Seal Safari in Bohuslän – Meet the Charming Seals of the Archipelago and Discover Ursholmen Lighthouse
Archipelago Tour to Sweden’s most Western Lighthouse, Ursholmen
Experience an unforgettable seal safari in Bohuslän with Selin Charter aboard M/S Kosterskär. The tour departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Strömstad, and on Fridays from Resö, taking you through Kosterhavets National Park – Sweden’s only marine national park. Here, you’ll have a unique opportunity to see harbour seals and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat, surrounded by Bohuslän’s dramatic archipelago.
As the boat glides past South Koster and North Koster and onward to Ursholmen, you’ll be greeted by expansive horizons and abundant birdlife. Curious seals often swim around the boat or sunbathe on the rocks – an experience that delights both children and adults. At Ursholmen, Sweden’s westernmost lighthouse, we make a stop of approximately 1.5 hours. Here, you can disembark and visit the small museum opened by the crew, where you can learn about the island’s history, geology, and flora. The spectacular panoramic views over the outer Koster archipelago make this stop a highlight – perfect for a break.
Feel free to bring your own picnic or pre-order and treat yourself to something tasty onboard: choose from our classic shrimp sandwich with hand-peeled shrimp, a ham & cheese sandwich, or a bun and coffee. We also have full license rights for beer and wine, making the cruise a delight for your taste buds. Don’t forget your binoculars to spot birds and seals – or swimwear if you wish to cool off in the sea.
A tour with M/S Kosterskär is not just a chance to get close to Bohuslän’s seals, but also a way to experience the coast’s living natural and cultural heritage. Here, sea, birds, and seals come together in an experience that creates lifelong memories.
Ticket booking
Online booking through the form.
Travelinformation:
Seal safari from Strömstad
Find Here
- From: Strömstad, Norra Hamnen
- From: Resö Hamn
- From: Kyrkvikens Camping
- Tour: Seal safari in Koster sea
- Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Boat: M/S Kosterskär
Prices
From Strömstad (Tues, Thurs, Sat)
From Resö and Koster (Fri)
Other info
– Advance booking required for both tickets and food.
– Family price covers 2 adults + 2 children.
– Children under 4 years travel for free.
– Pre-order food for larger groups or events.
– Beer and wine are sold onboard with full licensing rights.
– Light drinks and snacks available onboard.
– Toilet facilities onboard.
– We welcome bus groups from May to October.
– Boats available for charter according to your schedule and needs.
– Weather conditions may cause changes or cancellations.
Strömstad
10:00 AM (Tues, Thurs, Sat)
Resö
09:45 AM - fridays
Summer Schedule 2025
Timetable: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Period: 28 June - 9 August
- Boat: M/S Kosterskär
- Experience: Seal safari in Koster sea From Strömstad
- From Resö Hamn: 09:45 AM - Return 16:00 PM
- From Strömstad: 10:00 AM - Return. 15:30 PM
- From Ekenäs, Koster: 10:45 AM - Return 15:00 PM
- Time on Ursholmen: 1 hours 30 minutes
v 26:
Strömstad: 28/6
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Koster: 28/6
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 27:
Strömstad: 1, 3, 5/7
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Koster: 1, 3, 5/7
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 28:
Strömstad: 8, 10, 12/7
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Resö: 11/7
- 09:45 AM - Resö hamn
- 10:00 AM - Resö Camping
Koster: 8, 10, 11, 12/7
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 29:
Strömstad: 15, 17, 19/7
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Resö: 18/7
- 09:45 AM - Resö hamn
- 10:00 AM - Resö Camping
Koster: 15, 17, 18, 19/7
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 30:
Strömstad: 22, 24, 26/7
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Resö: 25/7
- 09:45 AM - Resö hamn
- 10:00 AM - Resö Camping
Koster: 22, 24, 25, 26/7
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 31:
Strömstad: 29, 31/7, 2/8
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Resö: 1/8
- 09:45 AM - Resö hamn
- 10:00 AM - Resö Camping
Koster: 29, 31/7, 1, 2/8
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
v 32:
Strömstad: 5, 7, 9, 16/8
- 10:00 AM - Norra hamnen
Koster: 5, 7, 9, 16/8
- 10:45 AM - Ekenäs
- 16/8, 11:00 AM - Ekenäs
- 11:05 AM - Västra Bryggan
- 11:10 AM - Långagärde
Discover Ursholmen with Selin Charter – History, Nature, and Unforgettable Experiences in Bohuslän Archipelago
When you join Selin Charter on a seal safari or archipelago tour aboard M/S Kosterskär, you’ll encounter not just harbor seals and coastal wildlife, but also have the opportunity to visit Ursholmen, Sweden’s westernmost island. Here stands one of Bohuslän’s most iconic lighthouses—built over 130 years ago—a living relic of life at the edge of the sea.
