Kungsviken: Shipyard History and Swimming Spot

Kungsviken combines a strong boatbuilding tradition with the child-friendly swimming spot, Kungsvikens badplats. The village therefore brings together two distinct interests: maritime cultural history spanning several periods and a specific place to enjoy the water. Its history includes a well-preserved shipyard setting and the boats Polstjernan and Josefin; the swimming spot has a diving tower and a seasonal swimming school. When planning your vacation, you face a clear choice: should your choice of destination be shaped more by cultural history, a day of swimming, or a combination of both?

Kungsviken and Orust’s Boatbuilding Tradition

The Municipality of Orust lists Kungsviken in its cultural heritage conservation program as a coastal settlement of great cultural and historical value. This classification reflects a boatbuilding tradition that is part of the village’s history and of northwestern Orust more broadly. In the mid-19th century, shipyards on Orust flourished; in the northwest of the island, Kungsviken, Brattås and Svineviken were known for their boatbuilding. In the early 20th century, there were more than fifteen different boatyards along the shores of Kungsviken Bay. Kungsviken is therefore associated not just with a single shipyard, but with a long coastal tradition that included several places in northwestern Orust.

One historic link is Gösta Johansson’s shipyard. He founded it in 1947 under the name “Kungsvikens Jakt- och Motorbåtsvarv”. The entire unique shipyard setting has been preserved, including its buildings, sawmill, slipway and landing pier. Kungsviken is also considered an important place where boatbuilding knowledge has survived and continued to develop to the present day.

Two Boats, Two Building Periods

Two boats give this history concrete dates. Polstjernan was built in Kungsviken in 1919 by Julius i Kilen, Gösta Johansson’s father. The motor-sailing vessel Josefin was built much later: Gösta Johansson built it in Kungsviken from 1982 to 1984. In Josefin’s case, two terms describe different aspects: motor-sailing vessel refers to the type of boat, while carvel-built refers to its construction method. The comparison spans a boat from 1919 and a later period of boatbuilding, making the breadth of local boatbuilding history tangible.

Members can book Josefin and Myra. If you plan to take advantage of this option, check your membership and availability before travelling.

Swimming Spot and Seasonal Activities

The swimming spot Kungsvikens badplats is child-friendly and has a diving tower. A swimming school is also offered there, but only seasonally. Before you travel, check whether the dates for the seasonal swimming school fall during your stay. For families planning time by the water, the swimming spot is a distinct attraction alongside the village’s history. The shipyard history can be understood through specific years of construction, while the time of year matters for the swimming school.

Discover more destinations: Tegneby.

For the overview of the wider area: Henån.