Tjärnö – Marine Research, Archipelago and Coastal Landscape

Tjärnö is part of an archipelago south of Strömstad, connected by bridges and consisting of Öddö, Tjärnö and the more remote Saltö. From Tjärnö, there are views of the Koster Sea. The island is characterised by a typical coastal landscape with small, narrow cultivated areas in cracks in the rock.

Nature and Marine Research

Tjärnö marina laboratorium is located in northern Bohuslän, in Sweden’s most species-rich marine area, directly adjacent to Kosterhavet National Park. Tjärnö is home to the University of Gothenburg’s marine research station, a workplace and knowledge centre that shapes the island. School classes and the general public are welcome at Tjärnö marina laboratorium. During a guided visit to the station, visitors can hear explanations from a marine biologist about the sea and marine environmental issues, see parts of the research and teaching activities as well as the vessels, visit the aquarium and watch a film about Kosterhavet National Park.

Tjärnö Akvarium contains more than 200 different species of animals and algae from the marine world beneath the surface of the Koster Sea, as well as a Swedish coral reef. The aquarium also has a touch pool where visitors can get to know, among other things, dead man’s fingers, cushion stars and sea cucumbers up close. In summer, Tjärnö Akvarium is open to the public; on site, two marine biologists answer questions and give live presentations, for example about oysters, lobsters, crabs or jellyfish. At Tjärnölaboratoriet, children can learn more about life in the sea through stories, their own investigations and experiments. One morning takes place at the beach and the next at Tjärnölaboratoriet. In summer, Tjärnölaboratoriet also invites visitors to popular-science lectures about life in and around the sea.

The summer excursion on the research vessel Nereus makes it possible to discover life beneath the surface of the sea. During the marine-diversity excursion with Nereus, algae and animals are retrieved from the seabed and then examined at the station under a stereomicroscope. On the “Filmning i Kosterhavets djup” tour, a remotely operated underwater vehicle camera films life 100 metres below the boat; the footage is shown live on board and explained by a guide. The different formats make it easier to compare independent discovery with guided and explained insights.

Coast and Island Nature

In the nearby Saltö Nature Reserve, there is an approximately 200-metre-long underwater snorkelling trail at a depth of 1 to 1.5 metres, with eight information boards underwater. There are also easy-to-walk paths through the pine forest, as well as opportunities for swimming, fishing and hiking. Saltö is one of the entrances to Kosterhavet National Park. At the western end of the Tjärnö archipelago, Saltö has hilly woodland, meadows and pastures; the bedrock there consists predominantly of granite. The various routes, landscape areas and activities can be compared according to length, type of movement and connection to the water.

The bathing area at Bofors Camping on Tjärnö has a narrow strip of shore and a seabed consisting of sand and small stones. It has a car park, toilets, a kiosk in summer and bathing jetties. Svallhagen’s sandy beach is an excursion destination on Tjärnö.

Culture and Relaxation

The present-day masonry Tjärnö kyrka was built in 1855 according to plans by the architect Carl Gustaf Blom Carlsson. Written evidence of a stone church in Tjärnö has existed since the Middle Ages; the earliest records date from 1391. Summer concerts are held in Tjärnö kyrka.

Gullnäsgården on Tjärnö offers courses and retreats focused on active relaxation, conscious breathing, self-care, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, health-related topics and Qi Gong. Havtornscaféet on Tjärnö has its own cultivated areas.

Getting There and Further Destinations

Bus route 891 provides a connection from Strömstad to Tjärnö Akvarium.

Other destinations in the same higher-level area are Skee, Hällestrand, Flåghult, Stensvik, Öfverby, Båleröd, Lökholmen and Svinesund.

To the higher-level travel overview: Strömstad.