Lighthouses of Sweden: Tanum Area (Northern Bohuslän)

Bohuslän is the coastal region at the westernmost edge of Sweden, including the coast between Göteborg and the Norwegian border. The region is included now in the county of Västra Götaland. Roughly 150 km (90 mi) long, the coastline of Bohuslän faces west on the Skagerrak, the broad channel that separates Norway from Denmark. It is a rocky coastline with countless small islands and skerries creating hazardous conditions for sailors. It's not surprising that it requires a great many small lights, most of them located offshore. This page covers the lighthouses of the northern part of Bohuslän, including the municipalities of Sotenäs, Tanum, and Strömstad.

The Swedish word for a lighthouse is fyr. The front light of a range is the nedrefyr (lower light) and the rear light is the övrefyr (upper light). Aids to navigation in Sweden are maintained by the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket). The Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet) works for the preservation of the lighthouses.

I'm indebted to Michel Forand for providing excellent information for this page, including information from one of the books in his collection: Viktoria Ask and Maria Sidén, Fyrguide från Kattholmen till Smygehuk (2000).

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. SV numbers are from the Sjöfarsverket light list as reported by the Swedish Lighthouse Society. Current Admiralty numbers are from volume C of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals, although most of these lights were formerly listed in volume B. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 116.


Hållös Fyr; Västra Götalands Län photo by T. Carlén
General Sources
Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet, SFA)
The Society has a large web site, and some of the information is available in English as well as Swedish. An interactive map links to pdf pages (in Swedish) for many of the major lighthouses, and there is a list of photos available for more than 480 lights.
Online List of Lights - Sweden
Photos by various photographers posted by Alex Trabas.
Lighthouses in Sweden
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Schwedische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.

Sotenäs Municipality Lighthouses

Brandskär Area Lighthouses
Tän
1974. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; the gallery rail and the concrete base are painted gray. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, the light is seen at the far left of Trabas's photo of the Brandskärsflak lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the southern tip of Malmön. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8318; Admiralty C0378.2; NGA 0340.
Dynabrott
1974. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 8 s. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrcial tower with upper and lower galleries, lantern, and a helipad atop the lantern. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson (note the Brandskärflak Fyr in the background), Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band. This light and the Brandskärflak Fyr are located within a few hundred meters of each other, marking ends of the same shoal. Located on a shoal in the Skagerrak about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Sotenäs and 6 km (3.5 mi) west of Lysekil. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-119; SV-8316; Admiralty C0376.2; NGA 0320.
Brandskärsflak
1974. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical tower with upper and lower galleries, lantern, and a helipad atop the lantern. Lighthouse painted white with one green horizontal band. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal in the Skagerrak about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Sotenäs and 6 km (3.5 mi) west of Lysekil. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-105; SV-8317; Admiralty C0376; NGA 0316.

Bohus-Malmön Area Lighthouses
Snurran (relocated Svensholmen (1))
1890 (relocated in 2003). Inactive since 2002 (a decorative light is displayed); although the light us unlisted the lantern is also floodlit at night and is charted as a navigational aid. Approx. 7 m (23 ft) tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This is the original Svensholmen lighthouse, previously located near Skalhamn (see Southern Bohuslän). Replaced by a modern light in 2002, it was purchased by a group of lighthouse fans, the Snurrans Fyrförening, and relocated to Bohus-Malmön by helicopter in August 2003. The association has several photos, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. SFA has a historic photo by C. Lagerwall of the light at its original location. Located on a small island on the Malmön waterfront; the island is accessible by a bridge. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Snurrans Fyrförening på Bohus-Malmön. ex-SV-8314.
* Breviksudden Nedre
Date unknown (station established 1940). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on,1.5 s off. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern, painted white, mounted on a concrete pad. Trabas has a closeup photo. Located on a promontory of the mainland about 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of Bohus-Malmön. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0360; NGA 0356.
Snurrans Fyr
Snurrans Fyr, December 2009
photo copyright Snurrans Fyrförening på Bohus-Malmön
permission requested

