Turku archipelago by boat: 5 routes from Turku to Korppoo
In Turku you can step aboard in the city centre and be among islands within half an hour. From the Aura river you pass Ruissalo into the open water of Airisto, then on to Naantali's Old Town or to Parainen. Further out lie Nauvo (Nagu), the historic island of Seili and Korppoo (Korpo), where the outer archipelago begins. A loop round Ruissalo takes an evening; a full day gets you to Nauvo and back. Below are five routes with harbours, speed limits and bird-protection dates.
Where can you rent a boat in or near Turku?
In and around Turku, private owners rent out their own motorboats, daycruisers, RIBs and sailboats, usually by the day. Browse boats for rent in Turku, boat rental in Naantali and boats in Parainen. Each owner states in the listing what experience or certificate they require, and some owners can come along as skipper if you would rather enjoy the view.
5 boat trips in the Turku archipelago
Distances below are rough estimates from Väylävirasto (Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency) fairway data, not navigation instructions. Always use a chart or a chart app. Many of the inner waters have speed limits, so the times are generous.
1. The Aura river and Ruissalo
Start at Turku guest harbour on the bank of the Aura river (Läntinen Rantakatu) in the city centre. A "vierasvenesatama" is a guest harbour: a marina with berths for visiting boats, usually with electricity, water, showers and sauna. Head downriver past the port and follow the Rajakari–Turku fairway along the south side of Ruissalo to Saaronniemi at the island's western tip, approx. 6 nautical miles. Saaronniemi is Ruissalo's best-known beach, and the whole island is a protected area where you stay on the marked trails. The round trip takes 2–3 hours at an easy pace. Tip: the port area has a wake ban and an 11 km/h limit, and the fairway south of Ruissalo has a 16 km/h limit, so even the river stretch takes a while.
2. Turku to Naantali, past Kultaranta
After Saaronniemi you turn north onto the fairway to Naantali. From Turku guest harbour to Naantali it is approx. 9–10 nautical miles, a little over an hour each way. On the final stretch you see Kultaranta from the water: the granite summer residence of the President of Finland, completed in 1915, on a headland of Luonnonmaa island. Between Kultaranta and the Ukko-Pekka bridge there is a 10 km/h limit and a wake ban, and movement restrictions apply at Kultaranta itself, so stay on the fairway as you pass. Naantali guest harbour, by the Old Town, has 180 guest berths, and the SeaPoint station there offers fuel and septic pump-out. Tip: at weekends in June and daily from July to mid-August a follow-me boat guides you to a free berth.
3. Across Airisto to Parainen
Airisto is the big open stretch of the Turku archipelago. At Rajakari, at its northern end, the fairway from the Port of Turku joins the deep main fairway to Naantali. From Turku to Parainen (Pargas) guest harbour via Airisto is approx. 14 nautical miles, 1.5–2 hours. The harbour is right in the centre of Parainen, 1.7–4 m deep, with fuel, sauna and showers. Tip: Kirkkosalmi has a 10 km/h limit, and on Airisto look behind you before crossing the fairway, because the Stockholm ferries and cargo ships to Turku and Naantali use this route.
4. Nauvo to Seili
Nauvo guest harbour (Nagu Hamn) is described as the largest and most popular guest harbour in the Archipelago Sea, and its new pier has 125 berths. From Turku to Nauvo via Airisto is approx. 18 nautical miles. From Nauvo, Seili is only approx. 3–4 nautical miles away. The island once housed a leper hospital and later a mental hospital; today the University of Turku runs its Archipelago Research Institute there. Day visitors can moor free of charge at the Post or Church jetty; boats staying overnight use the Station jetty and pay a harbour fee. There is a restaurant and café in the main building. Tip: camping and open fires, including barbecues, are not allowed anywhere on Seili.
