Guide to the Islands of Halland

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From Särö Västerskog's Snäckestrand, the stones line up out into the sea and form a pathway to the small island of Drottningskär. Here you’ll find smooth, inviting rocks perfect for resting on. With a bucket, clothes peg and string, it’s also a great place to try your hand at crab fishing — a beloved activity for children along the west coast.

• How to get there: Step out onto the stones leading from the beach to the island
• Activity nearby: Hike the Särö Västerskog coastal path and enjoy views over Kungsbacka’s rich archipelago
• Nearby stay: Säröhus
• Nearby dining: Blomstermåla

From Gottskär Harbor, boats head out to the distinctive island of Nidingen, where historic lighthouses rise from the rocks in the Kattegat. Here you’ll meet open horizons and unique wildlife — including opportunities to spot seals and lesser black-backed gulls, a species that nests only here in Sweden.

• How to get there: Pre-book a boat trip to Nidingen — either for a day trip or with an overnight stay
• Activity nearby: On a trip to Nidingen, enjoy boat tours, lighthouses, seal watching, swimming and paddling
• Nearby stay: The lighthouse keeper’s cottages on Nidingen
• Nearby dining: Summer-open Skafferiet in Gottskär or ALGOT in Kungsbacka.

Kungsbacka has the most islands in Halland. If you’re curious about more of them, you can explore Kungsbacka’s own island guide here.

From the Varberg promenade and Varberg Fortress, you can see the narrow island of Skrivareklippan — where small red houses dot the rugged rock in the harbor entrance. With SUP or kayak from Getterön, you can be over in no time. Here you’ll find salty surf, wide horizons, nature’s stillness and hints of old coastal history.

• How to get there: SUP, kayak or own boat
• Activity nearby: Varberg Cold Bath House with views over Skrivareklippan
• Nearby stay: Varberg Stadshotell — a boutique spa and rooftop bar with views
• Nearby dining: Hattaviken on Getterön, or Fästningsterassen for best views of the island.

From the shore at Yasjön, the water reaches out to a small island located only about 150 meters from land. Here you reach the island with the charming hand-drawn cable raft, where the ride becomes part of the experience. On the island you’ll find a simple campsite with a shelter and fireplace — perfect for a calm moment in nature in the middle of Åkulla’s beech forest surroundings.

• How to get there: Pull yourself out on the hand-drawn ferry from Åkulla Outdoor Resort
• Activity nearby: Hike in the Åkulla beech forest, bathe from the sauna raft or paddle a canoe
• Nearby stay: Åkulla Outdoor Resort or Ästad Wineyard
• Nearby dining: Restaurant ÄNG at Ästad Wineyard (Michelin-starred)

Marsten, just outside Falkenberg, is reached by SUP, kayak or own boat. With rugged rocks and a small summit cairn marking its highest point, it’s a classic west coast skerry. With Skrea Strand around the corner, you choose whether to swim from the island’s rocks or enjoy a beach day with restaurants, ice cream and cafes ashore.

• How to get there: Book a guided SUP-tour, rent a SUP or kayak
• Activity nearby: Rian Designmuseum
• Nearby stay: Ocean Hotel at Skrea Strand — boutique hotel with views of Marsten
• Nearby dining: Skrea Matbruk and Prostens Pizza

From Steninge beach, a stone pier stretches out to the small island of Stora Skär, giving the bathing spot its special character. Here, smooth rocks and sea scent meet, and once out on the skerry there’s plenty of room to sunbathe, swim and enjoy open views over the coast.

• How to get there: Walk out along the stone pier
• Activity nearby: Enjoy coastal trails north and south of the beach
• Nearby stay: Steninge Kuststation — accommodation close to both beach and nature
• Nearby dining: Steninge Kuststation or Göstas Café and Restaurant

In the heart of the Nissan River, flowing through Halmstad, lies Laxön — a classic excursion destination drawing visitors since the 1800s. Its close connection to nature makes it a must-visit whether you’re SUPing, meditating or booking a sauna session. It also puts you close to Halmstad’s town center and its lively atmosphere.

• How to get there: Walk across the bridge leading to Laxön
• Activity nearby: SUP, meditation and sauna on the island. Or explore what Halmstad has to offer, such as The PhotoGallery.
• Nearby stay: Glamping on Laxön or Hotel Mårtensson
• Nearby dining: Take a break from the glamping-life and explore the restaurants around Lilla Torg.

From Tylösand beach, the sea opens out to Tylön — a characteristic island lying just off the shoreline. Heather and rock meet at the sea’s edge, dominated by the historic Heidenstam beacon from 1870, still serving as a clear landmark in the Kattegat sea..

• How to get there: Best accessed by kayak or SUP, or via an annual boat service
• Activity nearby: Hike Prins Bertil's Trail with views over Tylön
• Nearby stay: Hotel Tylösand
• Nearby dining: Restaurant FYR

From the calm bays of Hjörnered Lakes spreads a water landscape dotted with small islands. Paddling is the natural way out to these islands, where you can go ashore for a coffee break, light a fire at one of the prepared fire pits, or simply enjoy the silence and lake views. Many islands here have campsites with shelters, dry toilets and fire pits — perfect for peaceful moments or overnight stays.

• How to get there: Canoe, kayak, or by boat.
• Activity nearby: Paddle canoe between islands
• Nearby stay: On the largest island, Fårön, you're allowed to camp. There’s also a spot for tents right by the canoe rental.
• Nearby dining: This experience is ideal for cooking over an open fire.

From the shore at Lake Bolmen, water opens out to the Tira Islands — a scattered group of large and small islands in the lake’s western part. Here you’ll find quiet bays, forested isles and clear ridges rising above the water — especially on Storö, where the ridge reaches almost ten meters. Many visitors reach these islands by boat or canoe, discovering peaceful forest paths and small sandy beaches perfect for a break or a cool swim.

• How to get there: Canoe, kayak, rowboat or motorboat
• Activity nearby: Hike Hallandsleden or bike Hylteleden
• Nearby stay: Tiraholm
• Nearby dining: Tiraholms fisk or Knystaforsen (Michelin-starred)