Smögen Area Lighthouses
Flåttarna (2)
1959 (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white with a red roof. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson. Located on a skerry between Smögen and Malmön. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8333; Admiralty C0366; NGA 0348.
* Hållö
1842 (height increased in 1868). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 12 s. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical rubblestone tower surmounted by a conical cast iron watch room, lantern and gallery. The stone tower is painted white, the cast iron red, and the lantern black. A photo appears at the top of this page, SFA has a photo by E. Hillberg, Trabas has a wider view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The cast iron stage and lantern were added to the original stone tower in 1868. Hållö is an island in the Skagerrak about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of Smögen. The island and several nearby islets have been included in a nature reserve, and tours of the reserve are available from Sotenäs. Located on the east side of the island, guiding vessels toward Sotenäs. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Hållöarkipelagen Naturreservat. ARLHS SWE-173; SV-8357; Admiralty C0375; NGA 0276.
* Gravarne (Gravarna) Nedre
Date unknown (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); red light,white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern, painted red; the range light is mounted atop the lantern and the sector light inside. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Trabas also has a photo of the rear light. Located on the south side of Smögen, where it guides vessels into the port. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-450; SV-8364; Admiralty C0370.1; NGA 0288.
* Skarvasätt
Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white with a red roof. SFA has a photo by C. Lagerwall, Mattias Nowak has a photo, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island off the western side of the island of Smögen, which is separated from Sotenäs by a narrow channel. The island is accessible by bridge. Accessible only by boat. Site open; tower closed. SV-8399; Admiralty C0353; NGA 0242.
Mjölskär
1936. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round conical stone base. Tower painted white with a black horizontal band at the bottom; lantern painted white; stone base unpainted. A photo is at right, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas has a distant view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. The lighthouse replaced the Klövskär lighthouse. Located on a skerry about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Smögen. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-280; SV-8408; Admiralty C0352; NGA 0240.

Mjölskärs Fyr, August 2005
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Hunnebostrand Area Lighthouses
Söö Övre
1936. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. Trabas has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on an island about 1.5 km (1 mi) west of Hunnebostrand. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0344.1; NGA 0224.

Tanum Municipality Lighthouses

Hamburgsund Area Lighthouses
Langholmen Nedre
Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white. D. Eriksson has a closeup photo, Carl Berglund has another closeup, and another photo is available, but the small light is inconspicuous in Google's satellite view. Trabas has a photo of the rear light. Located on a skerry off Lilla Hamburgö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8505; Admiralty C0340 (ex-B2116); NGA 0208.
Sotens Svartskär (2)
1956 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with an octagonal lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas also has a photo, a distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the northwestern point of Hamburgö, marking the entrance to the narrow channels leading to Hamburgsund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-361; SV-8446; Admiralty C0339 (ex-B2118); NGA 0204.
* Sandviksholmen
1939. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with an octagonal lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. Trabas has an excellent photo, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the north end of a small island off north side of the island of Hamburgö. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-336; SV-8449; Admiralty C0338 (ex-B2120); NGA 0200.
Skålholmen
1936. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); flash every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This light marks the east side of a group of dangerous skerries, with Väderöbod marking the west side. Located on a skerry 3.5 km (2.2 mi) east of the Väderöbod lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0334 (ex-B2127); NGA 0196.
Väderöbod (2)
1964 (station established 1867). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); one long flash every 8 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Volunteers help maintain two 1-story keeper's houses and other light station buildings. The original 2nd order Fresnel lens is on display in Fjällbacka. Lars Reidar's photo is at right, Mats-Ola Persson has a good photo, SFA has a photo by B. Olofsson, an excellent photo of the station is available, and Google has a satellite view. The present lighthouse replaced a cast iron skeletal lighthouse with central cylinder. Huelse has a postcard view of that lighthouse, and SFA has a historic photo. Located on a small rocky island in the Skagerrak about 15 km (9 mi) west southwest of Fjällbacka. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-409; SV-8466; Admiralty C0335 (ex-B2126); NGA 0192.
Väderöbods Fyr
Väderöbods Fyr, July 2009
Wikimedia public domain photo by Lars Reidar

