The Islands of Gulf of Finland National Park

Hudö, off the coast of Loviisa, is the largest island in the park. Its area is 1.7 km², and the distance from the northwest corner to the southeast corner of the island is 3.4 km. Most of the island belongs to the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, but there are also private areas.

The island has very diverse nature. There are sandy beaches, rocky shores, meadows, groves, and pine forests. In the eastern part of the island, there is an old abandoned fishing farm, whose surroundings have been restored by volunteers into a traditional cultural landscape. Sheep graze in the area during the summer. Paths lead from the farm to the western and southeastern parts of the island, but they are partly overgrown.

There are no hiking facilities or marked trails on the island. Making fires and camping are prohibited, and drinking water is not available. There is no waste management on the island, so visitors must take their own trash away.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Laivasilta Guest Marina of the City of Loviisa, Laivasilta 8 A. The marina has 60 berths. The distance to Hudö is about 13 km.
Hudö coordinates Euref-Fin (~ WGS84): lat 60°20.8' N, lon 26°16.9' E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on Hudö.
• Landing with a small boat is possible on the sandy cape on the eastern side of the island, but caution is advised as there are large rocks near the cape. Landing is also possible on the sandy beach on the western side of the island.

Mustaviiri is a historically and naturally significant excursion island off the coast of Pyhtää. The island is about 800 m long and 700 m wide. For centuries, it belonged to the Ahvenkoski Manor, and its inhabitants engaged in fishing, seal hunting, and hay cultivation. The old fishermen’s meadow is now maintained through annual volunteer mowing events.

The stone labyrinth on Mustaviiri, known as a “jatulintarha,” has been classified as a nationally significant ancient monument. The labyrinth, built from stones, is about 10–12 meters wide.

The island also hosts one of the measurement points of the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The arc consists of 34 points used in the 19th century to measure the shape and size of the Earth, stretching from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea.

Mustaviiri features a 1.6 km nature trail where visitors can explore the island’s history, the stone labyrinth, the Struve Arc point, and its natural environment. Along the trail, there is also a nature observation tower offering magnificent sea views. The island has designated campfire sites, a camping area, and a toilet, but no drinking water. The well near the meadow’s campfire site does not provide potable water. There is no waste management on the island, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Laivasilta Guest Marina of the City of Loviisa, Laivasilta 8 A. The marina has 60 berths. The distance to Mustaviiri is about 32 km.
Coordinates of Mustaviiri (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°16.7' N, lon 26°36.5' E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island.
• A long breakwater on the northeastern shore of the island, opposite Kaiskeri Island, facilitates landing. Caution is advised, as the shores are rocky.

Pitkäviiri is a long and narrow ridge island in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, off the coast of Pyhtää. The island is known for its rugged nature, sandy beaches, tranquil atmosphere, and good fishing waters. Pitkäviiri is about 2.2 km long and at its widest only about 250 meters.

The island is starkly beautiful, offering experiences especially for those who value silence and open archipelago scenery. The shores alternate between rocky stretches and sandy beaches. In the northern part, there is even a dune area and a long sandbar that extends far underwater. All this makes the island a diverse natural destination. The sandy and dune areas host ecologically valuable species, such as wild thyme, which is important for many rare insect species.

There are no hiking facilities on the island, so making fires and camping are prohibited. However, the island is well suited for day trips. There are no marked trails, drinking water, or waste management, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Laivasilta Guest Marina of the City of Loviisa, Laivasilta 8 A. The marina has 60 berths. The distance to Pitkäviiri is about 33 km.
Coordinates of Pitkäviiri (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°17.3′ N, lon 26°37.9′ E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island, and the shores are rocky, making landing challenging.
• The eastern side of the island is mostly sandy beach.
• The best place to land with a large boat is the rock at the southern tip of the island. With a smaller boat, landing is also possible at the sandy cove on the northern shore.

Ristisaari is a lush and historically significant island in the outer archipelago of Pyhtää, about 2 nautical miles (just under 4 km) southeast of Kaunissaari. The island is almost square-shaped, with a distance of about 800 m from shore to shore.

Ristisaari is the only nationally valuable traditional biotope in the entire Kymenlaakso region. In summer, sheep graze on the island’s meadows and forest pastures, maintaining its traditional landscapes. The forests of Ristisaari are exceptionally rich, with groves covering up to a quarter of the island’s forest area. In the middle of the island lies a swamp. On the northern shore, there is an overgrown sandy beach, now part of the sheep pasture. The shallow and rocky northern shore is home to many birds (gulls, terns, waders, and waterfowl). Movement in this area should be avoided during the nesting season. The island’s fauna also includes several endangered insect species.

