When should you go sea kayaking in Norway? The short answer: any time of year. The longer answer is more interesting — because every season offers its own distinct experience on the Sunnmøre coast.
I'm Øystein Pilskog, and I've paddled the waters around Ålesund for more than 15 years. As an NPF-certified sea kayak guide I paddle all year round, and people often ask me: when is the best time, really? Here's my season guide.
Summer (June–August): peak season
Summer is the easiest time to start. The water is at its warmest (12–16°C), conditions are often calm, and the daylight lasts almost around the clock. In June and July it never gets truly dark here — a midnight-sun paddle at 11 pm is entirely possible. This is the perfect time for beginners, families and visitors experiencing the fjord for the first time.
Autumn (September–October): colours and waves
In autumn the mountainsides turn gold and red, the tourists head home, and the coast falls quiet again. The sea holds on to its summer warmth well into September. For the more experienced, autumn is also prime season for surf paddling — the strongest and most consistent waves roll in against the west coast, not least at Hoddevika on Stad.
Winter (November–March): silence and northern lights
Winter paddling is a well-kept secret. The air is crisp, the sea is often mirror-calm, and the low winter light creates a mood all of its own. This is also the season for night paddling — gliding across black, glassy water beneath a starry sky, and with a bit of luck the northern lights dancing over the mountains. Winter paddling requires a drysuit and experience (a basic course or equivalent), but the reward is magical.
Spring (April–May): nature awakens
In spring the coast fills with life again. From April the puffins return to the bird cliffs of Runde, the days grow long, and the light is sharp and fresh. The water is still cold after winter, so proper clothing matters — but the long, bright evenings make spring an underrated time to paddle.
Dress for the water — not the air
Whatever the season, the most important rule is the same: dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. On Sunnmøre the sea sits at 6–8°C in winter and 12–16°C in late summer. On every tour and course you can borrow a wetsuit or drysuit, and I always recommend wool as a base layer — never cotton.
So — when should you go?
Want to try for the first time? Choose summer, with warm water and calm conditions. After some action? Come in autumn for surf paddling. Looking for something truly out of the ordinary? Join a night paddle in the winter half of the year. And if you love birdlife, late spring and early summer are the time for Runde.
Whenever you come, we'll find a tour that suits you. Get in touch via kajakkguiden.no — see you on the water, all year round.