Kragerø is emphatically a summer destination. The town comes alive from late June to mid-August, when the harbours fill with boats, the restaurants open their outdoor terraces, and the skerries are warm enough for swimming. July is the peak, when Norwegians take their annual holiday and the islands are at their busiest.
Outside the summer season, Kragerø is quiet and many businesses close entirely. The coastal landscape is beautiful in autumn and spring, and the walking trails around the town and out to the lookout points are accessible year-round. But if you are coming to experience the boat culture, the island swimming, and the long Scandinavian summer evenings, June to August is the only time that makes sense.
The ferry to Jomfruland National Park operates a summer schedule only, typically from late May to early September.