Boating in Finland
Photo: Petr Kraumann, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Finland is a great boating destination. The "Land of a thousand lakes" has thousands of islands too, in the lakes and in the coastal archipelagos.
In the archipelagos and lakes you do not necessarily need a yacht. Although the coastal archipelagos and the biggest lakes are indeed big enough for any yacht, smaller boats or even a kayak offer a different experience.
Boating is a national pastime in Finland, with a boat to every seven or eight people. This is matched by Norway, Sweden and New Zealand, but otherwise quite unique (e.g. in the Netherlands the figure is one to forty).
UnderstandThe main boating destinations are the Åland Islands and the Archipelago Sea, the archipelago along the south coast, the archipelagos along the west coast, and the lake district.
Get inYou might want to come with your own yacht, or have friends who are thinking of importing a yacht to Finland.
DestinationsThere are many towns and cities worth seeing, most mentioned in the sections below. Besides these there are islands and archipelagos yacht cruisers should know and some villages worth mentioning here.
Stay safeWater at sea is cold. Life jackets are necessary even when the shore is near. Keep your clothes on to stay warm longer.
ConnectFor emergencies at sea in Finland (or anything that might develop into one) contact the maritime rescue centre (MRCC Turku for most of the coast and sea, MRSC Helsinki for Gulf of Finland), VHF 70/16 or phone…
CopeRecycling points in the guest harbours by the coasts are usually maintained by the association Håll skärgården ren.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Boating in Finland" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Petr Kraumann, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons