Helsinki to Porvoo by boat: the Sipoo archipelago
Going from Helsinki to Porvoo by boat means following a sheltered inner route: from Vuosaari in east Helsinki, through the Sipoo archipelago and up the Porvoonjoki river to the riverside of Old Porvoo. On the way you pass Kaunissaari, an outdoor island run by the City of Helsinki, with sandy beaches, Sipoo's excursion islands, and on the Porvoo side Pirttisaari and the Pellinki archipelago. Make it a short hop to one island or a full day from city to city.
Where can you rent a boat near Helsinki and Sipoo?
The easiest starting points are east Helsinki and the Sipoo coast. Browse boats to rent in Sipoo and boats to rent in Helsinki. On Ship O'Hoi, private owners rent out their own boats, and each owner states in the listing what experience or certificate they expect from you. Some owners can also come along as skipper, handy if these waters are new to you.
6 boat trips from Helsinki to Porvoo
All distances are approximate and estimated from the map. Always plan your route on a nautical chart or chart app, and check the weather before heading out to the more open outer archipelago.
1. Vuosaari to Kaunissaari
Kaunissaari is approx. 7–8 nautical miles (nm) from Vuosaari, less than an hour at a relaxed cruising speed. The island lies in Sipoo but is managed by the City of Helsinki as a public outdoor island. In a sheltered bay on the east side there is a vierasvenesatama, the Finnish word for a guest harbour, with 80 buoy and chain moorings and a depth of 1.9 m. Berths cannot be booked in advance; day visits are free until 18:00, and staying overnight costs a fee. Ashore you find a 4 km nature trail, sandy beaches, saunas for rent and, in summer, a restaurant about 500 m from the harbour. Camping is allowed only in designated areas.
Tip: there is no electricity on the island, and quiet hours in the harbour run from 23:00 to 07:00. On summer weekends, arrive before midday to find a free buoy.
2. Sipoo's inner islands: Östholmen, Furuholmen and Norrkullalandet
From Vuosaari to Östholmen and Furuholmen is approx. 4–5 nm, and Norrkullalandet is a few miles further, approx. 8 nm in total one way. Östholmen has a sandy beach, a children's play area and moorings, while Furuholmen's sheltered harbour makes landing easy. Norrkullalandet is the most popular destination in the Sipoo archipelago: it has guest berths (overnight stays allowed), two landing piers, Café Seasong with its own customer pier, a sauna and hot tub to book, sandy beaches, grill sites and a forest trail to a wooden observation tower with views as far as Söderskär lighthouse.
Tip: if you need the mainland, Kalkkiranta harbour on the Sipoo coast has guest berths for errands of up to four hours, plus a kiosk and a restaurant.
3. Kaunissaari to the Söderskär lighthouse view
From Kaunissaari it is approx. 5 nm across more open water to the Söderskär lighthouse islands in Porvoo's outer archipelago. Söderskär is a protected archipelago reserve and an important nesting site for seabirds, so treat this as a sightseeing run: pass the islands slowly, enjoy the lighthouse from the water and head back to Kaunissaari for a swim.
Tip: landing is prohibited during the nesting season, and jet skis are banned in the whole area. Follow the signs on the islands, and only go on a calm day, as the waves build quickly out here.
4. Pirttisaari in the Porvoo outer archipelago
Pirttisaari is approx. 12 nm from Vuosaari. Although many visitors reach it from the Sipoo side, the island belongs to Porvoo; its outdoor and conservation areas are managed by the Uusimaa recreation association (Uuvi) and Metsähallitus. The Svartviken jetty also takes boats with deeper keels, and there are mooring rings and buoys. You can cook in the shelter at Lerviksudden, and the cliffs give wide views over the sea.
Tip: there are no wells on Pirttisaari, so bring drinking water. Fires are allowed only at marked sites, and never when a wildfire warning is in force.
5. Helsinki to Porvoo: the full inner route and the river
From Vuosaari to the Porvoo guest harbour is approx. 26 nm along the inner route. Set aside a whole day, because the river section is slow. At sea the route weaves between the Sipoo islands; at Porvoo the sea turns into a river delta. The Ruskis nature reserve starts at the southern end of the river, and the ship and boat route runs partly through the reserve; according to the City of Porvoo, the speed limit on it is 10 km/h (about 5.4 knots). On the way up you can stop at Hamari, a former sawmill village, which has six free guest berths for up to four hours.
The Porvoo guest harbour is on the east bank of the river next to the passenger quay, about 500 m from the market square. It is open from 15 May to 30 September. There are 23 stern-to berths and 66 m of side-tie space for larger boats, with a minimum depth of 1.9 m at the piers and in the channel. Showers, toilets, laundry and a water point are available, and electricity is charged separately. Further along the east bank there are free two-hour courtesy berths if you only want to stop for a meal.
