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Welcome to Luleå archipelago

Luleå archipelago is part of the Bothnian archipelago. Here, the water is neither sweet nor salty and forms the world's largest brackish water archipelago.

There are 1 312 ever-changing islands in the Luleå archipelago, shaped by weather and wind, midwinter cold and the magical summertime midnight light. This vast archipelago, near the city, is well-preserved and tranquil. An experience for everyone and for all the senses.

Travelling with your own boat, you can dock at one of Luleå’s guest harbours or choose a natural harbour and have an entire island to yourself. Hop from beach to beach and walk across islands. Fall asleep and wake up in a tent or cottage in the archipelago, to the sound of sea birds, waves and winds. Bright, tranquil nights or days of adventure.

In the Luleå archipelago many kilometres of winter roads are ploughed, as a service to both visitors and residents. Experience the feeling of driving by car between the islands. Talk to the islanders and be amazed by the fact that in just a few months, the nearby inlet will be filled with boats.

Listen to the silence and experience the tranquility, rest your eyes where the unobstructed horizon meets the sky and recharge your batteries with energy from the vast, white vistas. Here there is plenty of room to just be, let your mind wander and find its way home.

Transportation in the archipelago

The archipelago ferries traffic the waters during summer and fall and trips to the larger islands are accessible and comfortable. On Sandön you will find the popular Klubbviken, with its two entirely diffe­rent sides: one idyllic and simple with sandy beaches, restaurants and fun activities, one untouched and facing the sea. On the tour boat you can reach the archipelago with islands such as Kluntarna, Småskär, Brändöskär, Hindersön and Junkön – islands which have been inhabited for hundreds of years. Fishermen’s cabins, light­house keepers’ cottages, lighthouses and log chapels remain.

Activities in the archipelago

Those used to life in the archipelago often say that you leave everything behind on the mainland. Worldly things leave your mind and time itself slows down. Here, there is a fresh fragrance, an aroma of sea and not harbour. The weather shifts. Sun turns to summer rain and mirror-like waters become stormy seas.

Get inspired

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Meet the eleventh generation of Junkön fishermen

The sea and the fishery are always in focus for a fishing family that has lived on Junkön for centuries. They know and love everything about the ever-changing ways of nature and the sea. The bountiful island attracts many visitors, both tour-boaters and leisure craft enthusiasts.

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Northern lights and the ice road in Luleå

Ice roads in the archipelago

When the ice along the coast outside Luleå is thick enough in the winter, about 30 km ice roads are preperd to a few islands in the archipelago. 

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