The journal

Stories from the fjord.

Longer writing from the captains. History, wildlife, swimming, seasons — and what it's actually like to spend a day on the water.

Guests enjoying a summer cruise on the Oslofjord

On the Water7 min read

What Actually Happens on a 3-Hour Oslo Fjord Cruise

From boarding at Tjuvholmen to swimming in hidden coves and cruising past forty islands. A private boat tour on the Oslofjord.

5 March 2026

Guests laughing around the teak table on the aft deck of a private boat on the Oslofjord

On the Water7 min read

A Bachelor Party on the Oslofjord: Prices, Group Size and What the Day Looks Like

A private boat from 16,688 NOK including VAT for three hours. Seven guests on the boat; ask us about a second boat for larger groups. Prices, swimming, lead times.

26 July 2026

A couple on the aft deck of a private boat on the Oslofjord in bright afternoon light

Guide8 min read

Getting Married at Oslo City Hall, and the Afternoon After

Oslo City Hall marries couples on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in front of a Munch painting, 30 guests maximum. The paperwork, the costs, and the fjord after.

26 July 2026

Aerial view of guests around a shrimp lunch on the teak deck at golden hour

Guide7 min read

Things to Do on the Oslofjord: Islands, Saunas, Seals and a War Story

Nine things to do on the Oslofjord: island hopping, swimming, saunas, fishing, seals, the Blücher story and a slow northern sunset. By ferry or private boat.

23 July 2026

Aerial view of the boat passing a white timber villa and marina on the Oslofjord

Guide7 min read

Viking Ship Museum in Oslo: Closed Until 2027, and What to See Instead

The Viking Ship Museum on Bygdøy is closed until November 2027. Where the Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune ships are now, and what to see in Oslo in the meantime.

22 July 2026

A guest in a red swimsuit on the boat's swim platform at golden hour

Guide7 min read

Oslo in Summer: What the Locals Actually Do

Island ferries for 42 kroner, 23°C swimming coves, floating saunas and 18-hour days: how Oslo actually spends its summer, month by month.

22 July 2026

Guide8 min read

Oslo in Winter: What's Open, What's Worth It, and How Dark It Really Gets

Around six hours of daylight, sledding from the metro, free skating at Spikersuppa and the exact days Oslo closes for Christmas. November to March, honestly.

23 July 2026

The boat passing the Heggholmen lighthouse on the Oslofjord

On the Water8 min read

Oslo Hidden Gems a Local Would Actually Show You

The coves, seal rocks and wooden streets that pass one test: would a local go? An honest guide to Oslo's hidden gems, from the water and on foot.

22 July 2026

The turquoise Cormate cruising past an island with painted timber houses

Guide7 min read

Free Things to Do in Oslo

One 46 NOK Ruter ticket covers Oslo's island ferries. Plus Vigeland Park, Ekebergparken, free greenhouses and free museum days, with 2026 hours checked.

23 July 2026

Guests waving from the boat as it cruises past the Oslo waterfront

Guide6 min read

Oslo in One Day: An Honest Hour-by-Hour Itinerary

Coffee and the harbour at 08:00, one museum (mind the Scream trap), the fjord all afternoon, dinner by the water. What to skip and what it costs, hour by hour.

23 July 2026

Three friends laughing, relaxed around the table on deck

Guide8 min read

A Weekend in Oslo: One Day for the City, One for the Fjord

One day for the streets, one for the fjord: a 2-day Oslo itinerary with 2026 prices, a rain plan B and the Viking ship trap most guides still miss.

23 July 2026

The turquoise Cormate on the open fjord with a sailboat and lighthouse behind

Guide8 min read

Whale Watching in Oslo: What Actually Swims in the Oslofjord

No whale safaris run from Oslo. What the fjord actually holds: harbour porpoises year-round, seals on the skerries, and the documented whale visits of 2003–2025.

22 July 2026

Coffee and apple cake at a viewpoint above Oslo, with the city and the fjord below

Guide6 min read

Hiking in Oslo: The Forest at the End of the Metro Line

Four Nordmarka hikes with official DNT distances, forest lakes you can swim in, blue trail marks explained, and the 2026 metro closure at Sognsvann.

23 July 2026

The boat alongside the Tjuvholmen quay with a group of guests around the table

Guide9 min read

Oslo on Foot: Self-Guided Routes and Walking Tours

Four self-guided Oslo walking routes with real distances, how the tip-based free tours actually work, and when a private walk earns its price.

