Kosterhavet National Park Travel Guide - Free Web & App

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Kosterhavet National Park
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Kosterhavet National Park in Sweden offers island walks, clear coastal waters, marine wildlife, kayaking and Bohuslän heritage around the Koster Islands.

Islands, Reefs and Open Sea

Kosterhavet National Park lies off Sweden’s northern Bohuslän coast, surrounding the Koster Islands and a richly varied marine landscape extending towards the Norwegian border. Established in 2009 as Sweden’s first national marine park, it protects a mosaic of skerries, sheltered bays, tidal channels, seaweed forests, eelgrass meadows and deeper waters shaped by the open Skagerrak. The park is especially important for marine life, including seals, porpoises, lobsters, crabs and a wide diversity of fish and seabirds. Cold-water coral environments, including the Kosterhavet area’s distinctive deep-sea reefs, add an unusual ecological dimension to this otherwise granite-fringed coast.
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The Koster Islands

Sydkoster and Nordkoster provide the principal land-based access to the park, although much of Kosterhavet is marine rather than terrestrial. Sydkoster has small settlements, beaches, rocky shorelines and walking routes through open coastal scenery, while compact Nordkoster is known for its rugged terrain, quiet coves and the historic Valfjäll lighthouse. The islands’ low woods, heather, pasture and smooth rocks reflect both natural forces and generations of farming and fishing. Naturum Kosterhavet at Ekenäs on Sydkoster offers an introduction to the park’s marine habitats and conservation work.

A Working Coast

Kosterhavet is not simply a wilderness removed from human life. Fishing, boating, small-scale agriculture and coastal settlement remain part of the islands’ identity, and local communities have long depended on the sea’s seasonal resources. Visitors can explore the landscape independently on foot, join marine-focused activities from the surrounding coast, or use the Koster Islands as a base for understanding Bohuslän’s distinctive relationship with the Skagerrak. Strömstad, on the mainland, is the principal gateway for boats, supplies, accommodation and further exploration.

When is the best time to visit Kosterhavet National Park?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January140
February135
March330
April925
May1720
June (best)2115
July (best)2320
August (best)2230
September1835
October1340
November645
December150

Getting to and around Kosterhavet National Park

How to get there

The usual mainland gateway is Strömstad in northern Bohuslän. Strömstad is connected by road and by the Bohusbanan railway from the direction of Gothenburg, and regional bus services also serve the town. From Strömstad, passenger boats connect with the Koster Islands; routes, calling points and frequency vary by season, so current information should be checked before departure. Kosterhavet is a large marine park rather than a single entrance, and some organised marine excursions depart from mainland coastal settlements as well as from the islands. Travellers arriving by air generally use a larger regional airport and continue by rail, bus or car to Strömstad.

Transportation

Sydkoster and Nordkoster are explored mainly on foot, using established island paths and local roads, while boats provide the essential link between the islands and Strömstad. Some visitors bring or hire bicycles, but availability and arrangements should be confirmed locally, particularly outside the main season. The park’s waters are extensive and its attractions are dispersed, so a single walk cannot represent the whole area. Car travel is useful for reaching mainland gateways and nearby coastal sites, but visitors should not assume that a private vehicle can be taken to every island or shoreline location. Weather, boat connections and local access conditions can affect plans.

Best attractions in Kosterhavet National Park

Kosterhavet’s principal attractions are its island coast and the marine world surrounding it. Sydkoster offers a varied mix of small settlements, pasture, woodland, beaches and granite shorelines, with walking routes leading between viewpoints and landing places. Nordkoster is more compact and rugged, and the Valfjäll lighthouse provides a memorable orientation point above the island’s rocky coastal scenery. At Ekenäs on Sydkoster, Naturum Kosterhavet introduces the park’s species, habitats and conservation work. Around both islands, sheltered channels contrast with open skerries and deeper water containing seaweed habitats, eelgrass, shellfish grounds and cold-water coral environments. Seals may be seen from suitable coastal viewpoints or on boat excursions, while porpoises and seabirds are seasonal possibilities rather than guaranteed sightings. Strömstad serves as the mainland gateway, with marine excursions and practical facilities that complement the quieter island experience without forming part of the national park itself.

