Kosterhavet National Park
Sweden's first marine national park - clear cold waters and coral reefs around the car-free Koster islands on the border with Norway.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Kosterhavet is Sweden's first marine national park, protecting the unusually clear, cold and biodiverse waters of the Kosterfjord on the border with Norway, home to cold-water coral reefs and hundreds of marine species found nowhere else in the country. Above the water lie the car-free Koster islands, a summer world of cycling and bathing.
What you actually see
- The marine reserve - the clear cold waters, coral reefs and rich sea life.
- The Koster islands - the car-free islands of Nordkoster and Sydkoster.
- Cycling and bathing - the island lanes, coves and rocky swimming spots.
- Seafood - the local prawns, lobster and oysters of the west coast.
When to go
Summer, when the ferries run full, the islands are alive and the water is warmest for swimming; it is a warm-season destination. Autumn brings the seafood season and quiet.
Honest expectations
The marine wonders are mostly underwater, so unless you dive or snorkel, the appeal above water is the pretty car-free islands and their seafood. Access is by ferry only, so it needs planning. It is far up the west coast near Norway, a real journey.
Nearby
Stromstad is the mainland gateway; the Norwegian border and the Bohuslan coast are alongside.
What to pack for Kosterhavet National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
