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Water transport

Water transport, foto: City of Helsinki

Several traffic contractors offer ferry rides as a possibility to visit the islands of Helsinki. The ferry routes and schedules and the fares vary according to the traffic contractor. Suomenlinna can be accessed only with a HSL ticket for public transport in the metropolitan area.

Harakka - Merisatama
The naturally diverse island of Harakka is located off Kaivopuisto. Harakka has a nature centre, which is maintained by the City of Helsinki Environment Centre. It is not allowed to bring dogs to Harakka. Merenkävijät's ferry goes to Harakka from the Ullanlinna pier, in front of Café Ursula.

Kaunissaari - Vuosaari
Kaunissaari is located in the Sipoo archipelago, close to the open seas and within an approximate 40-minute sea voyage from Helsinki. On the island, there is a city-maintained recreational park, which is great for fishing, camping and hiking. The NorsöLine ferry goes to Kaunissaari from Vuosaari Kalkkihiekantori at the end of Kalkkihiekantie

Korkeasaari – Market Square or Hakaniemi
On Korkeasaari, there is a zoo maintained by the City. The Suomen Saaristokuljetus goes to Korkeasaari from the Market Square pier and the Hakaniemi Market Square pier.

Liuskasaari - Merisatama
Liuskasaari is located in front of Merisatama (Sea Harbour). Helsingfors Segelsällskap rf (HSS) has had a small boat harbour on the island and ferry service since 1893. The HSS’s clubhouse has a summer restaurant which is decorated with sea inspired artwork by Björn Landström and Mikael Schilkin.

Lonna - Market Square
The small island is 150 metres long and belongs to the Suomenlinna neighbourhood. It is located between the Market Square and Suomenlinna. The distance from the mainland is just 1.5 kilometres, the trip takes seven minutes with the ferry connection. You can board the ferry from the Market Square at the JT-Line dock.

Mustasaari - Taivallahti
The Mustasaari recreational park is located in the western part of Seurasaarenselkä. The island is owned by the Helsinki Parish Union. On the island, the Parish Union manages a leisure centre, where events such as day camps are arranged for the parishioners during summer.

Pihlajasaari - Ruoholahti or Merisatama
The Pihlajasaari recreational park is located on Lauttasaarenselkä. It is the most popular recreational island of the citizens of Helsinki. The island has a restaurant, a rental sauna, a kiosk, barbeque shelters and a naturist beach. The wide sand and rock beaches of the island and the roads around the island offer great recreational possibilities. Dogs are not allowed on Pihlajasaari.

Hakaniemi - Herttoniemi - Laajasalo - Vartiosaari - Satamasaari - Iiluoto - Vuosaari
Satamasaari and Iiluoto are part of the eastern archipelago of Helsinki. They are owned by the City of Helsinki.

Sirpalesaari - Merisatama
Sirpalesaari is located in front of Merisatama. The island has been the club harbour of Suomalainen Pursiseura (SPS) since 1963. The harbour offers services both to its members and to guest yachters.  Saari, the summer restaurant, is also located on the island.  


Suomenlinna - The Market Square or Katajanokka
The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress was built about 250 years ago on islands off Helsinki. During the summer, people visit Suomenlinna to freshen up, sunbathe and swim. There are also a number of museums in the historical area. The fortress was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. The Suomenlinna ferry traffic is part of the public transport arranged by the Helsinki Region Transport (HSL).

Särkkä - Ullanlinna pier next to Café Ursula
The island of Särkkä is located off Kaivopuisto. The island is the base of the Merenkävijät yacht club. The island’s restaurant Särkänlinna is managed by Palace Hotel.

Uunisaari - Merisatamantori
Uunisaari islands (northern and eastern) are located off Kaivopuisto. The islands are perfect for sunbathing and swimming. There is a restaurant on northern Uunisaari. Uunisaari also has a beach, which is maintained by Helsingfors simsällskap rf.
 

Valkosaari - South Harbour
Valkosaari is located in the South Harbour off the Olympic terminal. On the island, there is the home harbour of Nyländska Jaktklubben rf (NJK) and a yacht club restaurant. Nyländska Jaktklubben rf’s ferry picks you up from the shore when the white signal is raised.

Hakaniemi - Laajasalo - Vartiosaari - Satamasaari - Iiluoto - Vuosaari
Vartiosaari is located in eastern Helsinki, off Laajasalo and Tammisalo. Vartiosaari has a nature path, which was awarded in 2002.



22.11.2020 15:09

Map of recreation islands in Helsinki (PDF)

In islands

Helsinki has a variety of recreational parks around the city and by the sea. The Helsinki Sports Services manages beautiful islands and seaside recreational areas near the city or in neighbouring municipalities.