Summers boat trips

M/S Marianne

Experience the Mariestad archipelago

The ship M/S Marianne's regular trips depart from the guest harbor in Mariestad during the summer. During the period June 24 – August 8 2026, trips on Vänern will be made several days a week. Go to the summer idyll of Sjötorp where the Göta Canal meets Vänern and experience canal locks, a canal museum and cozy little stalls with fresh fish, crafts and ice cream. Or try one of the Onsö or Torsö tours where you get a nice view of the islands from the boat. On one occasion you can go to Hällekis and, for example, visit the Falkängens handicraft village. You can also join a shorter tour of about 1 hour where you get to see Mariestad from the lakeside. There are also a few evening tours with music and food service on board. M/S Marianne has been officially recognized as a historic landmark as it is one of Lake Vänern's oldest passenger ships and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2022. Also available for charter.

M/S Bellevue

Day trip on the Göta Canal or shrimp cruise on Vänern.

The canal boat M/S Bellevue, with its home port in Sjötorp, has been operating on the Göta Canal for over 40 seasons. From May to September, day trips are offered between Sjötorp and Töreboda. The route passes no less than 16 canal locks and several villages living of the canal that are bustling with life during the summer. Bellevue also does shrimp cruises on Lake Vänern, departing from Sjötorp on several occasions. The trip goes in the evening from Sjötorp out to Vänern and back with a lock. On board, you can enjoy a delicious shrimp platter. Bellevue can also be booked for charter trips.

Mariestads sjÖservice

Take the boat Legolas to Djurö National Park, Sundays from May to August, departing from Mariestad harbour. Experience Sweden's most isolated archipelago in the middle of Lake Vänern. Booking on other days is possible as per agreement. Mariestads sjÖservice also runs water taxis to other places in the archipelago, such as Brommö and Laxhall.

The Väner Sloop Oskar II

The Väner Sloop Oskar II is a replica of a väner sloop that was used in the 19th century. Built at Sjötorp shipyard where she also has her home port. Oskar II offers tours on the Göta Canal and Lake Vänern as well as boarding at her berth in the lower harbor basin of the Göta Canal during the summer.

M/S Pärla

Close-to-nature experiences by boat and kayak

If you want to combine the boat trip with another activity, Vänern Outdoor has the experience for you. With the motorsailer M/S Pärla, you can travel to Djurö National Park, right in the heart of Lake Vänern. Djurö consists of around 30 islands with, among other things, a rich birdlife and grazing fallow deer on the main island. For those who want to experience even more, there are multi-day trips with, among other things, kayaking in various places in the Vänern archipelago and stops at interesting tourist attractions on land. During the trip, you will stay and eat aboard M/S Pärla, which will be the starting point for the day trips. The trips provide fantastic opportunities to closely experience both wildlife and nature. M/S Pärla can also be rented for tours on your own (skipper's qualification and/or documented experience of slightly larger boats is required).

Vänertrolling

Boat charter for a full day to Djurö National Park. Departure from Laxhall on Torsö. The boat takes a maximum of 7 passengers per trip. During weeks 27-29, Laxhall Hamnkrog & Konferens handles the booking of the Djurö tours.

Boat taxi in the archipelago

For those looking for boat transport to, for example, Brommö, Kalvö, Onsö or Djurö, there are several options for boat taxis. From Mariestad harbour, Mariestads sjÖservice will take you out to the archipelago. They also have a smaller boat to rent.

Vänertrolling departs from Laxhall on Torsö. Vänertrolling also offers sport fishing trips on Lake Vänern as well.

If you want to go from Sjötorp, Askevik or Otterbäcken, Storön Gården can help.

 M/S Wilhelm Tham

Göta Canal Highlights

Experience three wonderful days along the beautiful Göta Canal aboard M/S Wilhelm Tham. The journey takes you from Mariestad to Norsholm, or vice versa, and passes many sights along the way. The boat is stationary at night so you get to experience the entire tour. The historic canal boat M/S Wilhelm Tham was launched in 1912 and is one of the canal's oldest passenger boats still in use. On board the ship there are 25 cabins divided over three decks. On the middle deck there is a lounge and dining room where passengers enjoy meals in a period-typical environment. From the covered aft deck you have a fantastic view of the canal's varied nature.