Askö laboratory
The Askö laboratory is located on the island and nature reserve Askö in the Trosa archipelago south of Stockholm. The field station is a national infrastructure resource open for anyone who wants to conduct research, environmental monitoring, arrange courses or host research meetings and workshops related to the sea.
The Askö laboratory is part of the network European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) and offers access to laboratories, research vessels and equipment.
Five people in the staff
At Askö, we have a team of five staff members who work weekdays on the island between 08:30-16:00. High-season for resarch and courses is between May and September, but there is activity during the entire year, not least within the national and regional environmental monitoring programs. The station accomodates about 40 guests and there are two well-equipped kitchens for self-service. The Askö laboratory also is home port for our research vessel R/V Electra af Askö and other vessels.
About prices and how to book
Here is more information on the different uses of Askö and how to book.
A useful place
Read more about how to use our field station
Research and environmental monitoring
The knowledge about life below the surface is still almost rudimentary for the sea, compared to what we know about terrestrial environments. Researchers with with a wide range of projects come to the Askö Laboratory. Many work to improve our basic knowledge of ecology in different habitats. Others work to demonstrate the effect of different types of human disturbance on different species and ecosystems. About a third of our Askö visitors are researchers, the rest comprise course students or meeting members.
At the Askö Laboratory, researchers are offered several opportunities to study the sea, directly in field, inside the laboratory or in the middle, in the mesocosm experiment hall. Different methods suit different types of research.
Read more about the Baltic Sea Centre's work linked to the environmental monitoring
Meetings and workshops
With its idyllic environment, Askö is in many ways an ideal place for creative meetings. The isolated location and the beautiful surroundings provide good opportunities to focus, exchange experiences and drive processes forward within a project.
At the station, everything needed for effective meetings is available, an environment that makes it easy to team-build and the opportunity for exciting activities. Maybe try the snorkeling trail during the break? Or take a bike ride to the most beautiful beach in the entire archipelago? Barbeque in the evening sun and have a sauna session in the moonlight! Feel free to contact us for advice and inspiration before your meeting!
Courses and education
Many different courses use the Askö Laboratory annually to let the students try out field work in practice. The majority are university students from undergraduate level programs to highly specialized doctoral courses.
Approximately 400 students spend shorter or longer time at the Askö Laboratory. In total, we host 20 different courses on the island yearly.
More about Askö
Practical information, about the resources and how to get there
Directions to Askö
Road map to Uttervik and Askö
You can only reach Askö by boat from the small harbor Uttervik, south of Trosa. Travelling to Uttervik from Stockholm takes about 1 hour. From Nyköping it takes 45 minutes. The laboratory is not open to the public. Only pre-registered researchers and courses can visit the field station.
Directions
Take the E4 towards Trosa, junction number 138.
Turn right towards Studsvik; and drive through Vagnhärad.
Turn left on to road 219 towards Studsvik and Västerljung.
Turn left at the sign Trosa 5 km.
Turn right towards Uttervik 7 km, just after Tureholm Castle.
Follow the road all the way down to the harbor. Parking spaces are available.
No access to a car?
There are no buses passing Uttervik. The closest stops you can reach are Trosa or Vagnhärad and from there you can take a pre-booked taxi. SverigeTaxi is, among others, available in the area, tel +46 156-10 000.
If you don't have access to a car, we are happy to advise on carpooling with others planning to visit the island. Contact us if you need help with a ride to Uttervik.
Reaching the island
The boat trip to the island takes about 10-25 minutes, depending on which boat is running. During winters, too rough for the ice-breaking vessel Electra, snowmobiles are used to get back and forth from the island.
Courses and meetings are transported on agreed time slots. This is included in the price.
Other guests go with regular tours (no tours Saturday-Sunday and holidays):
from Uttervik to Askö at 8.00 a.m.
from Askö to Uttervik at 16.00 during summer (1/5 -15/9)
16.30 during winter (16/9-30/4)
If necessary and when operations allow, a free tour also runs:
from Askö to Uttervik by 10.00.
from Uttervik to Askö about 30 minutes later.
ALWAYS notify us by 14.00 the day before if you want to go to Askö. Otherwise we cannot guarantee that you will get a seat on board.
Other requests
If you have other time requests, please contact us. We do what we can to meet them.
Taxi boat
A taxi boat is available when needed, and a trip costs about 1000 SEK.
Contact Staffan Hammar, +4670-533 6979
Last updated: 2025-10-31
Source: Department name