Harstena

Harstena (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhâʂːˌteːna])[1] is an island located in the northern part of the Gryt archipelago in Valdemarsvik municipality, Sweden.

The island is principally known for the seal hunting that was once carried out there, but also as one of the stations for the shipping forecast broadcast by Sveriges Radio.

The island is a popular tourist attraction in summer, when daily boat tours depart from Fyrudden and Tyrislöt.

The island Hargstenö was mentioned in Gustav Vasa's jordebok from 1543 but burial sites indicate that it was inhabited already in the Iron Age.

Taxation records from that time show that fishing and seal hunting were the main source of income.