Travel Guide Koster Islands

The Koster Islands are a small archipelago that is easily accessible from Strömstad. They are located near the Norwegian border, one kilometer offshore. The Koster archipelago consists of two inhabited islands, Nordkoster (North Koster Island) and Sydkoster (South Koster Island), and uninhabited islands, Ursholmen and Ramsö, as well as small islets. The entire archipelago is a nature reserve. The only two tourist islands of the archipelago are Nordkoster and Sydkoster, because they are the only islands inhabited and equipped to receive tourists. On land and in the sea, these islands alone concentrate more than 6,000 marine species, some of which are found nowhere else. The Koster Islands actually belong to the Kosterhavet National Park, which with its area of 388.78 km² is the largest marine national park in Sweden. The Koster Islands are characterized by a rocky terrain, a very indented coastline and numerous sandy beaches. The vegetation is thriving, with pine and oak forests, and the land is fertile. In summer, it is the sunniest place in Scandinavia and the sea is pleasantly temperate. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the Koster Islands have been fishing for shrimp and lobster. As early as the 15th century, these products were exported to Holland and England. Today, the sedentary population reaches 400 inhabitants, mainly on Sydkoster.