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Best landmarks in Kosterhavet National Park

Kosterhavet’s defining landmarks are largely natural and maritime. The Koster Islands’ granite shores, narrow channels and scattered skerries express the geological character of northern Bohuslän, while the open sea marks a sharp transition from sheltered island water to the wider Skagerrak. Valfjäll lighthouse on Nordkoster is an important navigational and cultural feature, standing within a landscape historically shaped by seafaring and coastal fishing. On Sydkoster, Naturum Kosterhavet at Ekenäs is the park’s principal interpretive landmark, explaining habitats that cannot be seen from land, including eelgrass, seaweed communities and deeper marine environments. Beneath the surface, Kosterhavet’s cold-water coral habitats and species-rich seabed are among its most significant ecological features. The islands’ pasture, stone boundaries, small settlements and boat landings are cultural landmarks in a broader sense, preserving the visible relationship between local communities and the sea.

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Explore Kosterhavet National Park on the map

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Best restaurants in Kosterhavet National Park

Dining in Kosterhavet is shaped by the islands’ small population and seasonal visitor pattern rather than by a dense restaurant scene. Sydkoster has the greatest concentration of visitor-oriented food options within the island community, while Nordkoster’s facilities are more limited and may depend strongly on the season. Local menus and food shops draw on Bohuslän’s coastal traditions, with seafood, shellfish and fish commonly associated with the region, alongside simple café food and provisions for walking or boating days. Strömstad offers the broadest choice of restaurants, cafés, supermarkets and takeaway options and is the most dependable place to stock up before travelling to the islands. Visitors staying in self-catering accommodation should plan supplies carefully, particularly outside the principal summer period, and should not assume that a remote landing place will have a restaurant or shop nearby.

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Best bars in Kosterhavet National Park

Evenings in Kosterhavet are generally quiet and connected to island hospitality, rather than to a formal nightlife district. Sydkoster may offer seasonal opportunities to eat, drink or meet locally, while traditional coastal inns and hospitality venues in the wider Bohuslän area provide a more typical setting for an evening drink. Nordkoster has fewer services, and opening patterns can vary with the season. Strömstad, outside the national park and reached by boat from the islands, has the region’s broader selection of pubs, hotel bars and evening venues, particularly during the summer. There is no reason to expect a cluster of nightclubs within Kosterhavet itself; the appeal after dark is more likely to be a peaceful island setting, a meal or a drink after a day outdoors, with transport arrangements planned around the final boat connection.

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Best shops in Kosterhavet National Park

Shopping within Kosterhavet is modest and concentrated around seasonal island services rather than permanent retail districts. Sydkoster is the more useful island for basic provisions and locally oriented visitor purchases, while Nordkoster has fewer facilities. Visitors may find regional food products, coastal-themed crafts and small-scale handmade goods in island shops or seasonal outlets, but availability changes and should not be assumed. Strömstad provides the most reliable choice of supermarkets, outdoor supplies, pharmacies and other practical shopping, making it sensible for visitors to buy food and equipment before taking the boat. The wider Bohuslän region is associated with seafood, coastal food traditions, arts and crafts, and maritime design, although individual products and makers vary. Shopping is therefore best approached as part of the local island and coastal economy rather than as a major attraction in its own right.

