Around the Koster Islands by Kayak – friendly trip

Kayak trips

Sweden

Around the Koster Islands in a Kayak

Kayaking on the Koster Islands – Active days in Sweden's most beautiful archipelago

Kayaking, tent life, ‘seal safari’ and social community in the Swedish archipelago!

Join us for an unforgettable long weekend around the Koster Islands. The coastal landscape here is unique: hundreds of islands, islets and reefs, beautiful sandy beaches and impressive granite cliffs. In addition to the beautiful landscape, the area is known for its rich wildlife, including seals and a large number of seabird species. 

4 active days of paddling, social community and tent life give you the feeling of being close to nature. One dinner is enjoyed at a local café/restaurant, the rest of the meals you prepare yourself – under the open sky.

The Koster Islands
Koster is a Swedish archipelago located ten kilometers west of Strömstad. The islands consist of Nordkoster (4 km²) with around 60 permanent residents and Sydkoster (8 km²) with approximately 240 permanent residents. Around these main islands you will find a myriad of small, uninhabited islets and reefs. This is Sweden's westernmost archipelago with permanent settlement.

This is what awaits you

  • Paddling in the fantastic Kosterhavet National Park

  • Overnight stay in tents at carefully selected locations on the outer edge of the archipelago

  • Scouting for seals and exploring the archipelago

  • Social community and one dinner at a local cafe or restaurant

What makes the trip special?

This trip is tailored for those who love active holidays and seek a different experience. In addition to paddling, you will experience Sweden's only marine national park, which is home to as many as 12,000 species – both in the sea and on land.
We paddle outside the nesting season to ensure access to the entire area, and can almost guarantee seal sightings on this trip.

Practical information

  • Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

  • Distance: Up to 45 km in total

  • Accommodation: In your own tent at idyllic spots in the archipelago

  • Meals: One dinner included, the rest to be brought along

Who is this trip suitable for?

This trip is for those who have experience with sea kayaking in moderate conditions (waves up to one meter and some wind) and who can perform a companion rescue. You do not need to be an outdoor expert – we will help you with tips and advice along the way.

Equipment and preparation

Sea kayak, tent, and other necessary equipment must be brought along. We arrange a planning meeting before the trip to go through details, get to know each other, and ensure that everyone is well prepared.
Don't have kayaking equipment? No problem. We offer kayak package rental for NOK 1,000 (kayak, paddle, life jacket, and spray deck). This can be ordered when signing up.

Will the weather be a challenge?

Safety is always our focus. If conditions make crossing the Koster Fjord unsafe, the trip will be moved to sheltered areas along the mainland.

This is what awaits you

  • Paddling in the fantastic Kosterhavet National Park

  • Overnight stay in tents at carefully selected locations on the outer edge of the archipelago

  • Scouting for seals and exploring the archipelago

  • Social community and one dinner at a local cafe or restaurant

What makes the trip special?

This trip is tailored for those who love active holidays and seek a different experience. In addition to paddling, you will experience Sweden's only marine national park, which is home to as many as 12,000 species – both in the sea and on land.
We paddle outside the nesting season to ensure access to the entire area, and can almost guarantee seal sightings on this trip.

Practical information

  • Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

  • Distance: Up to 45 km in total

  • Accommodation: In your own tent at idyllic spots in the archipelago

  • Meals: One dinner included, the rest to be brought along

Who is this trip suitable for?

This trip is for those who have experience with sea kayaking in moderate conditions (waves up to one meter and some wind) and who can perform a companion rescue. You do not need to be an outdoor expert – we will help you with tips and advice along the way.

Equipment and preparation

Sea kayak, tent, and other necessary equipment must be brought along. We arrange a planning meeting before the trip to go through details, get to know each other, and ensure that everyone is well prepared.
Don't have kayaking equipment? No problem. We offer kayak package rental for NOK 1,000 (kayak, paddle, life jacket, and spray deck). This can be ordered when signing up.

Will the weather be a challenge?

Safety is always our focus. If conditions make crossing the Koster Fjord unsafe, the trip will be moved to sheltered areas along the mainland.

Highlights

  • Paddling between islets and reefs in Kosterhavet National Park

  • A wonderful start to summer

  • Spending the night in a tent - under the starry sky

  • Close contact with seals and birds

  • The atmosphere around the dinner table after an eventful day

Available dates & Contact info

April - October

from
NOK 3,400

Would you like more information about the trip?

Program

The daily program is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel reserves the right to make changes in the event of any typographical errors/currency fluctuations. 
Weather warning: we may change the order of the excursions if the weather requires it. 

The daily program is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel reserves the right to make changes in the event of any typographical errors/currency fluctuations. 
Weather warning: we may change the order of the excursions if the weather requires it. 

Day 1Arrival Day

Vakkert på Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

You will meet the tour leader at the agreed location on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.
Kayaking across the Koster Fjord to Syd-Koster.

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 2Kayaking in the beautiful Swedish archipelago

Gøy med kajakk i den svenske skjærgården | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.
The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.
Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 3Kayaking along the Koster Islands

Padling langs Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 4The final day in the beautiful archipelago

Gøy dag i kajakk | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

The trip ends where it began – on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.

The itinerary is preliminary; changes may occur.

Day 1Arrival Day

Vakkert på Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

You will meet the tour leader at the agreed location on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.
Kayaking across the Koster Fjord to Syd-Koster.

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 2Kayaking in the beautiful Swedish archipelago

Gøy med kajakk i den svenske skjærgården | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.
The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.
Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 3Kayaking along the Koster Islands

Padling langs Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 4The final day in the beautiful archipelago

Gøy dag i kajakk | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

The trip ends where it began – on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.

The itinerary is preliminary; changes may occur.

Day 1Arrival Day

Vakkert på Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

You will meet the tour leader at the agreed location on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.
Kayaking across the Koster Fjord to Syd-Koster.

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 2Kayaking in the beautiful Swedish archipelago

Gøy med kajakk i den svenske skjærgården | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.
The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.
Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 3Kayaking along the Koster Islands

Padling langs Kosterøyene | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

Eventually, you will find a suitable place to camp together on one of the many islands.

AccommodationCamp on one of the islands

Day 4The final day in the beautiful archipelago

Gøy dag i kajakk | Expa Travel

After a good breakfast, the group gets ready for another day in the kayaks.

The exact route will be determined by the tour leader, as weather and waves will influence the choice of route.

Remember to scan the water for seals!

The trip ends where it began – on the mainland. Bofors Camping near Strømstad.

The itinerary is preliminary; changes may occur.

Map

Included & practical info

Included & practical info

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Local guide - on trips with Expa Travel

Local guide - Scandinavian speaking

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Our local guides know the trails, shortcuts, and favorite spots – and will take you to places you would hardly find on your own. English-speaking, passionate, and ready to show you the real destination.

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Packing list

Packing list

This is only a recommendation – feel free to borrow gear from friends or use what you already have. Look at the list as a starting point, and adapt it to your needs and what you feel you will need on the trip.

This is only a recommendation – feel free to borrow gear from friends or use what you already have. Look at the list as a starting point, and adapt it to your needs and what you feel you will need on the trip.

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