevailing weather conditions you will receive a final notification about the exact meeting point as late as on the day before departure.
After a safety demonstration, the guide will assist you in fitting the equipment.
When kayaks have been launched and everyone is seated, you will have an introduction to basic paddle techniques.
As we approach the seal area it is important to whisper and move slowly. We aim at coming in with the wind and current from the right direction, thus enabling us to glide past them at a respectful distance.
After placing the kayaks on the rack we end the tour with some stretching, debriefing and a smile.
Family fun
This tour is intended for families and adults without previous experience of kayaking. Safety, comfort and enjoyment are our guiding principles as we plan and conduct our trips. In the winter months, the pace is even slower in order to avoid sweating and thus getting cold.
Ursuit drysuit
A comfortable and durable drysuit, designed for paddling. When you makie the booking we will ask about your length in order to make reservations for a drysuit in approprate size.
Seal photos: Patrik Eld, Lysekil
Highlights
- Comfortable drysuit is included with optional gloves and hood
- Stable sea-kayaks let you enjoy the ride
- Good opportunities for seal spotting
Route
- 6, Norra Hamngatan, Lysekil