23 July 2026

Snacks and drinks on the table between guests on deck

Guide7 min read

Oslo with Kids: What Works at Each Age

Island ferries on a 137 NOK day ticket, shallow beaches with lifeguards, museum prices and a rainy-day plan. Oslo with kids by age, checked July 2026.

23 July 2026

A couple laughing together over a platter of oysters on deck

On the Water7 min read

Date Ideas in Oslo, Sorted by Situation

Sauna rafts, island picnics on a 46-kroner ferry, Munch's ridge at dusk and a private sunset cruise: Oslo date ideas sorted by situation, with real prices.

23 July 2026

Guests relaxing on the foredeck as the sun sets over the fjord

Guide6 min read

Private Charter vs the Electric Sightseeing Cruise on the Oslofjord

The silent electric cruises (Brim, MS Brisen) are shared, scheduled and from ~690 kr a head. A private charter is the whole boat from 16,688. Which one fits your trip.

20 June 2026

A team gathered around the teak table on deck

On the Water9 min read

Corporate Boat Charter on the Oslofjord: Team Events, Client Hospitality, Off-Sites

Private boat charter on the Oslofjord for company events. What it costs, what it includes, how to host clients or a small team. Group sizes from 3 to 60.

1 May 2026

The captain talking with guests over the sunlit water

Guide6 min read

Tipping on an Oslofjord Boat Tour: A Guide for Visitors

Norway has no tipping culture in the American sense. On an Oslofjord cruise, NOK 200–500 is generous; a written review is more useful. What captains actually want.

1 May 2026

The boat cruising under heavy clouds with light breaking through

Guide8 min read

Rain on the Oslofjord: Will the Cruise Still Run?

Rain alone does not stop an Oslofjord cruise. Wind, swell, and lightning do. The weather criteria, when we reschedule, and how the boat handles a wet day.

1 May 2026

The boat lying calm beside a jetty in silver evening light

Guide8 min read

Wheelchair Accessibility on Oslofjord Boat Tours: A Practical Guide

Which Oslofjord boat tours work for wheelchair users, what the dock at Tjuvholmen looks like, and the honest limits of the Cormate T28. With accessible alternatives.

1 May 2026

Guests on the aft deck with Oslo City Hall and Akershus Fortress on the horizon

Guide7 min read

Oslo Airport to a Fjord Cruise: Transfer Times, Tickets, Logistics

From Oslo Gardermoen to a private boat at Tjuvholmen in 50 minutes via airport express train, or 25 minutes from Sandefjord Torp. Tickets, schedules, luggage, and timing.

1 May 2026

The boat at dusk near a lighthouse under a dramatic Nordic sky

Guide8 min read

Northern Lights on the Oslofjord: An Honest Guide

The Oslofjord sits at 60°N, far south of the auroral zone. You can see the lights from the fjord — once or twice a winter, on KP6+ nights. What that actually means.

1 May 2026

A couple close together at the rail over sparkling water

On the Water9 min read

Proposing on the Oslofjord: A Practical Guide to a Private Cruise Proposal

Where to propose on the Oslofjord, the best month and time of day, what we plan in advance, and how three captains have helped guests get the moment right.

1 May 2026

Calm, open fjord with a steady horizon line

Guide8 min read

Will I Get Seasick on the Oslofjord? A Guide for Nervous Passengers

The inner Oslofjord is sheltered water, not open ocean. Why most guests never feel seasick here, the conditions that change that, and what we keep on board.

1 May 2026

A small private group around the table on board

Guide9 min read

Private vs Group Boat Tour on the Oslofjord: An Honest Comparison

Group tours run from NOK 350 a head; a private charter is the whole boat from NOK 16,688. What the price difference actually buys you.

1 May 2026

The boat passing a tall wooded island on the Oslofjord

Guide9 min read

Oslofjord vs Geirangerfjord: An Honest Comparison

Geirangerfjord has the cliffs and waterfalls; the Oslofjord has the city, the islands and a 100 km rift valley. Which one fits your trip.

1 May 2026

Guests in light summer clothes relaxing on board

Guide8 min read

What to Wear on an Oslo Fjord Boat Cruise: A Packing Guide by Month

What to wear on an Oslo Fjord boat tour, month by month. Layers, deck shoes, swimsuit, sunscreen — and why you do not need a heavy jacket in July.

1 May 2026

Deep, dark fjord water seen straight from above

History & Nature8 min read

Underwater Oslofjord: the cod is gone, and the food web inverted

The Inner Oslofjord beach seine survey caught zero adult cod in 2022. What replaced them: mackerel as top predator, shore crabs in explosion, sugar kelp on the red list.

