Kotka, Hamina and Loviisa by boat: Eastern Gulf of Finland
A boat trip from Kotka starts right in the city centre: from Sapokka harbour you reach island sea fortresses in ten minutes and sandy beaches in about twenty. The Eastern Gulf of Finland is the wildest and most history-laden stretch of the Finnish coast, with 18th-century forts, working fishing villages and a national park of outer skerries. This guide gives six routes from Kotka, Hamina and Loviisa, from short family outings to a longer run out to Ulko-Tammio, plus the border-zone, shipping and bird-island rules you need to know here.
Where can you rent a boat in or near Kotka?
On Ship O'Hoi, private owners rent out their own boats all along this coast: see boats to rent in Kotka, boats in Hamina and boats in Loviisa. Each owner states in the listing what experience or certificate they expect from the person driving. Some owners can also come along as skipper, which is a good option if you want to reach the outer islands but don't know these waters.
6 boat trips in Kotka and the Eastern Gulf of Finland
A note on vocabulary: in Finland a vierasvenesatama is a guest harbour with berths for visiting boats, and a palvelusatama is a service harbour with facilities for visitors.
1. Sapokka, Varissaari and Kukouri: forts on the doorstep
Route: from Sapokka past Varissaari and Kukouri and back, approx. 3 nautical miles (nm), 30–60 minutes under way. Sapokka service marina sits on the southern shore of Kotka's inner city, in a bay protected by breakwaters, and it is also where the scheduled archipelago boats leave. On Varissaari are the ruins of Fort Elisabeth, which protected the Ruotsinsalmi fortress town about 200 years ago; a pavilion on the island displays finds from the wrecks of the naval battles fought here. The round Fort Slava on Kukouri was completed in 1794 and had 44 gun positions. In the city's Kantasatama harbour stands the wave-shaped Maritime Centre Vellamo, home of the Finnish Maritime Museum, where the icebreaker Tarmo is also on show in summer.
Tip: a connection vessel runs from Sapokka to Varissaari in ten minutes. We could not confirm visitor berths for private boats on the island, so if you want to go ashore, check with the island first or take the shuttle.
2. Lehmäsaari: a sandy beach day
Route: Sapokka to Lehmäsaari, approx. 5 nm, about 20 minutes by boat according to Visit Kotka-Hamina. There is currently no ferry, so most visitors come in their own boats. The best landing is the inlet on the east shore known as Lehmän monttu, which has piers. The east shore is almost one long sandy beach, and the island has three shelters with fire places, toilets and firewood, plus trails through pine forest.
Tip: bring rubbish bags and your own barbecue food. The sandy shores drop off steeply, which helps boats with a deeper draught, but still approach slowly.
3. Kaunissaari: fishing village and museum
Route: Sapokka to Kaunissaari in Pyhtää, approx. 9–10 nm, 30–45 minutes in an average motorboat. Kaunissaari has a service harbour, red waterfront cottages and boat sheds, narrow lanes, an archipelago museum by the harbour bay and long sandy beaches on the north and east shores. There is a café, a shop and a restaurant.
Tip: in summer a free connection vessel runs from Kuusinen harbour in Kotka, so the island can be busy on sunny days. Arrive before noon for an easier berth.
4. Haapasaari: an outer-archipelago village
Route: Sapokka to Haapasaari, approx. 13 nm, about 40 minutes in your own boat (two hours by connection vessel). Haapasaari is two islands joined by a sandy strip about 20 metres wide. A fishing village surrounds the natural harbour, and there is a service harbour and Finland's smallest private cooperative shop, trading since 1907. The church and school date from the 19th century.
Tip: this route runs along the edge of the open sea. Check the wind forecast for the whole day and keep a fuel reserve for the return, as conditions can change quickly.
5. Hamina to Ulko-Tammio: the national park island
Route: Hamina (Rampsi guest harbour) to Ulko-Tammio, approx. 16–18 nm, 1–2 hours depending on boat and weather. According to Metsähallitus, the park authority, Länsilahti bay on Ulko-Tammio is the only sheltered harbour in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park. The guest pier has 1–3 m of water, and there is a second guest pier in Itälahti. On the island you find a cooking shelter, a tent area, dry toilets, a bird tower, a history trail, a WWII shelter cave and two restored guns. The tower looks out over the park towards Suursaari.
Tip: the well water is not drinkable, so bring your own. Ulko-Tammio is only about 6 km from the Russian border, so read the border-zone section below before you set off.