Fjällbacka Area Lighthouses
Lilla Köttö (2)
1917 (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern, painted white. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the southwest end of an island, about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) northwest of Fjällbacka. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8498; Admiralty C0327 (ex-B2135); NGA 0184.
Testholmen
1939. Active; focal plane 5 m (16 ft); quick flashing white, red or green light, depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern mounted on a round concrete foundation. Lantern painted white. SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson. Located at the north end of an island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of Fjällbacka. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8461; Admiralty C0328 (ex-B2134); NGA 0176.
Brände Holmen (Bränteholmen)
1909. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete base. Lighthouse painted white. A very distant view is available (9th row, about 3/8 the way down the page). Located at the southern end of Brände Holmen, a small island about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Fjällbacka. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0330 (ex-B2132); NGA 0168.
Södra Syster
1951. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete base. Lighthouse painted white, base black. A good photo is available, and Google has a dim satellite view. Located on a small island about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Fjällbacka. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0331 (ex-B2131); NGA 0164.

Grebbestad Area Lighthouses
Djupskär
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 6.5 m (21 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a black horizontal band. A distant view is available, Lars Ejgde has a second view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a skerry about 1.6 km (1 mi) southwest of Otterö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0322 (ex-B2140); NGA 0160.
Otterö
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white. A good photo is available, but the tower does not appear in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located on the southwest tip of Otterö, an island southwest of Grebbestad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0319 (ex-B2144); NGA 0140.
Stångeskär (1)
1890. Inactive since 1939. 4 m (13 ft) square wood building; the light was displayed from a short post attached to a gable. Building painted white. Tomas Knutsson's photo of the modern light apparently shows this building at the extreme right. Located on a skerry off the southwestern tip of Pinnö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
Stångeskär (2)
1939 (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round lantern mounted on a round concrete base. Lantern painted white, base black. SFA has a photo by Tomas Knutsson. Located on a skerry off the southwestern tip of Pinnö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8510; Admiralty C0320 (ex-B2142); NGA 0132.

Havstenssund Area Lighthouses
Väcker (Tjurpannan)
1939. Active; focal plane 14 m (43 ft); four flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 14 m (43 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round conical stone base. Tower painted white with a black horizontal band at the top; lantern painted white with a red roof; stone base unpainted. A photo is at right, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas has a photo, Hans Boström has a good photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry in the Skagerrak about 3 km (2 mi) south southwest of Havstenssund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-407; SV-8530; Admiralty C0314 (ex-B2149); NGA 0128.
Väcker Fyr
Väckers Fyr, December 2008
anonymous Wikipedia Creative Commons photo
* Havstenssund Nedre
1890. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 4 m (13 ft) lantern and gallery, mounted on a round concrete base. Lantern painted white with a red roof. Trabas has a good photo, Rikke Lind has a photo, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a steep cliff at the southwestern corner of Havstenssund, where it guides ships into the harbor. Accessible by a hiking trail and boardwalk. Site open, tower closed. SV-8537; Admiralty C0312; NGA 0120.
* Havstenssund Övre
1901. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); quick-flashing red light. 4 m (13 ft) lantern, painted white with a red roof. Wikimedia has a closeup photo, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located high on a rocky bluff on the west side of the island of Havsten north of Havstenssund harbor. Site open, tower closed. SV-8537.1; Admiralty C0312.01; NGA 0124.
Ramskär
1917. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with one broad black horizontal band. The Geological Survey of Sweden has a good photo by Thomas Eliasson, SFA has a historic photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a rock in the Skagerrak about 10 km (6 mi) due west of Havstenssund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-316; SV-8614; Admiralty C0308 (ex-B2155); NGA 0116.
Bissen (2)
1939 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 8.5 m (28 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof painted red. Rasmus Pedersen has a photo, Wikimedia has a photo, Trabas has a photo showing only the lantern, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the southern tip of Bissen, marking a narrow passage between that island and the island of Store Snart, about 600 m (0.4 mi) west of the western point of Resö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0310 (ex-B2153); NGA 0114.
Svangen (3)
1983 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round white lantern mounted on a round concrete base. 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house, painted red except the upper story of the front of the house is painted white as daymark. A photo is at right, SFA has a closeup photo by J. Alm, Wikimedia has a view from the sea by Thomas Eliasson, Markus Källander has a view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. The original light was mounted on the keeper's house; it was replaced by a freestanding tower in 1923. The keeper's house was sold in 1957 and is a private summer residence; the rest of the island is a nature preserve. Located on a rocky island in the Skagerrak about 3 km (2 mi) west of Resö. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. SV-8617; Admiralty C0306; NGA 0112.
Svangen Fyr
Svangens Fyr, 2007
anonymous Wikipedia Creative Commons photo