3 June 2026

Following the boat's wake across open water

On the Water7 min read

Where the porpoises actually are: specific places in the inner Oslofjord

Where to look for harbour porpoises in the Oslofjord: Drøbaksundet, the deep water east of Nesoddtangen, Steilene and the island channels.

27 May 2026

Vast sky over the open fjord — sea eagle country

History & Nature8 min read

White-tailed eagles over the Oslofjord

After 126 years of absence, the havørn returned to the Oslofjord in 2008. Where it nests now, how to tell it from a golden eagle, and why it took so long.

20 May 2026

Passing a lighthouse island out in the fjord

Guide8 min read

Seabird colonies of the Oslofjord: which skerries, which birds, when to stay away

The inner Oslofjord has 14 seabird reserves with a strict access ban 15 April – 15 July. Which islands matter, and which birds nest there.

13 May 2026

On the Water9 min read

Winter on the Oslofjord: What the Cold Season Looks Like from the Shore

The boats come out of the water in October, and the fjord stays open. Floating saunas, ice swimming, Christmas in Drøbak, and a coastline that looks completely different under low Nordic light.

8 May 2026

Two guests back on deck after a swim in the fjord

On the Water8 min read

Floating Saunas and Ice Swimming: Oslo’s Fjord Bathing Culture

KOK, SALT, Oslo Badstuforening — the complete guide to Oslo’s floating saunas and where to take your first cold plunge in the Oslofjord.

6 May 2026

Low skerries and still water in evening light

Guide7 min read

Seals in the Oslofjord: where they really are

The big haul-outs are at Hvaler, Færder and Bolærne, not in the inner fjord. What the counts show, why a skerry at Steilene is named Selskjær, and your honest odds of seeing one.

3 May 2026

History & Nature13 min read

Oslo’s Maritime History: A Thousand Years on the Water

From Viking longships to electric ferries, the Oslofjord has been Norway’s most important waterway for a millennium. A history told from the water.

1 May 2026

Cruising clean, clear water along the shoreline

History & Nature9 min read

Oslo Harbor Cleanup: How the City Reclaimed Its Waterfront

Between 2006 and 2008, Oslo dredged 444,000 cubic meters of toxic sediment from its harbor. The result: Sørenga, Tjuvholmen, and a fjord you can swim in again.

29 April 2026

Guide11 min read

Where Did All the Cod Go? The Collapse of Oslofjord Fish Stocks

The Oslofjord cod population has dropped 80-90%. A timeline of what happened, why the fishing ban exists, and what it means for the fjord's future.

24 April 2026

Low skerries in the inner Oslofjord — seal and seabird waters

Guide8 min read

Wildlife on the Oslofjord: What You Will See from the Water

A seasonal guide to the wildlife of the Oslofjord — porpoises in the inner basin, seal haul-outs at Steilene, white-tailed eagles over Håøya.

22 April 2026

On the Water7 min read

Kayaking the Oslofjord with Mad Goats

Self-service kayaks in central Oslo — three city bases, guided sea tours, and the Akerselva river route. What Mad Goats offers and what you should know first.

24 April 2026

On the Water6 min read

eFoil on the Oslofjord: Flying Above the Fjord at Malmøya

Electric hydrofoil surfing on flat fjord water, ten minutes from central Oslo. What it feels like, what it costs, and how to book a session at Malmøya.

17 April 2026

The boat's wake across green fjord water

Guide7 min read

Fishing the Oslofjord: What You Can Catch, Where, and the Rules You Need to Know

Cod is fully protected and some zones are closed to all fishing. Here is what you can still catch in the Oslofjord, where, and the current rules.

15 April 2026

Shrimp lunch around the teak table on deck, seen from above

Guide7 min read

Dock and Dine: Restaurants You Can Reach by Boat on the Oslofjord

From Aker Brygge seafood to Drøbak harbor cafés and island taverns with century-old views. Every waterfront restaurant worth a visit on the Oslofjord.

10 April 2026

Passing a small islet with white timber buildings

Guide9 min read

Drøbak and Oscarsborg: The Day Trip That Explains Norwegian History

Where the fjord narrows to 500 metres and 1890s guns sank Germany’s newest warship. A complete guide to visiting Drøbak and Oscarsborg Fortress from Oslo.

