GUIDE

The Archipelago Guide – Experience Skellefteå’s Coastal Life

The Skellefteå archipelago isn’t as densely populated or developed as the archipelagos around Stockholm or Bohuslän. Fewer boats, less prestige, and easier to find a spot at the dock. Here’s your guide to a summer in the Skellefteå archipelago. Beach landings and docks for those with their own boats, tour boats for those without, and guest harbors where you can experience archipelago life without even leaving land. Skellefteå’s coast has more to offer than many people realize.

For those with their own boat

There’s something special about heading out to sea on your own. Reading the wind, following the evening sun, and deciding whether to dock at popular guest piers or find your own cove. In the Skellefteå archipelago, there’s room for both.

Hamnskär
The small island of Hamnskär offers several worlds in one. To the east, there are stunning cave formations and swimming spots from sun-warmed rock slabs. To the west, there’s a fire pit and a sauna. The old pilot’s cottage in the middle of the island is a reminder of the coast’s bygone working life. Here you can jump off the cliffs, warm up in the sauna, or sunbathe on the rocky outcrops while gazing toward Finland.

Skötgrönnan
Skötgrönnan attracts those seeking solitude. On a mirror-smooth day, tranquility descends upon this exposed sandy island, and very few people find their way here. It’s a place that can be difficult to reach and quite inhospitable when the weather isn’t right. That’s precisely why it becomes magical when the conditions are right.

Bastuholmen – Lillhällan

Swimmer-friendly cliffs and its proximity to the mainland make Bastuholmen accessible even to smaller boats. Here, generations come together over picnic baskets, evening swims, and saunas, and it’s perfectly fine to just sail right up to the dock.

Klovaskär

Between Kåge and Byske lies the forested island of “Klova.” On the western shore is a cove that offers shelter from easterly winds. Larger boats can moor bow-to against the cliffs, while smaller boats are pulled up onto the gravel beach. A peaceful stopover sheltered by nature.

Bergskär

At the entrance to Kågefjärden lies Bergskär with its small lighthouse from 1893. Rocky outcrops, sparse forest, and military ruins make the island a destination for both swimming and exploration, and it has become a popular spot for camping.

Islands to Visit by Tour Boat

You don’t need your own boat to experience Skellefteå’s island life. During the summer, tour boats depart from several harbors along the coast—from Kurjoviken, Furuögrund, and Kinnbäck—and suddenly, the journey from the dock to the outer archipelago is just a ticket away.

Hamnskär

Hamnskär, described in the section above, can also be reached by speedboat from Furuögrund. A sauna, swimming, and the opportunity to stay in the old pilot’s cottage make the island a true “hideaway.”

Halsön

A classic, protected archipelago island accessible by tour boat from Furuögrund, featuring a guest dock, sauna, and clubhouse. One of the few islands where the dock can actually get quite crowded on a beautiful day. In that case, the tour boat is the perfect solution.

Gåsören

A tour boat departs from Kurjoviken for the old pilot station at Gåsören. A very accessible island with walkways and wide ramps between buildings, barbecue areas, and a dock. The place is steeped in history and is home to the annual Ö-rocken festival.

Pite-Rönnskär

The name can be misleading. Pite-Rönnskär is located in the northernmost part of the Skellefteå archipelago and is one of the most spectacular islands. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, a 37-meter-high Heidenstam lighthouse, and a hospitable summer population spread across some 30 fishing cottages, as well as the opportunity to stay in the old lighthouse keeper’s residence.

Guest harbors, seaside restaurants, and harbor cafés

You can fully experience the archipelago atmosphere even without a boat. Along the coast, summer life thrives in our marinas and guest harbors. The aroma of pizza and pastries mingles with the sea breeze and the sound of seagulls and masts creaking in the wind.

Kurjoviken & Kurjovikens Sjökrog

A social gathering place focused on food and drink, and the home port for two of the tour boats. The seaside restaurant offers well-prepared food and local drinks with a beautiful view of the bay. Local beer is brewed and local gin is distilled here, and in the evenings, locals and visitors mingle in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Kågehamn & Kåge Hamncafé

Coffee, ice cream, pizza, and marina life. Kåge Harbor is Skellefteå’s largest marina, with pier after pier lined with everything from large sailboats to small motorboats. Kåge Hamncafé is a destination in its own right. Residents of Kåge and Ersmark cycle here for a pizza, to stroll among the boats, and to chat with the marina sailors.

Furuögrund Guest Harbor & Harbor Café

A vibrant harbor with a rich history and a legacy from the sawmill era. In the old harbor building, Furuögrund’s Harbor Café serves the classic shrimp sandwich, homemade pastries, ice cream, and light lunches, and one evening a week, live music fills the outdoor seating area.

Bjuröklubb

Bjuröklubb is one of the most well-known spots along the Skellefteå coast. The narrow peninsula stretches far out into the Gulf of Bothnia, and at its tip stands the yellow lighthouse that has guided sailors and fishermen for generations. You can book a night in the lighthouse or enjoy lunch or coffee at the summer café run by Lövångergården.

Text: Visit Skellefteå

Photo: Visit Skellefteå / Skellefteå Municipality