10 Amazing Boat Trips in Finland
10 Amazing Boat Trips in Finland
Finland is called the land of a thousand lakes, but in reality there are nearly 188,000 – plus a coastline dotted with tens of thousands of islands. For boating enthusiasts, Finland is an eldorado that many international visitors have yet to discover. Here are ten boat trips that showcase the country at its absolute best.
1. Suomenlinna Fortress from Helsinki
Start right from Helsinki city centre and cross to Suomenlinna, the mighty sea fortress that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your own boat, you can moor at the fortress guest harbour and explore the massive bastions, museums, and cafés. Distance: just 15 minutes from central Helsinki.
2. Helsinki's Outer Archipelago
Continue past Suomenlinna into the outer archipelago. Pihlajasaari, Vallisaari, and Isosaari offer sandy beaches, quiet coves, and nature just a stone's throw from the capital. A perfect half-day outing.
3. The Archipelago Sea Between Turku and Åland
The Archipelago Sea (Saaristomeri) is the world's densest archipelago with over 50,000 islands. The route from Turku westward toward Åland is a classic Finnish boating experience. Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär, and Iniö are all worth visiting.
4. Saimaa – Europe's Fourth-Largest Lake
Saimaa is Finland's national lake. The enormous water system offers thousands of islands, narrow canals, and quiet inlets. Savonlinna with its medieval Olavinlinna Castle is a natural destination. Keep your eyes open for the endangered Saimaa ringed seal!
5. Åland Archipelago
Åland is an autonomous island region between Finland and Sweden with over 6,500 islands. Navigation here is a dream, with sheltered waters, welcoming harbours, and a relaxed atmosphere. Mariehamn is the capital and an excellent starting point.
6. Päijänne – The Deep Lake
Päijänne is Finland's second-largest lake and supplies Helsinki with drinking water. The crystal-clear water and steep, forested shores make it a favourite for nature-loving boaters. Jyväskylä in the north is a good starting point.
7. Bengtskär Lighthouse
Northern Europe's tallest lighthouse sits on a barren islet in the Baltic Sea south of Turku. The trip to Bengtskär is exciting but requires stable weather conditions. The lighthouse offers accommodation and a café – a truly unique experience.
8. The Archipelago Trail
The Archipelago Trail is a 250 km route through the Turku archipelago combining roads, bridges, and ferries. By boat, you can follow the route at your own pace and stop wherever you like. The trail passes through some of Finland's most beautiful landscapes.
9. Oulujärvi in the North
For the truly adventurous: Oulujärvi in central Finland is a large, wild lake surrounded by forest. Here you'll encounter almost no other boats, and the midnight sun lights up the nights in June–July.
10. Inarijärvi – Lapland's Lake
In the far north of Finland lies Inarijärvi, an Arctic lake with over 3,000 islands. The landscape is unique – tundra, mountain birch forest, and midnight sun. The boating season is short (June–August), but the experience is otherworldly.
Find Your Finnish Boating Experience
Finland deserves a place on every boater's bucket list. With Ship O'Hoi, you'll find boats at Finland's major coastal cities.
