Espoo archipelago by boat: islands, routes and rules
Espoo's archipelago lies just west of Helsinki, and it is well equipped for day trips by boat. The city runs twelve recreational islands (ulkoilusaaret), many with a guest pier, a cooking shelter and free firewood. The shortest trip, from Haukilahti to Iso Vasikkasaari, takes about a quarter of an hour. On a longer day you can wind through the Suvisaaristo straits to the Pentala archipelago museum, or head for the outer islands and camp overnight.
Where can you rent a boat in Espoo?
In Espoo, private owners rent out their own boats, from motorboats and RIBs to daycruisers and sailboats. See what is available on boat rental in Espoo. If you are starting from the east, also check boats to rent in Helsinki, as Käärmesaari is right on the Helsinki border. Each owner states in the listing what experience or certificate they require, and some owners can come along as your skipper.
6 boat trips in Espoo
Distances below are rough estimates from the map, in nautical miles (nm). Plan your route with a nautical chart or a chart app. The archipelago has plenty of shallows and rocks.
1. Haukilahti to Iso Vasikkasaari
This is approx. 1 nm from Haukilahti harbour, so you are there in 10–15 minutes. Iso Vasikkasaari has the most services of Espoo's islands: swimming beaches, a nature trail, a viewing tower, a playground, cooking shelters with firewood, and toilets and showers. Its taps are the only source of drinking water on the city's recreational islands. There are guest piers (vierasvenelaituri; a full guest harbour is a vierasvenesatama) with mooring buoys for short visits at the south and north ends. Visit Espoo says the island restaurant Gula Villan can also be reached by your own boat. Camping is not allowed.
Tip: keep the ferry pier clear for the scheduled island boats. Haukilahti harbour has a 10 km/h limit and a no-wake rule.
2. Tvijälp, Käärmesaari and Iso Vasikkasaari
This loop is approx. 6 nm from Haukilahti. First you pass Tvijälp, a wooded island off Westend with no services, where camping is not allowed. Käärmesaari, on the Helsinki border, has smooth rocky shores facing the open sea and a sheltered guest pier on its north shore. On the way back, stop for a swim at the south end of Iso Vasikkasaari.
Tip: off Westend there is a 15 km/h limit, and several bays have 10 km/h zones. The Linholminluodot islets off Westend are a nature reserve, so keep off them. If you want to carry on east towards Suomenlinna, see our boat trips in Helsinki's archipelago.
3. Suvisaaristo and the Pentala archipelago museum
Pentala is approx. 2.5 nm from Soukka and approx. 4 nm from Kivenlahti. The route passes villa shores in Suvisaaristo and runs through the narrow Suinonsalmi strait. Pentala is the highest island in southern Finland. On its northeast shore is Saaristomuseo Pentala, the Espoo City Museum's archipelago museum. It is a well-preserved fishing and villa setting that opened to visitors in 2018. You may tie up at the museum pier in your own boat, but places are limited. In summer the island has Café Pentala and the restaurant Paven (check opening times in advance). A 2.3 km nature trail leads to Diksand sand beach and to Pentalanjärvi, a lake with its own island.
Tip: much of Pentala is a nature reserve. Overnight stays, camping and fires are not allowed, and you may not land at Diksand beach in a motorboat.
4. The outer islands: Stora Herrö, Rövaren and Kaparen
Stora Herrö is approx. 1 nm from Pentala, and the outer islands are approx. 3–4 nm from Svinö or Suomenoja. Stora Herrö has a guest pier, a viewing tower, cooking shelters and a camping area. On Rövaren's east shore you will find a granite boulder about two metres tall and some glacial potholes. Rövaren has no public pier, but there are mooring rings in the shore rocks. Tiny Rövargrundet has room for only a few tents. According to the city, Kaparen suits people who sleep aboard their boat.
Tip: bring drinking water. The wells on the outer islands are not safe to drink from.
5. Gåsgrund, Knapperskär and Torra Lövö
This loop is approx. 8 nm from Suomenoja. Gåsgrund has a sheltered harbour on its northeast shore with public mooring places, buoys and rings. The sandy beaches on its north shore are good for children. Knapperskär is a low island of smooth rock, and Torra Lövö has a pier and a cooking spot. Camping is allowed on all three.
Tip: Gåsgrund is a popular camping island, so set off early on summer weekends.
6. West to Bylandet and towards Porkkala
Bylandet is approx. 10–11 nm one way from Kivenlahti. The island belongs to Kirkkonummi, but the City of Espoo maintains it. It has a pier for boaters, two cooking shelters, firewood and dry toilets, and camping is allowed. Further west lies the Porkkala peninsula. In 1944 it became part of a large area of Kirkkonummi leased to the Soviet Union as a naval base, and the borders were only reopened on 26 January 1956. Dozens of bunkers still stand in the terrain.