Strömstad Municipality Lighthouses

Kosteroarna (Koster Islands) Lighthouses
Note: The two Koster Islands are the westernmost inhabited territories of Sweden. The permanent population of about 300 is increased greatly by vacationers during the summer. Transportation to the islands is available from Strömstad.
Ursholmen Syd
1891. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); two long flashes every 15 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 13 m (42 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a black horizontal band at the top; lantern painted black. A photo is at right, a 2010 photo shows the lighthouse freshly repainted, another excellent closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The Ursholmen lights are Sweden's westernmost lighthouses; they were built to replace the pair at Nord Koster (see below). In 2008, the Sjöfartsverket transferred the two lighthouses to the Naturvårdsverket (the Swedish environmental protection agency), along with funds for their restoration. The restoration was underway late in 2008 and was completed in 2009. Ursholmen is an islet in the Skagerrak about 3 km (1.8 mi) southwest of Syd Koster; the island is a protected nature reserve. Accessible only by boat, but there is a distant view from Syd Koster. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Naturvårdsverket. Site manager: Stiftelsen Ursholmen. ARLHS SWE-404; SV-8608; Admiralty C0304 (ex-B2159); NGA 0096.
Ursholmen Nord
1891. Inactive since 1931. 10 m (33 ft) round masonry tower, painted white with a black horizontal band at the top; lantern removed. J. Alm has a photo showing both Ursholmen towers, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view of both lights in service, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was repaired after it was gutted by fire in 1920. Accessible only by boat, but there is a distant view from Syd Koster. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Naturvårdsverket. Site manager: Stiftelsen Ursholmen. ARLHS SWE-403.
Vattenholmen (Vattenholm)
Date unknown (station established 1889). Active; focal plane10 m (33 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white with a red roof (according to NGA). SFA has a photo by E. Hillberg in which the lantern roof is white. Trabas also has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a skerry about 500 m (0.3 mi) offshore and 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of Tjärnö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8551; Admiralty C0293 (ex-B2173); NGA 0076.
Sneholm
1939. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a black horizontal band under the gallery. Trabas has a photo, Henry Law has a view from the sea, D. Eriksson provided a photo to the Lighthouse Society, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an islet about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the east coast of Syd Koster. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-357; SV-8569; Admiralty C0291 (ex-B2176); NGA 0064.
Ursholemen Fyr Syd
Ursholmens Fyr Syd, August 2009
anonymous Creative Commons photo
* Nord Koster (Nordkoster) Nord
1849. Reactivated (inactive 1891-2001); focal plane about 65 m (214 ft); light characteristic unknown. Approx. 7 m (23 ft) round masonry tower with lantern. Lighthouse painted white; lantern painted gray. Martin Fredholm's 2008 photo is at right, the Lighthouse Society has a closeup photo by D. Eriksson, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Nord Koster is one of two islands in the Skagerrak about 5 km (3 mi) west of Tjärnö and a short distance south of the Norwegian border. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the twin lighthouses built on the island in 1849. The lighthouses were deactivated in 1891 in favor of the Ursholmen Fyr. This tower was restored beginning in the 1980s and reactivated at least by 2000. Located on the highest point of island, near the center. The island is accessible by ferry from Strömstad. Site open, tower closed. SV-8639.2.
* Nord Koster (Nordkoster) Syd
1849. Inactive since 1891. Approx. 5 m (17 ft) round masonry tower; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the twin lighthouses built on Nord Koster in 1849. The lighthouses were deactivated in 1891 in favor of the Ursholmen Fyr. This tower has been restored in recent years, but not reactivated. The two towers are about 70 m (78 yd) apart. Located on the highest point of island, near the northern end. The island is accessible by ferry from Strömstad. Site open, tower closed.
Käbblingarna
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane approx. 10 m (33 ft); flash every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 6 m (20 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. Trabas has a very distant view, and Google has a satellite view. The listed focal plane height of 5 m does not match the photo. Located on a skerry about 6 km (3.5 mi) west southwest of Strömstad. Accessible only by boat, but there should be a least a distant view from ferries between Strömstad and Ebanäs on Syd Koster. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0287 (ex-B2181); NGA 0044.