5. Nauvo to Korppoo
From the north side of Nauvo you head west to Korppoo, approx. 11–12 nautical miles and a little over an hour. Verkan guest harbour has 60 berths, fuel and a sauna, and restaurant Buffalo is in the harbour. Korpoström guest harbour, open from early June to the end of August, takes around 70 boats and has restaurant Sunnan and a 24-hour fuel station. Korpoström is also a gateway to the Archipelago Sea National Park, which we cover in a separate guide. Tip: there is a 10 km/h limit off Verkan and a 15 km/h limit with a wake ban in Korpoström's Norrsund.
| Route | Distance | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura river–Ruissalo | approx. 6 nm each way | 2–3 h return | River harbour, Saaronniemi beach | Evening trip, beginners |
| Turku–Naantali | approx. 9–10 nm | 1–1.5 h each way | Kultaranta from the water, Old Town | Family day trip |
| Turku–Parainen | approx. 14 nm | 1.5–2 h each way | Open water of Airisto | More experienced drivers |
| Nauvo–Seili | approx. 3–4 nm | 20–30 min | Seili's history and nature | Everyone |
| Nauvo–Korppoo | approx. 11–12 nm | approx. 1 h | Verkan, Korpoström | Long day or overnight |
Rules and safety in the Turku archipelago
- Speed limits and wake bans. Traficom (the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) decides water-traffic restrictions, and the areas are shown in Väylävirasto's map service. Examples: the Turku port area has an 11 km/h limit and a wake ban, Saaronniemi 11 km/h, Kyrkviken in Nauvo 10 km/h and Kirkkosalmi in Parainen 10 km/h. More on Traficom's page on water-traffic restrictions.
- Big ships. Ships to the ports of Turku and Naantali pass through Airisto, including the Viking Line and Tallink Silja ferries that leave Turku for Stockholm every day. Traficom's rules say a boat must give way in a narrow fairway to a ship restricted by its draught, and a ship cannot swerve or stop quickly.
- Car ferries. The Parainen–Nauvo ferry crosses its strait in about 10 minutes and the Nauvo–Korppoo ferry in about 5. Keep clear of their routes.
- Seili bird islets. In the Seili archipelago nature reserve, landing, moving about and flying drones are banned from 1 April to 31 July on Matinkari, Lilla and Stora Äggskär, Lehmäsaaren luoto and nearby skerries. Around Orisgrunden you may not go closer than 100 m to the shore in the same period. See the Metsähallitus rules for the Seili reserve (in Finnish).
- National park. In the Archipelago Sea National Park several groups of islets have a landing ban from 1 April to 31 July, and camping is only allowed at designated sites.
- Everyman's right (jokamiehenoikeus). You may boat, swim and stop temporarily, but you must not disturb people's home peace, walk across private yards or light an open fire on someone else's land.
- Toilet waste. Discharging toilet waste water from a boat is prohibited in Finnish waters; use the pump-out stations in the harbours.
- Age, licence and alcohol. See boat licence rules in Finland: 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, which is what Traficom recommends. The legal limit for drunkenness on the water is 1 per mille. The maritime rescue number is 0294 1000.
Best time for a boat trip in the Turku archipelago
June to August is the main season, when guest harbour services are running. Seili's harbour services operate at weekends in May and September and daily from June to August, and Korpoström is open from early June to the end of August. If you go out in spring, remember that the bird-islet bans run from 1 April to the end of July. Check the harbours' own websites for the current opening dates.
FAQ
What are the best islands in the Turku archipelago to visit by boat?
For a day trip, Ruissalo and Naantali; for history, Seili; for a longer trip, Nauvo and Korppoo. The outer islands of the national park are best on a trip of several days.
Where is Nauvo guest harbour and is it easy to reach?
It is on the waterfront of Nauvo village. The bay has a 10 km/h limit and a wake ban, and you can book a berth in advance via satamapaikka.com.
Can I visit Seili on a day trip by boat?
Yes. The Post and Church jetties are free for day visitors. If you stay the night, moor at the Station jetty.
How long does it take from Turku to Naantali by boat?
Approx. 9–10 nautical miles, usually a little over an hour each way because of the speed limits.
Do I need to watch out for ships on Airisto?
Yes. Cross the fairway quickly and at a right angle, and never stay in front of a ship. Large ships cannot take evasive action.
For more of Finland's island regions, read the best archipelagos in Finland for boaters. The outer archipelago and national park are covered in Kimitoön archipelago and national park by boat, and if you are heading east, see Hanko and Raasepori archipelago by boat.