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Kosterhavet National Park essentials

Currency and Payment
Sweden uses the Swedish krona, written SEK or kr. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in Sweden, including in many transport and hospitality settings, but smaller island businesses, seasonal services or informal providers may have different arrangements. Carrying a modest reserve of Swedish currency is sensible when travelling away from Strömstad, although cash machines and banking services are more likely to be found on the mainland than on the Koster Islands. Visitors should not rely on finding a cash machine close to a remote landing place, and it is worth confirming payment methods for boats, equipment hire and small local businesses in advance.
Safety
Kosterhavet combines exposed coast, uneven granite, marine traffic and changeable weather. Wear suitable footwear on rocky paths, take care near shore edges and avoid judging conditions solely by a calm appearance in sheltered water. Wind, rain, cold water and reduced visibility can develop quickly, while boat crossings may be affected by weather. Keep clear of working vessels and follow local signs around protected habitats, nesting areas and landing places. Anyone exploring by kayak or other small craft should have appropriate experience and equipment, check conditions carefully and avoid treating the park’s sheltered channels as uniformly safe. Mobile coverage and assistance may be less reliable on the water than in Strömstad.
Emergency Situations
Call 112 in Sweden for urgent police, fire or medical assistance, including emergencies at sea. State that you are in or near Kosterhavet National Park and give the island, landing place, trail position, boat name or other precise location information available; clear landmarks and travel direction can help responders. For non-urgent medical advice, Swedish healthcare guidance is available through 1177, while 114 14 is used for non-emergency police matters. On remote islands and offshore waters, assistance may take longer than in a town, so carry a charged phone, avoid unnecessary risks and tell someone your planned route when travelling independently.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to established paths where requested, close gates, respect grazing animals and do not enter private land or buildings. Leave rocks, plants, shells and archaeological or historic features in place, take litter away and never disturb seals, seabirds or other wildlife. Boats and kayaks should avoid sensitive shores, crowded seal sites and bird colonies, particularly during breeding seasons, and visitors should follow local navigation and conservation guidance. Respect working fishers, residents and other boats, keep noise low near settlements, and check the rules applying to fishing, landing, fires, dogs and other activities because restrictions can vary within the protected marine area.
Local Tips
Strömstad is the most practical base for transport, food and supplies, while staying on Sydkoster or Nordkoster allows earlier and quieter access to the islands. Treat Naturum Kosterhavet at Ekenäs as an orientation stop rather than assuming it replaces a wider visit to the park’s marine environments. Combine a land walk with a boat-based or guided marine experience to appreciate how much of Kosterhavet lies below the surface. Keep plans flexible around boat times and weather, and allow extra time for the return journey rather than scheduling a mainland connection too closely after an island visit.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHej[hey]
GoodbyeAdjö[ad-yu]
YesJa[ya]
NoNej[nay]
Please/You're welcomeSnälla/Tack[snail-la/tack]
Thank youTack[tack]
Excuse me/SorryUrsäkta[oor-sek-ta]
How are you?Hur mår du?[hur mor doo]
Fine. And you?Bra. Och du?[bra. okh doo]
Do you speak English?Talar du engelska?[ta-lar doo eng-el-ska]
I don't understandJag förstår inte[yahg for-stor een-te]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJag skulle vilja se menyn, tack[yahg skul-le vil-ya say me-nin, tack]
I don't eat meatJag äter inte kött[yahg at-er een-te chot]
Cheers!Skål![skol]
I would like to pay, pleaseJag skulle vilja betala, tack[yahg skul-le vil-ya bet-ta-la, tack]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjälp![yelp]
Go away!Gå iväg![go iv-ayg]
Call the Police!Ring polisen![ring po-lee-sen]
Call a doctor!Ring en läkare![ring en la-kar-e]
I'm lostJag är vilse[yahg air vil-se]
I'm illJag är sjuk[yahg air shuuk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Jag skulle vilja köpa...[yahg skul-le vil-ya chaw-pa]
I'm just lookingJag tittar bara[yahg tee-tar ba-ra]
How much is it?Hur mycket kostar det?[hur my-ket kost-ar det]
That's too expensiveDet är för dyrt[det air fur deert]
Can you lower the price?Kan du sänka priset?[kan doo sain-ka pre-set]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Vad är klockan?[vad air klok-an]
It's one o'clockKlockan är ett[klok-an air et]
Half past (10)Halv (tio)[halv tee-o]
MorningMorgon[mor-gon]
AfternoonEftermiddag[ef-ter-mid-dag]
EveningKväll[kvel]
YesterdayIgår[ee-gor]
TodayIdag[ee-dag]
TomorrowImorgon[ee-mor-gon]
1Ett[et]
2Två[tvo]
3Tre[tre]
4Fyra[fyra]
5Fem[fem]
6Sex[sex]
7Sju[shu]
8Åtta[ot-ta]
9Nio[nee-o]
10Tio[tee-o]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Var finns en/ett...?[var fins en/et]
What's the address?Vad är adressen?[vad air ad-ress-en]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan du visa mig (på kartan)?[kan doo vee-sa may (poh kart-an)]
When's the next (bus)?När går nästa (buss)?[nair gor nes-ta (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)En biljett (till ....)[en bil-yet (til)]

