Rent a boat in Skien
Boats for rent in Skien
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Skien is the capital of Telemark and the starting point for the historic Telemark Canal. Rent a boat and explore the canal, Lake Norsjø or head down the Porsgrunn river to the coast.
Boat rental in Skien at a glance
- Boats for rent
- 10 boats
- With skipper or captain
- 4 of 10
- People on board
- up to 12
Boat rental prices in Skien
| Boats | From | Typical price | Boats with a price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boats rented by the day | NOK 1,500/day | NOK 3,900/day | 10 |
Listed prices of the boats on this page, rounded; the typical price is the median. Prices vary by date, season and rental length, and each boat shows the exact price for your dates.
Rent a boat near Skien
Renting a boat in Skien: questions and answers
What does it cost to rent a boat in Skien?
Boats rented by the day cost from NOK 1,500 per day, and the typical price is NOK 3,900 per day (10 boats with a price). Prices vary by date and season, and each boat shows the exact price for your dates.
Can I rent a boat with a skipper in Skien?
Yes. 4 of the 10 boats on this page can be rented with a skipper or captain, so nobody in your group has to drive.
How many people can come along on a rental boat in Skien?
The largest boat here takes up to 12 people, and a typical boat takes 8.
Do I need a boat licence in Norway?
If you were born on or after 1 January 1980, you need a Norwegian boat licence (båtførerbevis) to drive a boat longer than 8 metres or with more than 25 hp. Valid foreign licences such as the ICC are recognised. Read our full licence guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I rent a boat in Skien?
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Skien?
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Skien?
Boat rental in Skien – Discover the area from the water
With a rental boat from Skien you can explore the coast and waters at your own pace. Whether you are planning a calm day trip, a fishing excursion or a longer boat holiday – Ship O´Hoi makes it easy to find and book the perfect boat. Choose from small dinghies and open console boats to large cabin cruisers and sailboats.
Skien: where the Telemark Canal meets the river
Skien sits at the top of the navigable river, and that shapes every boat trip from here. A few owners on this page are in Skien, with a day cruiser and a larger cabin cruiser on the river south of the centre. Most of the rest are downstream in Porsgrunn, and a RIB is at Herre on the Frierfjord. The mix runs from small open boats to cabin cruisers, including electric-drive cruisers.
Two directions open up from town: - Upstream, the Telemark Canal starts at Skien lock on Smieøya, a single chamber that lifts boats 5 m into Hjellevannet. The three chambers at Løveid in Skotfoss then raise you another 10.3 m to Lake Norsjø, 15.3 m above sea level. The whole waterway to Dalen is 105 km with 18 lock chambers. - Downstream, the river runs through Porsgrunn and meets the Frierfjord at Herøya, with Brevik and the islands of the Langesundsfjord beyond.
The river itself is slow water: the fairway from Skien lock down through Porsgrunn has a 5-knot limit for pleasure craft. If you want to take a rented boat through the locks, agree it with the owner first. Our Grenland by boat guide covers the canal, the river and the islands off Brevik.
Guides: boating in and around Skien
Grenland by boat: Porsgrunn, Brevik and the Telemark Canal
Boat trips in Grenland, Norway: the river from Skien to Porsgrunn, Brevik and its islands, Langesund and Langøya, and the Telemark Canal from Skien.
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Alcohol Limits at Sea in Norway: Rules, Fines, and Practical Examples
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The Norwegian Sea Safety Rules Explained: The Short Version You Will Actually Remember
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