Tip: this route crosses more open water. Check the wind forecast, and watch for the Minnetin salmi (15 km/h) and Blindsund (10 km/h) limits and their no-wake rules.
| Route | Distance | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haukilahti – Iso Vasikkasaari | approx. 1 nm | 2–4 h | beaches, drinking water, Gula Villan | families, first-timers |
| Tvijälp – Käärmesaari – Iso Vasikkasaari | approx. 6 nm | 3–4 h | rocky shores on the Helsinki border | afternoon trip |
| Suvisaaristo – Pentala | approx. 2.5–4 nm | half a day | archipelago museum, Diksand beach | culture and a nature walk |
| Stora Herrö – Rövaren – Kaparen | approx. 3–4 nm | day or overnight | viewing tower, granite boulder | campers |
| Gåsgrund – Knapperskär – Torra Lövö | approx. 8 nm | full day | sheltered harbour, sandy beaches | families, camping |
| Bylandet and Porkkala | approx. 10–11 nm each way | full day | Porkkala history | experienced boaters |
Rules and safety in Espoo
- Speed limits. Suinonsalmi, the Pentala–Tallholm strait, Kylänlahti and Haukilahti harbour all have a 10 km/h limit (about 5 knots) and a no-wake rule. Espoonlahti bay has a 20 km/h limit and Temppelinsalmi 15 km/h. In the innermost part of Espoonlahti and in Luomanlahti, motorboats are banned, except on the route that crosses the area. Finnish limits are signed in km/h, not knots. All limits are shown on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's restriction map. In harbours, go even slower than the limit if your wake causes a nuisance.
- Ferry traffic. In summer, scheduled island boats serve Iso Vasikkasaari, Pentala, Gåsgrund, Rövaren and Stora Herrö, so keep their piers clear. The exception is Pentala, where the museum pier also takes private boats, but leave room for the ferry. Helsinki's shipping lanes, such as the West Harbour fairway, lie further east.
- The city's island rules. Camping is allowed only on Bylandet, Gåsgrund, Knapperskär, Rövargrundet, Rövaren, Stora Herrö and Torra Lövö (City of Espoo). Fires are only allowed at official fire places and in cooking shelters. Ball grills and disposable grills are not allowed anywhere else. Check the wildfire warning before lighting anything, and keep dogs on a leash.
- Nature protection. Parts of the forests on Pentala and Stora Herrö are nature reserves. Linholminluodot and Laajalahti bay are important bird areas, so follow the signs and stay off the islets in the nesting season.
- Everyone's rights (jokaisenoikeudet). Finland's right of public access lets you boat, swim and stay temporarily in nature. It does not let you go onto private yards or camp too close to homes. You may not make an open fire on someone else's land or disturb birds' nests (luontoon.fi).
- Toilet waste. By law, a boat toilet must be connected to a holding tank. Empty the tank at a pump-out station, for example at Haukilahti, Soukka, Suomenoja, Kivenlahti or Svinö. Svinö also has a fuel point for boats.
- Who may drive. Finland has no compulsory boat licence for leisure boats up to 24 m. A motorboat that must be registered (engine 15 kW or more, or hull 5.5 m or longer) may only be driven by someone aged 15 or older. Traficom advises owners to check a renter's experience. More in our guide to boat licence rules in Finland.
- Stay sober. The drink-driving limit on the water is 1.0 per mille (Traficom). The sea rescue number is 0294 1000.
Best time for a boat trip in Espoo
June to August is the best time, when services on the islands are open. Pentala's café and museum mainly operate in those months. The scheduled island boats usually run from mid-May to mid-September, with no service on Mondays. The outer islands face open sea, so check the wind forecast before you go. For current timetables and services, see the City of Espoo's archipelago pages.
FAQ
Can I stay overnight on my boat at Espoo's islands?
Yes, as long as the island allows it. The city says Kaparen suits people sleeping aboard. Overnight stays are not allowed on Pentala.
Where can I get drinking water in the archipelago?
Of the city's recreational islands, only Iso Vasikkasaari has drinking water from taps. Bring your own water to the others.
Can I have a barbecue on the islands?
You can make a fire in the cooking shelters and at official fire places, and the city supplies the firewood. Disposable grills and campfires anywhere else are not allowed. Always check the wildfire warning first.
Is Nuuksio part of a boat trip in Espoo?
No. Nuuksio National Park is inland and cannot be reached from the sea. This guide covers Espoo's sea area and archipelago.
Do I need experience to rent a boat?
The owner sets the requirements and states them in the listing. If you have little experience, choose a boat whose owner can come along as skipper.
To continue east along the coast, read our guide from Helsinki to Porvoo by boat. And before you set off, go through the packing list for a boat day trip.