8 April 2026

The Oslofjord from above, where kayakers explore the islands

Guide8 min read

Kayaking the Oslofjord: Routes, Rentals, and What You See at Water Level

Every rental operator, route, and practical detail for kayaking the Oslofjord. From beginner harbor paddles to full-day island expeditions.

3 April 2026

Approaching the Oslofjord islands on a calm summer day

History & Nature10 min read

Hovedøya: The Monastery Island Seven Minutes from Oslo

A Cistercian monastery from 1147, Napoleonic gun batteries and the inner fjord's best swimming rocks — seven minutes from City Hall pier.

1 April 2026

A sunset cruise on the Oslofjord at golden hour

Guide15 min read

The Oslofjord Month by Month: When to Visit and What to Expect

From the 6-hour winter days to the 19-hour summer nights, what each month on the Oslofjord actually looks like — temperatures, wildlife, activities, and what to wear.

29 March 2026

Cruising past a green island on the Oslofjord

Guide10 min read

Island Hopping on Oslo's Public Ferries: The Free Day Trip

A NOK 137 Ruter day pass unlocks six islands, free camping, monastery ruins, and hidden beaches. The complete guide to Oslo's public ferry network.

22 March 2026

Dusk falling over dark water on the fjord

History & Nature14 min read

The Sinking of the Blücher: The Night Oscarsborg Saved Norway

On April 9, 1940, an obsolete Norwegian fortress sank Germany's newest heavy cruiser in the Drøbak narrows. The twelve hours it bought changed the course of the war.

15 March 2026

Dark, quiet water in the inner Oslofjord

Guide7 min read

Harbour Porpoises in the Oslofjord: A Spotter's Guide

Harbour porpoises are in the inner Oslofjord year-round. When to spot them, where to look, and why they thrive in an urban fjord.

8 March 2026

History & Nature8 min read

Akershus Fortress: 700 Years Guarding the Oslofjord

From its construction in 1299 to the German surrender in 1945, Akershus Fortress has watched over the Oslofjord for seven centuries.

8 March 2026

History & Nature9 min read

From Oslo to England: Harald Hardrada's Viking Fleet

In 1066, 300 longships sailed from the Oslofjord carrying 15,000 men. Only 24 returned. The story of Hardrada's invasion and the end of the Viking Age.

8 March 2026

Guests laughing together around the table on board

On the Water8 min read

What guests write about: a tailored route, a local captain, a boat to themselves

Guests keep mentioning the same things: a route built around what you want, local captains, and a private boat that never feels like a tourist trip.

7 March 2026

A family gathered around the food-laden teak table on deck, seen from directly above

On the Water7 min read

A Family Day on the Fjord: Champagne for the Parents, Cannonballs for the Kids

What a private boat tour looks like with children on board. Ages, safety, and what kids actually love most.

7 March 2026

A guest laughing on deck in golden evening light over the fjord

On the Water6 min read

Golden hour on the Oslofjord

At 60°N, golden hour stretches past ninety minutes. Why the light lasts so long here, and what it does to the fjord.

6 March 2026

A guest on the swim platform while others swim in the Oslofjord behind

Guide8 min read

Summer on the Oslofjord: A Month-by-Month Guide

What to do in Oslo from May through September. Water temperatures, daylight hours, island access, and the best month for swimming and sunsets.

5 March 2026

Anchored in a sheltered cove near the Oslofjord islands at sunset

Guide7 min read

The Best Beaches and Swimming Spots on the Oslofjord

From Huk and Sorenga to the coves only boats can reach. Oslo's best beaches, water temperatures, and where locals actually swim.

4 March 2026

A guest jumping into the Oslofjord from the swim platform

Guide8 min read

Swimming in the Oslofjord: The Moment That Makes the Trip

Yes, you can swim. The water is clean, 18-22 degrees C in summer, and the boat has a swim ladder. Here is what it is actually like.

3 March 2026

Aerial view of the boat cruising past a wooded island under a blue summer sky

Guide9 min read

The Islands of the Oslofjord: A Complete Guide

Every island in the inner Oslofjord — from Hovedøya's 12th-century monastery to Langøyene's sandy beach. Ferry routes, swimming spots, and history.

2 March 2026

Guests looking out over the fjord by a lighthouse in evening light

Guide7 min read

What Is the Oslofjord? Geography, Geology, and Why It Is Not a Real Fjord

The Oslofjord is not a fjord. It is a 300-million-year-old rift valley. Depth, geography, the Drøbak Sill, and why this matters.

1 March 2026