The archipelago boat season begins in May this year and will continue until mid-September
Espoo’s archipelago boat service runs to five different islands on five different routes. Archipelago boat service to Iso Vasikkasaari will open first, running on weekends starting on 17 May. The routes to Otaniemi and Kivenlahti and Pentala Archipelago Museum begin on 1 June and will run until 10 August. The archipelago boat route for cyclists runs during July.
Due to the growing interest in archipelago traffic, the Iso Vasikkasaari route has been extended this year and will continue to operate on weekends until 14 September.
Go to the archipelago and enjoy nature, recreational activities or culture
The recreational islands of Espoo offer an opportunity to experience the ever-changing atmosphere of the archipelago right here in your own home town. Archipelago boats serve the islands of Iso Vasikkasaari, Pentala, Gåsgrund, Rövaren and Stora Herrö. Possible destinations for boaters include Espoo’s Korkeasaari, Käärmesaari, Kaparen, Knäpperskär, Rövargrundet, Torra Lövö and Tvijälp.
Iso Vasikkasaari Island is located a short boat ride away and is a great spot for hiking or outdoor activities with children. For example, the island has a nine-hole disc golf course, fixed orienteering points, a swimming beach, beach volleyball court, observation tower, playground and cooking shelters. Some events are also organised on the island, such as the Espoo Archipelago Day in June.
You can experience different aspects of the archipelago on different islands. Gåsgrund’s terrain is smooth, ranging from roche moutonnée rock formations to lush meadows and dry heath forests. Stora Herrö, on the other hand, is a forested island with a rocky shoreline. Both islands are ideal for camping. Camping is also permitted on many of the other islands, but nature reserves may restrict camping on some islands or parts of them. Therefore, it is always a good idea to ensure that camping is permitted on the island in advance.
Pentala Island is an excellent destination for experiencing diverse nature and culture. A unique feature of Pentala is that there is a lake on the island. The nature trail starts in the museum area next to the archipelago boat pier and runs to the natural sand beach at Diksand and Lake Pentala. In the Archipelago Museum area, you can explore historical buildings and learn about what life was like for former residents of the island. There is an admission fee for the Gurli House home museum. Admission to all other buildings and exhibitions is free of charge.
See the timetables, operating days and price list for scheduled Espoo archipelago boat service.