Best Self-Guided Island Trips Worldwide — Our Top 9

1.The Santa Maria 3 Island Cruise in the Aegean w/ Free Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30Our pick

From Kos, you’ll spend about 7.5 hours aboard the Santa Maria, visiting Pserimos, Plati, and Kalymnos. Expect a sandy beach, turquoise swimming stops, a short dolphin-watching session, a port visit in Vathy, and a traditional BBQ lunch served on board. A smartphone audio guide, restroom, and WiFi are included.

“Beautiful relaxing day with swimming opportunities. Staff were friendly and helpful. Enjoyed the trip.”

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2.3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island with Personalized Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $32

Set out from Kos at 9:30 am for a 7.5-hour boat trip to Kalymnos, Pserimos, and tiny Platy. You’ll look for dolphins near fish farms, visit Vathy, swim from the boat and beach, enjoy a Greek lunch, and use a smartphone audio guide. Wi-Fi, a restroom, music, and drinks for purchase are included on board.

“The trip was fun. The boat is a bit bigger than others so it was likely steadier in the water. Get there early if you want.a spot to layout on deck rather than a seat. Crew was entertaining.”

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3.3-Island Cruise with Lunch, Swimming and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 341 reviews · 7h 30m · from $29Best value

Spend about seven hours aboard the Santa Maria, an 80-foot wooden boat, visiting Kalymnos, Platy, and Pserimos. Swim from the boat, watch for dolphins, enjoy a Greek barbecue, and use a free phone audio guide in your language. Guides such as Alex and Alexander add humor and energy, while drinks and souvenirs cost extra.

“Had the best day! Excellent value for money! The lunch was delicious and drinks tasty! The staff were amazing especially Ariel! Made our holiday!”

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4.5-Day Kayak & Wildcamp the Archipelago of Sweden – Self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $938

You’ll kayak through Sweden’s St. Anna and Gryt archipelagos on a five-day self-guided trip from Norrköping. Do the North supplies kayaks, tents, cooking gear, food order, navigation notes, safety briefing, transport, and 24-hour support. Expect remote islands, sea eagles, village stops, saunas, and flexible wild camping.

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5.4-Day Stockholm Archipelago Self-Guided Kayak and Wild Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $555

Spend four days kayaking and camping among Stockholm’s outer islands with The Kayak Trail. Jakob, Adam, Ellen, Jonathan, or another guide from the team will brief you on safety, routes, weather, and low-impact camping before you set off. You get kayaks, tents, cooking gear, transfers, a guidebook, and phone support, but food costs extra.

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6.4-Day Kayak & Wildcamp the Archipelago of Sweden – Self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $833

You’ll meet at Norrköping Centralstation at 10:00 a.m., transfer to Saint Anna, and receive kayaks, camping gear, a safety briefing, maps, and a phone for weather and contact. Then you’ll paddle independently among more than 6,000 islands, choose your camps, cook outdoors, and return after four days.

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7.Ultimate Hawaii Road Trip: 4-Island Self-Guided Audio Tours

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 8 reviews · 15 to 20 hours (approx.)

Drive and walk across four Hawaiian islands with the Action Tour Guide app. Follow GPS-triggered stories along the Road to Hana, Waikiki, Honolulu, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Download everything on Wi-Fi first, then tour offline, pause freely, and share one purchase with up to four people.

“Perfect. And so much cheaper than a guided tour. We only made it to 1/2 way before turning around. Motion sickness took us down.”

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8.2-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $288

Start at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm, collect a single or double sea kayak, camping kit, cooking gear, map, and compass, then receive a safety briefing and route advice. Paddle independently through the Stockholm Archipelago, camp beside the water, and return your equipment at the same center after two days.

“First, the camping package they provide furnishes everything you need: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, headlight with red bulb to maintain night vision, and mess kit. The kayak was in perfect condition and the employees were just fantastic. I highly recommend this company and if I manage to get back to Sweden, I'm definitely doing this again!”

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9.3-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $342

Set out from Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm for three days of self-guided sea kayaking. You get a single or double kayak, camping kit, cooking gear, map, compass, and a safety briefing, then choose your route among the Stockholm Archipelago’s islands.

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