Strömstad Area Lighthouses
Strömstad (Killingsholmen)
1924. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white with a red roof. Trabas has a photo, E. Hillberg has posted a photo, Ola Säfströmer has a view from the sea, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on Nord-Långö, an island in the entrance to Strömstad harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-8595; Admiralty C0282; NGA 0028.
Nordkoster Nord Fyr
Nordkosters Fyr Nord, August 2008
photo copyright Martin Fredholm; used by permission
Klövningarna (Nedre)
Date unknown (station established 1926). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. A photo is available, and the light is seen in silhouette in a sunset photo, but Google has only a distant satellite view. Located on a skerry about 1.6 km (1 mi) north of Nord Koster. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0280 (ex-B2190); NGA 0012.
Södra Längön Övre (2?)
1939. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); quick-flashing light, white or red dependng on direction. 15 m (49 ft) post light mounted on a round masonry tower, painted white. Trabas has a photo, but the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view. The range guides vessels approaching Strömstad harbor. Located near the southern tip of the island of Södra Längön, about 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Strömstad. Site status unknown. Admiralty C0281.01 (ex-B2188.1); NGA 0024.

Kebal Area Lighthouses
Nord-Hällsö (Klövningarna Övre)
Date unknown (station established 1926). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white. A closeup is available, Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 5 km (3 mi) west northwest of Kebal and 6.4 km (4 mi) northeast of the front light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0280.01 (ex-B2190.1); NGA 0016.
Tjurholmsknappen (Tjurholmen) (2)
1914 (station established 1884). Inactive. 4 m (13 ft) round masonry tower; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white with a black horizontal band at the top. A 2009 closeup is available, Geocaching.com also has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Tjurholmen faces the Norwegian island of Søndre Sandøy across a channel about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) wide. Located on an island about 3 km (1.8 mi) northwest of Kebal. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower status unknown.
Tjurholmsknappen (Tjurholmen) (3)
1939 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Trabas has a photo, another photo is available (about 1/3 the way down the page), and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a skerry about 1 km (0.6 mi) south of the previous lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0279 (ex-B2197); NGA 0008.
Kattholmen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white. Trabas has a photo, but the small light is barely visible in Google's satellite view. Kattholmen is an island about 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Lervik. Located on the east end of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0277 (ex-B2196); NGA 0004.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Oslo Area | South: Uddevalla Area

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Posted March 18, 2007. Checked and revised November 10, 2011. Lighthouses: 44. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.