6. Loviisa to Svartholma sea fortress
Route: Loviisa's Laivasilta guest harbour to Svartholma, approx. 5 nm, 20–30 minutes. Laivasilta lies at the head of Loviisa bay, and the fairway depth is 2.7 m. Svartholma sea fortress was completed in the mid-1700s as a sister fortress of Sveaborg (Suomenlinna) and surrendered to the Russians almost without a fight in 1808. Its walls and ramparts are well preserved. There is a free guest pier, a summer restaurant, a tent area, fire places and play areas for children.
Tip: overnight stays in the harbour are allowed, so Svartholma works well as a first night out.
| Route | Distance | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapokka – Varissaari – Kukouri | approx. 3 nm | 30–60 min | Fort Elisabeth and Fort Slava | Everyone, short trip |
| Sapokka – Lehmäsaari | approx. 5 nm | 20 min each way | Sandy beach and shelters | Families |
| Sapokka – Kaunissaari | approx. 9–10 nm | 30–45 min | Fishing village and museum | Day trip |
| Sapokka – Haapasaari | approx. 13 nm | approx. 40 min | Outer-archipelago village | More experienced boaters |
| Hamina – Ulko-Tammio | approx. 16–18 nm | 1–2 h | National park, bird tower | Experienced, settled weather |
| Loviisa – Svartholma | approx. 5 nm | 20–30 min | Sea fortress | Everyone |
Distances are estimates from the map. Always navigate with a nautical chart or chart app and keep to marked fairways.
Rules and safety in Kotka and the Eastern Gulf of Finland
- Border zone. There is a border zone in the Eastern Gulf of Finland, and the Border Guard's Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District covers the sea areas of Hamina, Kotka and Virolahti. You need a border zone permit to move or stay in the border zone. Check the extent of the zone with the Border Guard before heading east of Hamina.
- National park. Some islands in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park have a landing ban during the nesting season from April to July, and some all year. Movement is also restricted in military protected areas. Camp only at designated sites, light fires only at maintained fire places and keep pets on a leash. Current restricted parts are listed on the park's rules page.
- Shipping lanes. HaminaKotka is Finland's largest general port, served by a 15-metre fairway. Under Traficom's give-way rules, a boat, sailing boats included, must keep out of the way of a ship restricted by its draught in a narrow fairway.
- Everyman's rights. You may boat, swim and stay temporarily on shores, but you may not disturb people's home privacy, walk through yards, light an open fire on someone else's land or disturb birds' nests. In national parks these rights do not apply as such.
- Toilet waste. Discharging toilet waste from a boat into the water is prohibited in Finnish waters (Merenkulun ympäristönsuojelulaki 1672/2009). Sapokka and the Hamina guest harbour both have septic pump-out.
- Licence and age. Finland has no compulsory boat licence for leisure boats up to 24 m, but 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. Owners may ask about your experience. More in boat licence rules in Finland.
- Alcohol. According to Traficom, the drink-driving limit on the water is 1.0 per mille.
- Emergencies. Call 112; sea rescue 0294 1000.
Best time for a boat trip in Kotka
The main season runs from June to the end of August. Loviisa's guest harbour, for example, is staffed daily from 1 June to 31 August and by agreement from May until the ice comes. Check other harbours' and connection vessels' seasons on their own sites. Late May belongs to birdwatchers, when the Arctic migration passes over the national park, but by then some islands already have their nesting-season landing bans. From August the bird restrictions have ended and more of the outer skerries are open again.
FAQ
Can I take my own boat to Varissaari?
The sure way to Varissaari is the connection vessel from Sapokka. We found no official information on guest berths for private boats, so check with the island before you go.
Do I need a border zone permit for Ulko-Tammio?
Ulko-Tammio is a national park island that cruises and water taxis also visit, but it lies close to the border. Check the extent of the border zone with the Border Guard before leaving, and apply for a permit if your route enters the zone.
Where can I spend the night on board?
Kotka's Sapokka, Hamina's Rampsi and Loviisa's Laivasilta have guest berths; Svartholma and Ulko-Tammio have simple harbours in nature.
Which route is best for children?
Lehmäsaari or Svartholma: a short run, a sandy beach or a fortress, and piers to land at.
Is the water safe for small boats?
Close to Kotka the islands give shelter, but Haapasaari and Ulko-Tammio lie on the open sea. Pick settled weather for the outer routes or ask an owner who can skipper.
More boat trips nearby
Carry on west with Helsinki to Porvoo by boat or see 5 perfect boat trips in Helsinki's archipelago. Before you go, run through the packing list for a boat day trip.
