Sørøya Sea Kayaking Expedition (Arctic Norway): the “Green Island” above 70°N
Sørøya sits at 70.87°N, far above the Arctic Circle and only around 100 km west-southwest of Nordkapp. It’s remote, dramatic, and feels properly wild: a rugged coastline of cliffs and headlands, unspoiled bays, and a sea state that can shift quickly.
For Sea Kayaking Wales, Sørøya also carries a special thread of expedition history. Our 2025 Arctic Norway programme marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary British sea kayak expedition from Bodø to Nordkapp (over 800 km). In that spirit, we set our sights on Sørøya — a place that rewards strong paddling, calm judgement, and a team that works well together.
Where is Sørøya (and why it feels so different)
Sørøya’s latitude puts it roughly level with parts of Greenland and Alaska, and far north of Iceland. Only a handful of inhabited islands worldwide lie further north.
What that means in real terms is:
You’re operating in a genuinely Arctic environment
Weather systems can be fast-moving and consequential
The coastline feels big, committing, and “expedition-scale”
Sørøya is also a substantial island — nearly twice the size of nearby Nordkapp’s Magerøya — with over 200 km of coastline to explore.
What makes Sørøya special for sea kayakers
Sørøya is known as Norway’s “Green Island”, but don’t let the nickname fool you into expecting a gentle trip. The appeal is the combination of beauty and seriousness.
You can expect:
Dramatic, rugged coastline with long cliff sections and exposed headlands
Unspoiled bays that feel a long way from anywhere
Big-water potential when swell and wind line up
A strong sense of isolation and expedition commitment
This is the sort of place where good decisions matter as much as good strokes.
Wildlife: one of the great reasons to go
One of the unforgettable parts of Arctic Norway is how alive it feels.
On a Sørøya expedition you may see:
Whales and dolphins moving along the coast
Vast numbers of seabirds settling to breed
White-tailed sea eagles soaring and hunting
Clear water that reveals kelp forests and marine life below your hull
Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed — but in this part of Norway, they’re often part of the rhythm of the journey.
Decision-making is the real “skill” of an expedition
Sørøya is a place that teaches (or tests) judgement.
Even on days that start calm, you may find yourself weighing up:
Swell wrapping around a headland
Tide flow and reflected waves near cliffs
Visibility changes and fog moving in quickly
Landing options (and what happens if you can’t land)
On our 2025 expedition, team decision-making became a theme: exploring conditions around a headland, reading swell and tide, and then retreating carefully when fog arrived thick and fast. That ability to reassess early — and act decisively — is what keeps an expedition smooth.
Who this expedition is for
Sørøya suits paddlers who want a true expedition experience and have the foundations to look after themselves and contribute to the team.
In practical terms, it’s a good fit if you:
Have solid sea kayaking experience (journeys, conditions, group travel)
Are comfortable with expedition living and problem-solving
Want to paddle in a place where the environment is a big part of the challenge
Enjoy being part of a supportive, capable team
Join the Sørøya expedition
Register your interest for the Sørøya expedition here:
https://seakayakingwales.com/arctic-norway-soroya-island-or-nordkvalya-rebbenesya-expedition
See all Arctic Norway expeditions
If you’re deciding between routes (Tromsø archipelagos, Lofoten, Sørøya), you can see the full Arctic Norway programme here:
https://seakayakingwales.com/expeditions-and-away-trips-1#arcticnorway
About Sea Kayaking Wales
Sea Kayaking Wales (SKW), based at the SKW Kayak Centre in Holyhead, Anglesey, offers progressive coaching from beginner to advanced, plus British Canoeing Leadership, Coaching, Safety, and Personal Performance awards. We also run expedition and holiday opportunities in places like Arctic Norway, Scotland, and Pembrokeshire.
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