Kjøpmannskjær: Paddling in the Archipelago

Kjøpmannskjær lies south of Nøtterøy and forms the centre of Vrengensundet, between Nøtterøy and Tjøme. The small town combines a busy marina during the summer season with paddling routes, a catamaran trip through the archipelago and coastal beaches. If you are looking for an apartment or holiday home for your vacation, the range of maritime experiences offers a useful starting point: consider whether you mainly want to be out on the water or also plan to spend time on paths and stretches of beach.

Paddling routes of varying lengths

Kjøpmannskjær is a starting point for short and long paddling trips in Færder National Park. Route 39, “Indre Vrengen,” is 5 kilometres long and takes 1–2 hours. Route 38 runs from Kjøpmannskjær via Torød and back; it is 10 kilometres long and is listed as taking 2–3 hours. It follows the southern end of Nøtterøy through sheltered waters.

Harbour, boat trip and sauna

Kjøpmannskjær is one of Færder Municipality’s small-craft harbours. During the summer season, the town is also known for its popular, busy marina. For a catamaran trip through the archipelago, the meeting point is at Kjøpmannskjær Marina; other harbours can be arranged. This means that, alongside the paddling routes, a catamaran trip is another maritime option.

The harbour facilities include a pump-out station for boat toilets. Another place to visit is the floating sauna Bris Badstu, which is a few minutes’ walk from the Kjøpmannskjær syd bus stop. The marina’s seasonal popularity may also be a factor when choosing where to stay: it suits a trip where the town’s maritime life is part of the experience.

Beaches and coastal path

Presthella og Ropern near Kjøpmannskjær has rocky shores and a small sandy beach. From the bathing spot, a coastal path leads east along the southern end of Nøtterøy. This stretch of coast therefore offers two different options: a visit to the beach and a walk along the shore.

Fuglevika near Kjøpmannskjær is a small, gently sloping beach with a grassy area. Together with the rocky shore and small sandy beach at Presthella og Ropern, it shows that the coastline does not have the same character everywhere.

Choose the right focus for your holiday

When looking for an apartment in Kjøpmannskjær, you can start by choosing the focus you want: a shorter or longer paddling route, a catamaran trip, a coastal walk or a beach. The five-kilometre Route 39 and the ten-kilometre Route 38 differ in length and stated duration; the coastal areas, in turn, offer rocky shores, a sandy beach or a grassy area. These specific differences can help you decide whether Kjøpmannskjær matches your holiday preferences. If you would like to explore other places in the same selection, you can also find Vestskogen, Nøtterøy, Torød and Veierland.

Go to the main travel overview: Nøtterøy.