Tip: the river is narrow. Keep to the starboard side, give rowers plenty of room, and allow at least half an hour for the slow river section.
6. Porvoo to Pellinki
From the Porvoo guest harbour to the Pellinki (Pellinge) archipelago is approx. 15 nm. Pellinki is a lively archipelago village of bays, lush islands and steep cliffs, and Tove Jansson, the creator of the Moomins, spent several months every year on an islet in Porvoo's outer archipelago. The guest pier at Sandholmsudden has room for about 15 boats, and short visits without an overnight stay are free.
Tip: the deep-water fairway to the Kilpilahti oil harbour runs off the Porvoo coast. Cross it at a right angle and stay well clear of tankers.
The routes at a glance
| Route | Distance | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vuosaari – Kaunissaari | approx. 7–8 nm | under 1 h | sandy beaches, nature trail | families, day trip |
| Sipoo inner islands | approx. 8 nm | 1–2 h plus stops | Norrkullalandet tower and café | beginners, sheltered water |
| Kaunissaari – Söderskär | approx. 5 nm | 30–45 min | lighthouse from the water | calm days, more experienced |
| Vuosaari – Pirttisaari | approx. 12 nm | 1–1.5 h | cliffs, cooking shelter | hikers, picnics |
| Vuosaari – Porvoo | approx. 26 nm | 3–4 h | Porvoonjoki river and Old Porvoo | full day, overnight |
| Porvoo – Pellinki | approx. 15 nm | 1.5–2 h | archipelago village, Tove Jansson landscapes | summer weekends |
Rules and safety between Helsinki and Porvoo
- Big ships: Vuosaari Harbour handles container and ro-ro traffic, and passenger ferries leave from its Hansa Terminal. Tankers call at Kilpilahti (Sköldvik), home to the Nordic region's largest oil-refining and petrochemical cluster. A large ship cannot swerve or stop quickly, so cross fairways at right angles and never cut in front of a ship. If your boat has a VHF radio, Helsinki VTS sector 2 works on channel 9.
- Speed limits: on the Porvoonjoki river the limit is 10 km/h. Jet skis are banned in, among other places, Söderskär, Långören, Tunnholmen, Ruskis and Stensbölen selkä (City of Porvoo). Permanent water-traffic restrictions are shown on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's map service (Traficom).
- Bird areas: Helsinki's protected bird islets are generally closed from early April to mid-August (some for a shorter period, such as 15 April–31 July), and the protected zone usually extends 25 m into the water, 50 m at newer sites (City of Helsinki, Luontoviisas). The Porvoonjoki delta and Stensböle form a Natura 2000 and Ramsar wetland area.
- Everyman's right: you may move freely on the water and swim, but you may not light an open fire on someone else's land or disturb the privacy of homes (luontoon.fi). Use the marked fireplaces on the outdoor islands.
- Toilet waste: discharging toilet waste from a boat into the water is prohibited in Finnish waters. Kaunissaari has a manual pump-out point.
- Licence and age: Finland has no compulsory boat licence for leisure boats up to 24 m. A motor-powered craft 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, and owners may ask about your experience. See our guide to boat licence rules in Finland.
Best time for a boat trip from Helsinki to Porvoo
The best season runs from late May to late August. The Porvoo guest harbour is open from 15 May to 30 September, and the ferry from Vuosaari to Kaunissaari usually runs from mid-May to mid-September, when the island's services are open too. Kaunissaari and Norrkullalandet get busy on July weekends, so a weekday or June is quieter. September brings empty waters, but check café and restaurant opening times on their own websites before you go.
FAQ
How long does it take to go from Helsinki to Porvoo by boat?
From Vuosaari to the Porvoo guest harbour is approx. 26 nm. At a relaxed pace, including the 10 km/h river section, allow 3–4 hours each way.
Does Kaunissaari have a guest harbour?
Yes. The harbour on the east side has 80 buoy and chain moorings that cannot be booked in advance. Day visits are free until 18:00.
Is Pirttisaari in Sipoo?
No, Pirttisaari belongs to Porvoo, although the ferry to the island leaves from Kalkkiranta in Sipoo and many boaters approach it from the Sipoo side.
Can I land on Söderskär with my own boat?
Not during the nesting season, when landing is prohibited. Check the signs and current information before planning a landing, or simply admire the lighthouse from the water.
Where can I stay overnight on the boat along the way?
Kaunissaari, Norrkullalandet and the Porvoo guest harbour all have paid overnight berths. Sandholmsudden in Pellinki and Hamari are best for short stops.
For the islands right off central Helsinki, read 5 perfect boat trips in the Helsinki archipelago, and for the western side of the capital region, see the Espoo archipelago by boat. Before you set off, use our packing list for a boat day trip.
