What does Kaunissaari offer?
Kaunissaari is located in the archipelago of Sipoo, almost on the outer sea, about 50–60 minutes from the mainland.
Waterway transport connections
During the summer season, there is a water transport connection to Kaunissaari from the Aurinkolahti pier in Vuosaari (Aurinkoranta 7). Tickets are sold by operator FRS Finland. https://www.frs-finland.fi/kaunissaari/(Link leads to external service)
Guest harbour
The Kaunissaari guest harbour is located on the east side of the island, in a sheltered marina. The depth of the marina is 1.9 metres, and it has 80 berths. Free of charge for day visitors.
The septic tank draining device is located near the waterway transport pier.
Other berthing and mooring points
The island has a free dock for day visitors.
Kaunissaari dock, location on map(Link leads to external service)
Kaunissaari has a good trail network, which makes it easy to get around the island.
Kaunissaari nature trail
Kaunissaari has a nature trail of about 4 km, which is marked on the terrain with numbered poles. The poles are located on the terrain so that the text of the nature trail brochure is related to the landscape – even if hawks or seals are not actually visible, they can at least be imagined. In addition to nature, the nature trail tells a lot about the island’s history.
Kaunissaari nature trail map (in Finnish, Pdf, inaccessible)
Kaunissaari nature trail, location on map (Link leads to external service)
Cooking shelters and fire places
The island has six cooking shelters with firewood ready and drinking water points. Making an open fire elsewhere on the island is forbidden.
Kaunissaari cooking shelters, location on map (Link leads to external service)
Toilets
The island has 7 toilets and 4 beach showers.
Guide Map (Pdf, inaccessible)
Kaunissaari Restaurant
Kaunissaari Restaurant is located about 200 metres from the dock and about 500 metres from the guest harbour.
Kaunissaari Restaurant (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Public beach
Kaunissaari public beach has no lifeguard. There is a changing room on the beach.
Accommodation
Camping and sleeping in a hammock are allowed in the camping areas marked on the map.
Kaunissaari camping, location on map(Link leads to external service)
Kaunissaari has seven cottages that can be booked. Weekly reservation starts on Monday at 1 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 12 noon.
Kaunissaari cottages in Varaamo(Link leads to external service)
In addition, there are 3 wooden tents on the island that can be booked 30€ / day.
Kaunissaari wooden tents in Varaamo(Link leads to external service)
Saunas
Kaunissaari has two saunas, which are rented by Kaunissaari Restaurant(Link leads to external service).
In the summer, there is a public sauna two times per week.
History and nature trail
Kaunissaari nature trail (Link leads to external service)is special as it tells about the island’s history, in addition to nature. The trail could also be called the Kaunissaari nature and history trail. The life of the fishermen who lived on the island is fascinating to us because it feels so distant: sealing on ice, trading across the Gulf of Finland, fishing for herring… The aim of the Kaunissaari nature trail is to provide information and stories about the beautiful island. The trail makes references to shipwrecks, smuggling and even the Finnish civil war in 1918.
Kaunissaari has a good trail network, which makes it easy to get around the island. Kaunissaari is characterised by open shore areas and beaches, handsome cliffs and spruce forests. The trail around Kaunissaari takes you through a variety of habitats. Eiders, otters and seals can be seen on the seaside, and even moose have been seen on the island. Rare meadow plants grow in the courtyard of the island’s main building and restaurant, so please avoid trampling vegetation when moving around the area.
Kaunissaari also has protected seaside meadows, and moving in these areas and trampling vegetation should be avoided. The coastal meadows of Kaunissaari are also home to the endangered and protected field restharrow.
The nesting season of birds in the archipelago is at its most active from April to the end of June. On the Kaunissaari trails and shores, respect the nesting peace and maintain a sufficient distance to birds.
Species observations in Kaunissaari
The iNaturalist application allows you to easily record your species observations on your phone. The artificial intelligence and other application users can help you to identify the species. The confirmed observations are recorded at the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF), where they serve researchers, authorities and nature enthusiasts.
Species observations in Kaunissaari (inaturalist.laji.fi) (Link leads to external service)
Species observations in Kaunissaari (laji.fi) (Link leads to external service)
Please observe the following rules on Kaunissaari
- Please note that camping is allowed only in the camping areas marked on the map and making a fire is allowed only in the cooking shelters marked on the map.
- Collecting wood from nature is not an everyman’s right.
- Please respect the island’s nature, animals and the peace of other visitors.
- Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Also keep a safe distance to birds and other animals.
- Please stick to the trails and paths marked on the map to prevent erosion.
- Remember to sort your rubbish on the island or take it to the mainland to be recycled.
General rules
In all outdoor recreation areas, observe everyman’s rights and rules and move responsibly in nature:
Accessibility information for Kaunissaari’s services is still incomplete.
Links to accessibility information will be available here when the analysis is completed.