From the sandbank at the northwest corner of the island, you can see the ridge formation that also includes nearby Kaunissaari. This ridge extends into Ristisaari as well. The island’s shores are shallow and very rocky, offering magnificent views of the open sea in all directions.

Especially in spring, you can join numerous birdwatchers to witness the annual natural spectacle, when hundreds of thousands of waterfowl pass the island on their migration to Arctic breeding grounds over the course of a few weeks.

The area has had strategic importance in Finland’s coastal defense, particularly during World War II. In the southwest part of the island, there is a restored, unique wartime shelter for a searchlight. At that time, radar was only just being introduced, so enemy fleets and aircraft were spotted at night using powerful searchlights. During the day, the searchlight was always moved into a shelter made of logs and sand. The island’s wartime history is also reflected in the gun emplacements and bunker structures still present.

In the northwest corner of the island, there is a camping area, a cooking shelter, and a toilet. There is no drinking water or waste management on the island, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Kotka Yacht Store Marina of the City of Kotka, Meriniementie 1. The distance to Ristisaari is about 19 km.
Coordinates of Ristisaari (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°18.6' N, lon 26°48.1' E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island, and the shores are very rocky, making landing challenging. In addition, the island’s location alone in the open sea makes it exposed to winds.
• In calm weather, mooring rings attached to the rock at the northeast corner of the island can be used for landing. With good conditions, motorboats can also land at two rocks on the western side of the island.

Kilpisaari is a large, forested island in the outer archipelago of Kotka, on the edge of the open sea. It lies just over three nautical miles (about 6 km) east of Haapasaari. Kilpisaari is round in shape, with a diameter of a little over one kilometer.

From the highest cliff in the southeast corner, one can see Suursaari on the Russian side in good weather, as from many other islands located at the edge of the open sea.

The island’s nature is varied and diverse compared to the nearby smaller rocky and stony islands. The northern part has lusher vegetation. Along the shores grow old, twisted pines, while the interior of the island is mostly forested, though the trees are somewhat sparse in places.

The island’s wartime history is still visible in many locations: on the eastern shore are the remains of an old pier. From there, a faint track leads to the ruins at the southern end of the island, which are World War I gun emplacements with shelters for crew and ammunition. The island also contains many World War II structures, such as partly collapsed bunkers. One might even still find barbed wire along some shores, once used as landing obstacles during the war.

In the northeastern part of the island, there is a camping area, a campfire site, and a toilet. There is no drinking water or waste management on the island, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Kotka Yacht Store Marina of the City of Kotka, Meriniementie 1. The distance to Kilpisaari is about 30 km.
Coordinates of Kilpisaari (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°16.8' N, lon 27°18.9' E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island.
• The best landing place, with mooring rings, is on the high rocky shore of the eastern side, southeast of the remains of the old pier. This spot is sheltered from many winds.

Koivuluoto, located between Kilpisaari and Ulko-Tammio, is perhaps best known for its wilderness hut. Belonging to Hamina, this small half-square-kilometer island in the open sea is well suited for boaters seeking peace and quiet.

The nature of Koivuluoto is exceptionally diverse for its size. The island features sandy, rocky, and smooth bedrock shores. There are juniper thickets, pine stands, aspen groves, a small swamp, reed beds, and even a small pond cut off from the sea. Not to be forgotten are the ancient shoreline formations, the stone field known as pirunpelto, and the meadow surrounding the hut. The island also hosts a rich birdlife and offers fine views of the open sea, Russia’s Suursaari to the southwest, and Someri to the southeast. These islands were part of Finland before World War II.

The small huts at the northern tip of the island are fishermen’s storage sheds, known as kalaputki, which are not for visitors’ use. They reflect the fishing history of the Eastern Gulf of Finland; the park was an important area for both Finnish and Estonian fishermen. In earlier times, such sheds were hauled onto the ice in winter to provide shelter against storms and winds.

The large building is the Koivuluoto wilderness hut, a former rescue station of the Finnish Lifeboat Society. The hut has sleeping places for 8 people, a wood-burning stove, and both gas and wood cookers. Pets may be brought into the hut with the consent of other users. (Koivuluoto wilderness hut (luontoon.fi)

In the yard of the hut, there is a campfire site and a dry toilet. The island also has another campfire site. There is no drinking water point or waste management, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Kotka Yacht Store Marina of the City of Kotka, Meriniementie 1. The distance to Koivuluoto is about 31 km.
Coordinates of Koivuluoto (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°18.3' N, lon 27°24.1' E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island.
• The shores are rocky, and landing—especially with larger boats—can be difficult.
• At the northern–northeastern shore near the hut, a shallow beach has been cleared of stones, suitable for mooring with a stern anchor, but only for motorboats.
• On the eastern shore, there are mooring rings.