During the boat tour, we land on Ursholmen so you can experience the island up close. Wander among the old lighthouse buildings, visit the museum, and learn more about the families who kept the light burning. At the same time, the island offers a world-class natural experience: panoramic views of Kosterhavet National Park, blooming heaths, and rich birdlife thriving in this unique marine landscape.
Ursholmen is therefore not just a place to visit—it’s an experience combining history, culture, and nature. In the two following articles, you can explore the island’s fascinating past and discover why Ursholmen remains one of Bohuslän’s most cherished destinations.
Ursholmen Lighthouse – The People, Life, and Everyday Living on Sweden’s Westernmost Island
Ursholmen is not only Sweden’s westernmost island but also home to one of the country’s most famous lighthouses. The first lighthouses were built here in 1891 to guide seafarers through the treacherous waters around the Koster islands. The sea outside is rich in reefs and rocks, and in an age of sailing ships and increasing traffic, Bohuslän’s coast was considered one of the most dangerous. From Ursholmen’s lighthouse, safe passage was ensured.
The Lighthouse Keepers’ Life on Ursholmen
When the lighthouses were in operation, lighthouse families lived permanently on the island. Life here was isolated but close to nature, with everyday routines marked by hard work and constant preparedness. In addition to maintaining the lighthouse, the families supported themselves through fishing, small-scale farming, and animal husbandry. Firewood, food, and other necessities had to be transported by boat from the mainland, and bad weather could mean weeks of waiting before new supplies arrived.
Despite the hardships, there was a strong sense of community among the families. Children grew up on the island, went to school on Koster, and returned across the sea. The lighthouse station consisted of housing, outbuildings, and small plots for cultivation, giving the families the chance to sustain themselves.
From Manned Lighthouse to Cultural Heritage
Ursholmen’s lighthouse was manned until the 1960s, when technology allowed automation. When the families moved away, the houses remained as a memory of life at the outer edge of the sea. Today, the site is managed as part of the cultural environment within Kosterhavet National Park, and it tells a vivid story of Sweden’s coastal history.
Visiting Ursholmen is therefore also like stepping back in time. The bare cliffs and old lighthouse buildings stand as monuments to an era when the light from the lighthouse meant the difference between safe passage and shipwreck.
Ursholmen Today – Part of Kosterhavet National Park and a Unique Destination
Ursholmen is today part of Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden’s first marine national park, established in 2009. Here you are met by a dramatic coastal landscape with expansive horizons, rocky beaches, and rich wildlife. For many visitors, it is the highlight of a seal safari or archipelago boat trip in Bohuslän.
A Visit to Ursholmen
On Ursholmen there are two lighthouses – one older and one newer – as well as preserved residential houses and outbuildings from the time of the lighthouse keepers. A small museum tells more about the island’s history, the lives of the lighthouse families, and the unique geology that characterizes the site. Standing by the lighthouse and looking out over the sea is a reminder of the crucial role the site played for sailors.
The island also offers world-class nature experiences. Here you will encounter Bohuslän’s rugged cliffs, flowering heathland, and views stretching all the way to the Norwegian border. It is a perfect place for enjoying a packed lunch, bringing binoculars to spot seabirds and seals, or taking a refreshing swim in the sea.
Nature and Wildlife
Ursholmen lies at the heart of one of Sweden’s most species-rich marine areas. There is a rich birdlife, with species such as eiders, terns, and cormorants, as well as marine mammals like harbor seals, often seen basking on nearby rocks. The area is strictly protected and managed to preserve its biological diversity.
Ursholmen as an Experience
Visiting Ursholmen today means combining nature, culture, and history. For those who join a boat trip or seal safari, the stop on the island is often one of the highlights – an opportunity to learn more about Bohuslän’s heritage and experience the wild beauty of the coastal landscape.
Strömstad's Culture Award 2020 and Tourism Award 2022 were Awarded to Helena Lantz, Owner of Alaska
2020 Motivation:
“This year’s culture award is presented to Helena Lantz, who operates the popular visitor destination ‘Hilmas Alaska’ on Nord-Långö. Through her dedication and tremendous commitment to preserving a unique cultural heritage and ensuring that history continues to flourish, the invaluable work she does to make the garden bloom in its noblest splendor ensures that the memory and story of Hilma Svedahl live on.”
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