Sailing in the Gdansk Bay

We got on the Borad of Bryza H with captain Michał Kobyliński. Brayza H has 72 tons and even with 7 on the Beaufort scale we could leave the harbour. Regardless of the weather, we had two days full of fun. Evenings with gitara concert till late in the night. Games for kids. Walks, restaurants and bars on the beach.

I have not been in Gdańsk and Gdynia for years and I was impressed how they develop. Gdańsk cicty center by night is full of live and jsut beautiful. The harbour in Gdynia starts looking like the hourbors in Sweeden that I admiered 15 years ago. Happy to see all of that.

Szafarnia, Gdańsk center - we got on the boat

Harbour in Gdynia

Kayaking on Archipelago Sea, Finland

This time we went on a trip without kids. Whole Finland is very safe and kid friendly, however kayaking on the sea was a bit too much for our kids. It would be definitely possible taking them for one day but not for a one week round trip. The winds might become quite heavy or waves too high. Plus sometimes it is nice to spend some time just as a pair.

To begin with: there were very little mosquitoes (because of the wind from the sea) and it was warm (20-25) which was perfect, because in the middle Europe it was this week when was 35-38 degrees. So all that we were afraid about, did not happen.

The coastline in National Park Archipelago is very beautiful - maps don’t lie, just islands, islands and island. Just behind the corner you see that the land you have seen from the distance is actually yet another island. Not prolonging of the one near you. The rocks smooth in the last ice age are heated from the sun, inviting you to land on the island and rest there. There were no people there(!). One can just choose some island for a rest or for a night and have it exclusively.

On lots of islands is some cottage or sauna, but even in the top season most of the cottages were empty. On the island Noto we camped on the camping site with sauna and open kitchen. As everywhere in Finland the camping sites are perfectly prepared, with wood and very clean. There is almost no plastic waste anywhere.

It is highly recommended using GPS and electronic maps for navigation. It would be too easy getting lost. Check the weather forecast regularly is a must. The cell phone coverage is excellent everywhere. At the end of our journey we’ve paddled during the wind 9 in Beaufort scale, however it was manageable while being hidden behind the islands. Just do not go against the wind or on open water. Even by so strong wind the waves are not too high between the islands. On the open sea it could be too much.

There were no people but we also have an impression that there are not too many animals and we did not manage to catch any fish.

We enjoyed a lot. Kayak is good choice for Archipelago (without kids). I can also image to visit that place again with kids on a sailing boat.

Sailing on Szczecin Lagoon (Zalew Szczeciński, Stettiner Haff)

3 days round on Johnson 26 that we rent in Stepnica. First day we sail to Świnoujście. Second to Dziwnów (on Baltic Sea) and thought Wolin back to Stapinca on the third day. The marina in Dziwnów was much better then in Świnoujście - located closer to the beach, with place for washing the dishes and fishing port nearby. On night we slept on the anchor and enjoy the sunrise on the water.

Baltic Sea in Rowy

Like in the most places at the Polish coastline, in Rowy you can enjoy wide beaches, with an aromatic pine forest behind the dunes. On the east and west the pine forest grows on wider areas and on the east part creates Słowiński National Park. Great place for kids and adults.