Seal Safari in Bohuslän – Meet the Charming Seals of the Archipelago and Discover Ursholmen Lighthouse
Archipelago Tour to Ursholmen - Sweden West Coast most Western Lighthouse
Experience a unique seal safari in Kosterhavet National Park with Selin Charter aboard M/S Kosterskär. Departing from Strömstad, Resö and Kyrkvikens Camping just north of Grebbestad and Fjällbacka, this scenic boat tour takes you through Sweden’s only marine national park – a spectacular archipelago just a short distance from the Norwegian border and a perfect nature experience for international visitors exploring the Swedish west coast. During the tour, you’ll have the chance to see harbour seals, seabirds and dramatic coastal landscapes in one of Bohuslän’s most beautiful marine environments. The journey continues past South Koster and North Koster towards Ursholmen, Sweden’s westernmost lighthouse site, where nature, wildlife and cultural heritage come together in an unforgettable archipelago experience.
Click to read more if you are curious about a seal safari in Kosterhavet and Ursholmen…
Click to read more if you are curious about a seal safari in Kosterhavet and Ursholmen…
As the boat glides between South Koster, North Koster of the Koster Islands, and onward to Ursholmen, you’ll be greeted by expansive horizons, fresh sea air and abundant birdlife. Curious harbour seals often swim around the boat or lie sunbathing on the rocks – an experience that fascinates both children and adults.
At Ursholmen, Sweden’s westernmost lighthouse site, we make a stop of approximately 1.5 hours. Here, you can go ashore and visit the small museum opened by the crew, where you can learn more about the island’s history, geology and flora. The spectacular panoramic views over the outer Koster archipelago make this stop a true highlight – perfect for a relaxing break in one of Sweden’s most scenic coastal environments.
Feel free to bring your own picnic or pre-order something tasty onboard, such as our classic shrimp sandwich with hand-peeled shrimp, a ham and cheese sandwich, or a bun with coffee. We also have full license rights for beer and wine, making the cruise a pleasure for both nature lovers and food enthusiasts. Don’t forget your binoculars for spotting birds and seals – or swimwear if you wish to cool off in the sea.
A tour with M/S Kosterskär is not only a chance to get close to Bohuslän’s seals, but also a way to experience the living natural and cultural heritage of the Swedish west coast. Here, sea, birds and seals come together in an experience that creates lifelong memories.
Book your seal safari with Selin Charter and enjoy an unforgettable boat tour in Kosterhavet National Park.
Travel information, prices and departures
from Strömstad, Resö and the Koster Islands
from Strömstad, Resö and the Koster Islands
Seal safari from
Strömstad, Norra Hamnen
Strömstad, Norra Hamnen
- Experience: Sälsafari i Kosterhavet
- Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
- From: Strömstad, Norra Hamnen
- Departure: 10:00 AM
- Travel time: ca 5 hours 30 minutes
- Boat: M/S Kosterskär
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Adult 495 SEK
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Child 4-12 years 200 SEK
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Family price 1300 SEK
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Shrimp sandwich 225 SEK
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Ham & cheese sandwich 85 SEK
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Cinnamon bun and coffee 80 SEK
Book Seal Safari from Strömstad
Seal safari from
Resö Harbour and Camping
Resö Harbour and Camping
- Experience: Kosteröarna eller Sälsafari i Kosterhavet
- Days: Friday
- Departure: Resö Hamn, 09:45 AM
- Departure: Resö Camping, kl 10:00 AM
- Time: appr. 5 hours 30 minutes
- Boat: M/S Kosterskär
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Adult, From Resö 395 SEK
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Child 4-12 years 150 SEK
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Family price 1300 SEK
-
Shrimp sandwich 225 SEK
-
Ham & cheese sandwich 85 SEK
-
Cinnamon bun and coffee 80 SEK
Book Seal Safari from
Resö hamn och Camping
Resö hamn och Camping
Resö Harbor
Resö Camping
Discover the Koster Islands
by boat from Resö
by boat from Resö
- Experience: Kosteröarna eller Sälsafari i Kosterhavet
- Days: Fridays
- Departure: Resö Hamn, kl 09:45
- Departure: Resö Camping, kl 10:00
- Travel: ca 4 - 5 timmar
- Boat: M/S Kosterskär
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Adult, From Resö 395 SEK
-
Child 4-12 years 150 SEK
-
Family price 1300 SEK
-
Shrimp sandwich 225 SEK
-
Ham & cheese sandwich 85 SEK
-
Cinnamon bun and coffee 80 SEK
Book boat tour to
Koster Islands from Resö
Koster Islands from Resö
Resö Harbor
Resö Camping
About the booking
Ticket must be booked in advance.
Pre-order food for larger groups.
Family price includes 2 adults and 2 children.
Children under 4 travel for free.
Toilet available on board.
Beer and wine are sold on board with a full licence.
Snacks and drinks are sold on board.
Subject to weather conditions.
Phone: +46 (0)70-605 81 76
Email: info@selincharter.com
Schedule for Koster, Seal Safari and Ursholmen 2026
Timetable: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Period: 28 June - 9 August
- Experience: Seal safari in Koster sea From Strömstad
- From Resö Hamn: 09:45 AM - Return 16:30 PM
- From Strömstad: 10:00 AM - Return. 15:40 PM
- Time on Ursholmen: 1 hours 30 minutes
Week 28
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From Strömstad
10:00 AM – Norra hamnen
10:45 AM – Ekenäs
11:05 AM – Västra Bryggan
11:10 AM – Långagärde
Return
Week 29
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From Strömstad
10:00 AM – Norra hamnen
10:45 AM – Ekenäs
11:05 AM – Västra Bryggan
11:10 AM – Långagärde
Friday, 17 July
From Resö
09:45 AM – Resö Hamn
10:00 AM – Resö Camping
Return
Week 30
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From Strömstad
10:00 AM – Norra hamnen
10:45 AM – Ekenäs
11:05 AM – Västra Bryggan
11:10 AM – Långagärde
Return
Week 31
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From Strömstad
10:00 AM – Norra hamnen
10:45 AM – Ekenäs
11:05 AM – Västra Bryggan
11:10 AM – Långagärde
Friday, 31 July
From Resö
09:45 AM – Resö Hamn
10:00 AM – Resö Camping
Return
Week 32
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From Strömstad
10:00 AM – Norra hamnen
10:45 AM – Ekenäs
11:05 AM – Västra Bryggan
11:10 AM – Långagärde
Return
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.”
See all of our adventures
Exclusive Archipelago Tours In Strömstad & Kosterhavets National Park
Naturum at Koster Islands
Fishing
Alaska
Resö
Grebbestad
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