The Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre introduces visitors to nature on
the coast of the Bothnian Bay, the sandbanks of Kalajoki (Hiekkasärkät) and
their habitats, as well as traditional fishing culture.
Opening Hours in 2010
2.1. - 10.1.
Mon - Fri 9 am - 5 pm, Sat - Sun 10 am - 3
pm
11.1. - 27.2.
Tue -Fre 9 am - 5 pm, Sat - Sun 10 am - 3 pm
28.2. - 14.4.
Mon - Fri 9 am - 5 pm, Sat - Sun 10 am - 3 pm
At other times by appointment.
Entrance
There is no entrance fee. Groups should make reservations in advance. Themed
group tours are chargered.
Contact Information
Address: Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre, Jukupolku 5, 85100
Kalajoki, Finland
Tel int. +358 205 64
7007
E-mail: kalajoki
The Nature Centre is managed by Metsähallitus.
Directions
By Car
- Main road 8 from Kokkola to Oulu is located less than half a kilometre
from the Marine Nature Centre. Main road 27 coming from the direction of
Ylivieska goes near the centre of Kalajoki, from where the distance to the
Marine Nature Centre is 5 km along main road 8.
By Public Transportation
- There are more than a dozen express and regular buses operating daily
between Kokkola and Oulu along main road 8. Most of them also stop at
Hiekkasärkät. Buses from Ylivieska via Kalajoki to Kokkola and back always
stop at Hiekkasärkät. For more information on timetables, please visit
the Matkahuolto website
(www.matkahuolto.fi).
- The nearest railway station can be found in Ylivieska (45 km). For train
timetables, please go to
the VR website
(www.vr.fi).
- The nearest airports are located in Oulunsalo (135 km) and Kruunupyy (80
km). For timetables, please visit the Finavia website
(www.finavia.fi).
Services
- Information on the Rahja Archipelago and nature in Kalajoki and
the Perämeri National Park.
- Reference library.
- Group tours and presentations, groups should make reservations in advance.
- Information on other services in the Kalajoki area
(www.kalajokimatkailu.fi).
Events
We arrange a variety of exhibitions and other events.
"Sand"
-exhibition
On the third floor of the exhibition, there are booths where you can learn
about various themes by examining pictures, texts and web pages, playing games,
listening to recorded stories and watching multimedia presentations. The
exhibition also hosts objects related to fishing and other livelihoods. Read more of the "Sand" -exhibition
(www.meriluontokeskus.fi).
Auditorium and AV Presentations
The auditorium seats 72 persons. You can view nature films in the auditorium
free of charge if it has not been reserved for other purposes. Groups can make a
reservation for the auditorium in advance at the hotel reception (for a
fee).
Children’s Play Corner
For small visitors, there is a children’s play corner with soft toys and
games.
Nature Trails and Other Trails
The trails in the Hiekkasärkät area can be accessed from the stairs of the
Nature Centre.
The Särkkäin lankkupolku Trail is located in the shore
area of Hiekkasärkät. The length of the trail is 8 km, 1,2 km
of which is a wide duckboard trail. The trail extends to Keihäslahti Bay.
- Services: A Lapp pole tent, a bird observation tower and a campfire site
along the trail.
The Siiponjoen polku Trail starts at Tapion Tupa. The
length of the trail is 20 km. The trail goes through the
sandbanks of the Siiponjoki River valley.
- Services: A Lapp pole tent and two lean-to shelters along the
trail.
- In the Rahja archipelago, in a sheltered, shallow bay between Pappilankari
Rock and the mainland, is a Boat Nature Trail some 10
km long, which you can explore by rowboat or canoe.
- Services: Six information boards along the Boat Nature Trail.
Café and Restaurant
There is a café at Spahotel San. The nearest restaurant can be found at Spa
SaniFani, which you can access from the Nature Centre through a covered
passageway.
Services for School Groups
Material on nature in Kalajoki is available for school groups. For more
information, contact the Nature Centre.
Services for the Disabled
- The exhibition is also accessible by wheelchair. An elevator will take you
to all the three floors. The auditorium can also be accessed by wheelchair.
- There is a toilet for the disabled at the hotel.
- The spa and the restaurant can be accessed through a covered passageway.
- 1,2 km of the trails in the Hiekkasärkät area are 1,2-metre-wide duckboard
trails that are also accessible by wheelchair, pram or pushchair.
Read more about our
Customer Service Guarantee.
