Kayaking around Tjälleskären
Kosterhavet

Experience the Kosterhavet Marine National Park with a kayak!

The kayaking company Koster Adventures has developed a suggested kayaking route around Tjälleskären in the Koster Sea. The trip starts at the beach Blåsopp i Kyrkosund, where launching the kayak is easy. You paddle around the first headland and then steer in a southwesterly direction, with a view of the Ursholm lighthouses in the distance.

Coffee break and swimming at Store Bror

With a view of the lighthouses, you cross a short section of open water. Otherwise, the tour goes almost exclusively on water that is sheltered by islands and skerries. When you have made the passage over the open water and reached the skerries, it is time to turn south towards Lilla and Stora Tjälleskär.

Continue southwest along the north side of Stora Tjälleskär. There are several oyster banks here in the area. A coffee stop on the island of Store Bror is a good option, and if you feel like it, there is a lovely sandy beach where it is excellent to take a dip in the salt water.

Many narrow passages to explore

On the way home, you take the route through the strait between Lille Bror (Little Brother) and Store Bror (Big Brother) and then go more or less the same way back, but there are plenty of new channels and narrow passages to explore. As you approach Kyrkosund, you can check out the guest harbour and the red and white boathouses located along the seafront.

Back on South Koster there is plenty more to discover on the island and a must-see is Naturum Kosterhavet.

Rent a kayak

P.S. If all the kayaks at Koster Adventures are booked it is also possible to rent kayaks from Koster Kayak Tours and Skärgårdsidyllen.

Tips on food and accommodation on Koster

• Kläpphagen

Route information

Length: 
7 km (3.8 nautical miles) depending on route options.

Approximate time:
Half day

Conditions: 
Mostly sheltered with some short crossings over open water, marine environment.

Take note:
Remember to take drinking water and life vest along with mobile phone and extra clothes in a waterproof bag or container.

Check the current weather forecast with your rental company before setting off.

Safety: 
If you have previous kayaking experience and know rescue procedures, we recommend that you rent a kayak and explore the beautiful archipelago on your own. If you have no previous experience we strongly recommend that you start with a beginner’s course before heading out.

Difficulty: 
The degree of difficulty is largely dependent on the wind. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• 1-3 m/s: Light breeze
• 4-6 m/s: Gentle breeze
• 7-9 m/s: Fresh breeze
• 10-12 m/s: Strong breeze
• 13- m/s: High wind (not recommended)

Suitable for:
Beginners and experienced kayakers.

Start and finish: 
Kyrkosundsvägen 31, Sydkoster.

Location
Take the Koster ferry from Strömstad Norra Hamnen (North Harbour) and disembark at Kilesand. The meeting point is a 10 minute walk from here. Information about where to park in Strömstad can be found here.

If you arrive with your own boat the guest harbour in Kyrkosund is the closest.

For a map of where to find Koster Adventures on South Koster click here

Map:
You can see a map of the full kayak route on Google Maps.