Ulko-Tammio is the jewel of the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, combining stunning archipelago nature with impressive wartime history. The island’s diverse nature and historical structures make it a unique destination. The island is about 1.3 km long and 600 m wide.

Many traces of the war years 1939–1944 can be found on Ulko-Tammio. Cannons, a memorial plaque for those who died in the Battle of Someri, a soldier’s grave, as well as a tunnel and other fortress remains tell of the time when Ulko-Tammio and its Finnish defenders safeguarded independence. By following the 4.2 km war history trail, visitors can explore these sites.

The island also has a nature trail of about 3 km, showcasing its rich biodiversity. The path leads through lush groves, lichen heaths, and smooth bedrock. Vegetation is varied: the island features glowing orange crustose lichens and rare species such as Norwegian frilly lichen. The fauna includes many rare birds.

Ulko-Tammio is the main visitor destination of the national park. Facilities include two cooking shelters, three campfire sites, a tent area, toilets, a wilderness hut, and a birdwatching tower. From the tower, there are magnificent views of the open sea, and in good weather Suursaari and Someri can be seen on the horizon.

The Ulko-Tammio wilderness hut is a former wartime observation hut and soldiers’ home. It has sleeping places for 6 people, a wood-burning stove, and both gas and wood cookers. Pets may be brought into the hut with the consent of other users. (Ulko-Tammio open wilderness hut (luontoon.fi)

There is no drinking water or waste management on the island, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Rampsi Guest Marina of the City of Hamina, Tullimakasiininranta 21. The distance to Ulko-Tammio is about 31 km.
Coordinates of Ulko-Tammio (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°21.0' N, lon 27°27.2' E

Access by boat

• Ulko-Tammio is the only island in the national park with piers.
• The island offers sheltered mooring places regardless of weather conditions.
• On the northwest shore, Länsilahti is 1–3 meters deep. The bay has both box and pontoon piers, allowing several boats to moor.
• On the eastern side, boats can be moored at the Itäsatama pier or anchored near the rocky shore in Saunalahti, though these are not suitable for keelboats. Keelboats can moor slightly further south at Kauniskallio.

Lanskeri is a forested and rocky island belonging to Hamina, divided into two parts: the southern section is higher and more difficult to traverse, while the northern section is easier to access. These are connected by the Lanskeri Isthmus, about 60 meters wide, consisting of low gravel terrain and coastal meadow. The island is narrow and long, measuring just under one kilometer in length and only about 250 meters at its widest point.

Lanskeri is surrounded by a group of small islets that serve as important nesting areas for many bird species—including the black guillemot, the emblem bird of the national park. Landing on these islets or disturbing them during the nesting season is prohibited to safeguard the birds’ peace. Nearby lies Metsä-Haru, a small and sensitive island where landing is completely forbidden year-round for conservation reasons.

On Lanskeri, there are a couple of campfire sites, a tent area, and a toilet located in the central part of the island. There are no marked trails, no drinking water, and no waste management, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Rampsi Guest Marina of the City of Hamina, Tullimakasiininranta 21. The distance to Lanskeri is about 28 km.
Coordinates of Lanskeri (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°23.0′ N, lon 27°30.5′ E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island.
• On both the eastern and western sides of the island, mooring rings fixed to the rocks are available for landing.

Suuri-Pisi is the easternmost excursion island of the national park, located off Virolahti. The island is about one kilometer long and 300–400 meters wide. It is a very popular destination for day trips, but also well suited for overnight stays. The border zone is only about one nautical mile away, and the mainland at Siikasaari’s tip is about 1.5 nautical miles distant.

The island has significant elevation differences, up to 10 meters. The terrain is mainly rocky and dominated by pine, but birch and spruce also grow there. In the northern part, there is an old burn area; the fire originated from an unauthorized campfire on the eastern shore. The northern tip features sandy beaches.

One of the island’s most notable sights is located on the northern shore cliffs: the monogram of King Gustav III of Sweden and the date 14 June 1777 carved into the rock. This monument commemorates the king’s entourage stopping on the island to seek shelter from rough seas during their journey to St. Petersburg.

At the northern end of the island, there is a cooking shelter, a camping area, and a toilet. There are no marked trails, no drinking water, and no waste management, so visitors must carry out their own trash.

Location

The nearest guest marina accessible by car is the Klamila Guest Marina, Kalasatamantie 153. The distance to Suuri-Pisi is about 18 km. Coordinates of Suuri-Pisi (Euref-Fin ~ WGS84): lat 60°27.0′ N, lon 27°37.9′ E

Access by boat

• There is no pier on the island.
• Good landing places for motorboats are found in the cove at the northern tip.
• Mooring rings are located at the northern cove, the northern cliffs, and the northeastern shore. The best mooring places for larger boats and keelboats are on the steep northeastern shore.