Kungsbackafjorden, Naturreservat

Kungsbackafjorden contains around fifty islands and skerries and is Halland's largest nature reserve. Sun, swimming and fishing attract thousands of visitors every year. To reach the islands you need access to a boat.

The reserve covers a total of 5,200 hectares, of which about 500 hectares consist of islands, land, rocks and skerries. The five largest islands are Kalvö, in the inner part, and Ramnö, Vindö, Hällesö and Brokö closer to the mouth. Camping is permitted in accordance with the right of public access on Brokö. Camping is allowed on the entire island.

Several nice swimming spots

There are several fine bathing spots on the islands, including a popular sandy beach in the southern bay of Kalvö, while from the northern part of Yttre Lön you can jump into the sea from a high cliff. On beautiful summer days, the boats are packed with sunbathers and bathers.

In Kungsbackafjorden you can enjoy the beautiful coastal nature of Halland with heather moors, beach meadows and bare rocks. The crevices are home to the common moorwort, yellow buttercup and trift. In the northern parts of the islands, open grass and heather moors spread out and heather, bell heather and others grow here. Sheep graze on the larger islands, which keeps the landscape open.

Animals and plants in the reserve

The nature reserve is home to a rich plant and animal life. More than 240 bird species have been observed in the reserve over the years. The grazed meadows are home to lapwings, redshanks, yellow wagtails and greater sandpipers. The meadows are also valuable resting places. Large flocks of waders feed on the meadows, to complete their long journey between the breeding grounds in the north and the wintering areas in south-western Europe and Africa. Large numbers of ducks, geese and swans also rest on the fjord in spring and fall. The fjord is the most important wintering site in Halland for lapwings and the rare common scoter.

To protect bird life, access is prohibited at seven locations in Kungsbackafjorden between 1/3 and 30/6. Respect the access bans!

Meadows with eelgrass under the surface

Diversity is also found below the surface, in vast eelgrass meadows and on algae-covered rocky bottoms. Eelgrass meadows provide shelter for juveniles and larger fish. However, they may not be able to avoid the sharp eyes of the osprey. This skilled hunter can often be seen hovering above the surface of the water, looking for a fish spine to pounce on.

Kungsbackafjorden is not really a fjord as it has no threshold at the mouth. The reserve is an estuary, a defined area of water with free exchange of water with the sea and with fresh water from rivers. The underwater environment is dominated by shallow bottoms but there are also deep channels. One of the channels is 30 meters deep!

Leaflets

Kungsbackafjorden Swedish Link to another website

Kungsbackafjorden English Link to another website.

Kungsbackafjorden German Link to another website.