The poet Atterbom called Esterön "The Island of Bliss". It is an island with a mosaic of forest and open meadows and pastures.

Despite its situation at the inner end of Bråviken it very much resembles the islands of the archipelago further out along the coast.

The centre of the island has level open agricultural land. During the 17th century there were two crofts. One of them is now a well-preserved 18th century cottage called "Africa".

Cattle still graze the island to preserve the oak pastures with trees that are more than 300 years old. These trees are home to lichens, fungi and a host of insects that need old standing oaks in sunny locations in order to survive. The rocky terrains in the east and west have coniferous forest and the oldest forest on Esterön is to be found along the trail on the northwest part of the island. The pines are meagre and stunted and do not appear to be around 2-300 years old. Along the north side of the path the unusual One-flowered Wintergreen flourishes in the half-open grazed vegetation, a reminder that forests were once important grazing areas.

Esterön provides the visitor the opportunity to enjoy its varied animal and bird life that includes Roe deer, Badger, Hare and large numbers of waterfowl and small birds.

The shores are suitable for bathing. There is something to suit all tastes - fine sand or smooth sculptured rocks.

The reserve comprises 100 hectares of land and 675 hectares of water and is owned and managed by the Municipality of Norrköping.