The Big Five from the Big Blue

West Sweden’s select seafood is some of the very finest in the world and can be enjoyed through a special Big Five break. This new autumn holiday enables visitors to experience the fishing for and preparation of these delicacies, not to mention the tasting of them too, at five different, beautiful coastal locations including time in the city of Gothenburg.

Start off the Big Five trail in search of crayfish among the Koster Islands. Make tracks for Strömstad, near the border with Norway, and take the ferry to the Kosters. Car-free, the islands are part of Sweden’s first marine national park, a unique environment with the country’s highest marine biodiversity, which opened in September 2009.  Join the youngest fisherman on the island, Niclas, to catch the crayfish and stay overnight at the charming, family-run Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs on South Koster. If you need to work off some of the delicious food, there are all sorts of activities on offer including cycling, diving, sea kayaking and walking.

Travelling southwards down the west coast towards Gothenburg, the next stop is Grebbestad and an oyster safari experience. About 95% of Swedish oysters come from the waters here. Take the beautiful wooden boat Tuffa to travel around the amazing archipelago and eat oysters straight from the sea along with the local seaweed crisp bread – a true taste of this part of the world.

Now in search of lobster, join a local fisherman on a lobster safari with the chance to help catch the 'black gold' of the sea, followed by a cold glass of beer in a hot tub at Sea Lodge, in the well known fishing village of Smögen. West Sweden's lobster season runs from the end of September to the end of April.

Seafood number three is the prawn and to fully appreciate it head for the seaside town of Lysekil and go fishing in Gullmar Fjord. To be able to join a prawn fisherman is a unique experience only offered on the west coast in Sweden. Catch the prawns and boil them straight from the sea - they will surely be the freshest prawns you've ever eaten - and then stay the night at the stylish new four-star Vann Spa Hotel, located by the fjord. Why not try a classic Swedish massage while at the hotel to relax still further?

Next, it's time to conquer the mussel. Take a local ferry from Hällevikstrand on the island of Orust to the car-free island of Käringön. Here you will find a typical fishing village dating back to the 16th century which today forms part of a vibrant summertime island scene. Pick your own mussels and boil them by the jetty overlooking the sea and stay the night at the Hotel Käringön. If you're in need of some more shellfish during your stay on Käringön visit Karingo, the unique Oyster Bar. Enjoy fresh oysters and champagne, with fantastic views from the outer limits of the island, while sitting in a tub full of seawater heated by a wood fire.

After eating some of the world's best seafood and having explored the islands along the west coast, you'll come to rest in Gothenburg. If you've still not had enough of the seafood, visit the famous Feskekôrka (fish church) and stay at the city's Gothia Towers hotel, which offers Sweden's largest shrimp sandwiches, or have a grand finale dinner at one of Gothenburg's five Michelin starred restaurants.

Most of the sea food safaris are bookable online. If you would like to book the whole Big Five package, contact tour operator Simply Sweden.