By the Stockholm By Boat captain team · Last updated

Grinda

Grinda is an island in the middle Stockholm archipelago, immediately south of Ljusterö in Värmdö municipality. By private boat from Strandvägen, the trip takes about 1h 15min by motorboat or 2h 25min by yacht. Recommended stay: half day, full day.

A nature-reserve island in the middle archipelago, with two steamboat jetties, beaches, walking trails and Grinda Wärdshus from 1906.

Aerial view of Grinda's pine-covered shore and guest harbour jetties in the Stockholm archipelago

Grinda is an island in the middle Stockholm archipelago, immediately south of Ljusterö in Värmdö municipality. The island, together with the surrounding islets and water, forms the Grinda nature reserve, protected since 2000. According to Länsstyrelsen Stockholm, the reserve covers 503 hectares, of which 178 hectares are land, and Skärgårdsstiftelsen, the Archipelago Foundation, is both landowner and manager. The nature is typical of the middle archipelago: bare rock and pine forest, groves of broadleaf trees and open farmland in the centre of the island. The City of Stockholm took over Grinda in 1947, and since then the island has been an important outdoor area with rental cottages and a campsite. The lookout at Klubbudden is the highest point on the island, at 35 metres. Skärgårdsstiftelsen describes paths between the north and south jetties, child-friendly beaches, sun-warmed rocks at Källviken, a nature and culture trail, and a stretch of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail through forest, open meadows and rocky shores. Grinda's farm keeps cows, horses and other animals that graze the cultural landscape. In the middle of the island is Grinda Wärdshus, the large summer villa that Henrik Santesson, the first managing director of the Nobel Foundation, had built in 1906. Today you can eat and stay there. In summer there is also a café and a general store with groceries for self-catering. Camping is only allowed at the campsite near the north jetty, dogs must be kept on a lead, and fires may only be lit at designated places. Grinda has two jetties with scheduled boats, Södra Grinda and Norra Grinda. Grinda Wärdshus says the walk from either jetty to the inn takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Waxholmsbolaget and Strömma's Cinderella boats run several trips a day in summer; Strömma lists a journey time of 1 hour 30 minutes from Strandvägen, with stops including Nacka Strand and Vaxholm. From Strandvägen, the route via Vaxholm is an estimated 19 nautical miles: about 11 nautical miles to Vaxholm, according to Båtturistguiden's distance table, and about 8 nautical miles on to Grinda. Cruise time is about 1h 15min at 15 knots in a motorboat and about 2h 25min at 8 knots in a yacht. These are estimated cruise times at those speeds, not a scheduled departure, and the actual time depends on traffic, speed limits and conditions on the water.

Best time to visit: June-August

Travel time from Strandvägen: motorboat 1h 15min, yacht 2h 25min

Grinda at a glance

TypeIsland
Travel time by motorboat1h 15min from Strandvägen
Travel time by yacht2h 25min from Strandvägen
Best time to visitJune-August
Recommended stayHalf day, Full day
AmenitiesToilet, Restaurant, Seating, Café, Drinking water, Shower, Trash bins, Wheelchair access, Guest Harbor
Coordinates59.4108, 18.5640

Things to do on Grinda

Swim from the beaches or the rocks at Källviken, walk the nature and culture trail or the Stockholm Archipelago Trail, climb to the lookout at Klubbudden, the island's highest point at 35 metres, see the farm animals, and eat at Grinda Wärdshus.

Where to dock at Grinda

Grinda has a guest harbour.

Pictures from Grinda

Fish dish with lemon, bread and a glass of white wine on an outdoor table on GrindaYellow and blue trail marker on a tree beside a calm, rocky bay with a red cottage on GrindaGrinda from above – guest harbour with moored boats beside pine forest and granite cliffsBoats moored along the jetties of Grinda's guest harbour on a sunny daySunset over moored sailboats and motorboats in a bay on GrindaWaterside restaurant terrace with white tents by the rocks on Grinda

Go to Grinda with our boats

Private boats with a licensed captain from Strandvägen. Cruise times are estimates at 15 knots by motorboat and 8 knots by yacht.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Grinda?

Grinda is in the middle Stockholm archipelago, immediately south of Ljusterö in Värmdö municipality. The whole island is a nature reserve owned and managed by Skärgårdsstiftelsen.

How long does it take to reach Grinda by boat?

From Strandvägen via Vaxholm the route is an estimated 19 nautical miles: about 1h 15min at 15 knots in a motorboat and about 2h 25min at 8 knots in a yacht. Those are estimates. Strömma's Cinderella boats list 1 hour 30 minutes from Strandvägen.

Is Grinda a nature reserve?

Yes. Grinda has been a nature reserve since 2000. It covers 503 hectares, of which 178 hectares are land. In the reserve, dogs must be kept on a lead, fires may only be lit at designated places and camping is only allowed at the campsite near the north jetty.

What is there to do on Grinda?

Swim from the beaches or the rocks at Källviken, walk the nature and culture trail or the Stockholm Archipelago Trail, climb to the lookout at Klubbudden, the island's highest point at 35 metres, see the farm animals, and eat at Grinda Wärdshus.

Where do you arrive on Grinda?

Grinda has two jetties with scheduled boats, Södra Grinda and Norra Grinda. Södra Grinda is the busiest, and the walk from either jetty to Grinda Wärdshus takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

When is the best time to visit Grinda?

The best time to visit by boat is June to August. The café and the general store are open in summer, and Grinda Wärdshus serves food and has rooms.

Nearby destinations

About Stockholm By Boat

Stockholm By Boat is a Stockholm-based private boat charter company. We arrange private boat trips with a licensed captain in Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago, and most charters depart from Strandvägen in central Stockholm. Our fleet includes more than 50 motorboats, yachts, sailboats and event vessels, supported by over 40 professional captains. Destination guides like this one are written and kept up to date by our captain team.

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Visit Grinda by private boat

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