History of Kosterhavet National Park

Bohuslän’s Geological Foundations

The Koster landscape was formed over geological timescales by ancient bedrock, glacial erosion and the continuing action of the sea. Granite islands, narrow channels and rounded rocks are characteristic of northern Bohuslän, while submerged reefs and deeper marine basins create a varied underwater terrain around the Koster Islands. The retreat of the last ice sheet left a coast of exposed rock and islands, subsequently reshaped by waves, weathering and changing sea levels. These geological conditions help explain the area’s sheltered inlets, exposed skerries and rich marine habitats, and they remain central to the visual character of Kosterhavet National Park.

Farming and Fishing on Koster

Human settlement on the Koster Islands developed around the resources of land and sea. Islanders combined small-scale farming with fishing, seafaring and the gathering of marine produce, adapting cultivation and grazing to the thin soils and rocky terrain. Fishing was particularly important to household economies and helped shape the islands’ settlements, boat landings and seasonal routines. The open coastal landscape visible today is therefore partly cultural: pasture, fields, stone boundaries and paths reflect long interaction between residents and the island environment. Although modern livelihoods have changed, fishing and maritime traditions continue to influence the identity of Sydkoster and Nordkoster.

A Maritime Borderland

Kosterhavet lies within the maritime world of Bohuslän, a coast historically connected by boats to neighbouring islands, mainland ports and Norway. The Skagerrak was both a source of food and a working route, but it also brought exposure to storms, shifting political borders and the demands of maritime trade. Coastal communities relied on practical knowledge of channels, tides, weather and seasonal fishing grounds. Lighthouse sites and navigational features around the islands reflect the continuing importance of safe passage. The sea’s breadth also meant that Koster was never isolated from wider economic and cultural changes along the Scandinavian coast.

From Working Coast to Protected Sea

During the twentieth century, changes in fishing, transport, agriculture and coastal tourism altered the relationship between residents and the Koster landscape. At the same time, scientific study drew increasing attention to the exceptional marine environments of the Koster Sea, including its deep-water habitats and unusual concentration of species. Conservation planning sought to protect ecological values while recognising the continuing importance of local communities and maritime activity. This approach helped establish a framework in which nature protection, sustainable use, research and public understanding could be considered together rather than treating the sea as separate from the people who depend on it.

The National Park Era

Kosterhavet National Park was established in 2009, becoming Sweden’s first national park dedicated primarily to the marine environment. Its creation provided formal protection for a large and biologically important section of the Skagerrak around the Koster Islands, while also giving visitors better opportunities to understand the sea through interpretation, research and responsible recreation. Naturum Kosterhavet at Ekenäs supports that educational role by explaining marine habitats, species and conservation challenges. The park’s modern history is consequently defined by cooperation between environmental management, research institutions, fishing interests, island residents and visitors.

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Imagine standing on the pristine shores of Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden's first marine national park, with the power to uncover every secret this natural paradise holds right at your fingertips. Evendo is your 100% free, app-based travel guide to Kosterhavet National Park, designed to help you make the most of your adventure. From the fascinating Koster Islands to the mesmerizing underwater landscapes, our app covers it all.

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