Örö Voyage Tips and guide

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Örö is in a large island in the Archipelago Sea National Park in Finland. It is quite easily reachable – a one-hour ferry trip from Kasnäs in Kimitoön through the inner archipelago – but still more or less by the open sea, and its sandy shores and meadows provide biotopes seldom found in the rest of Finland. The landscapes are nice and there are smooth cliffs and beaches with fine sand. Many of the visitors also come for the military history.

While most services in Finnish national parks are handled by Metsähallitus, in Örö they are left to private partners. Seeing the sights and walking around are still free also on Örö, and camping with a tent is cheap.

	Note: The entrepreneur has changed; the information below might be outdated.

The island used to be a commons pasture for the villages of Hitis-Rosala. There were huts used as a base for fishing expeditions and other overnight stays. The sheltered waters were also used as temporary anchorages for naval vessels.

This changed when the Russians built a fort on the island 1910–1915, as part of the "Peter the Great" chain of fortifications defending the Gulf of Finland and thereby Saint Petersburg (similar forts where built at Russarö and Utö, and in Estonia). When Finland became independent in 1917 it became part of the Finnish defence and construction works continued.

The fort was modernized in the 1930s. In the Continuation War 1941–1944 the Soviet marine base in Hanko (leased as part of the Winter War peace treaty of 1940) was within range for the heavy batteries. Örö also provided supporting fire in the battle of Bengtskär.

The coastal forts, and their artillery, long had an important role in Finnish coastal defence, but finally they were decommissioned. The island still remained a military area, used for training and supervision, until 2015, when it became part of the national park and opened for tourism. A few houses have been rented for year-round living, attracting mainly artists and authors. Some military installations are still in use and off limits for visitors.

Being off limits for the public and used for military purposes has protected many otherwise threatened natural features. As a former training area for conscripts, it also has nostalgic value.

The large island (200 ha, 1.5 km·3 km), surrounded by smooth cliffs, is a mostly forested sandy reef with low bedrock hills. The most precious habitats on Örö are the scorched heathlands and the sandy beaches.

As the climate is a bit milder than in southern Finland in general, and the island has been used for military purposes rather than farming or construction, a couple of plants can be found here that are hardly to be found elsewhere in Finland like pasqueflower, prickly saltwort and beach grasses.

There are also a large number of butterflies and birds; during spring and fall Örö is a great birdwatching destination, as the island is on a major route for migrant birds.

Facing the Baltic Sea, the climate is humid continental.

The only way in is by boat, unless you are permitted to use the former military helicopter field – or use a seaplane.

Scheduled ferries are available from Kasnäs in the south-west end of Kimitoön. As of 2025, there is a daily ferry by Wilson Charter, leaving about 10:30 in the morning, and returning around 16:00. Check the exact schedule for the day on their website. Finferries also operates a service from Kasnäs; once-weekly in the summer season when the Wilson service runs, three weekly sailings out of season when this is the only scheduled connection. The latter has space for cars, but visitors aren't allowed to bring their car (it's for the company running the services on Örö). Thus, if you're driving to Kasnäs, park the car in the parking lot in the harbour. All ferries have to be booked ahead.

Sailing your own craft would give you more options for schedules and destinations. Taxi boats are also available, and there might be tours with a chartered boat with their own schedule.

There are few buses to Kasnäs, and they do not necessarily combine with the Örö ferries. Connections to Dalsbruk are better, with a few services a day, e.g. from Turku (1¾ hours, €18.70), Salo (1½ hours, €15) or Helsinki (3 hours, €36). Take a taxi (or your bike) from Dalsbruk, 20 km (€34–50).

With private vessels the guest harbour, where also the ferry quay is situated, is the only allowed entry point, unless the harbour master assigns other moorings (as sometimes in peak season). If you arrive by canoe or kayak, there is also a landing spot on the south shore, near the camping site. Anchoring is forbidden (there are lots of unmarked cables).

• 59.810522.33581 Guest harbour (2.4-m fairway from the north, via the 9-m Utö–Hanko fairway, forking off north of Rosala), ☏ +358 40-144-7769, [email protected]. Year round (if you don't mind ice in winter); call harbour master for visiting off season. Facilities include septic tank emptying, toilet, water, washing facilities, café and sauna. Mooring between booms, side berthing for bigger vessels. Open for north-easterly winds. Nautical chart 644, chart series B (Western Gulf of Finland). Harbour draught 3.0 m. (updated Jun 2023)

A cruise ship (Silver Wind, 117 tourists) visited Örö in June 2023 on its Baltic itinerary. Such visits may become recurring events. The 9-m fairway is 10 km away.

There are no entry fees, but you need to pay for transport or mooring. There are non-free services such as lodging, bike rental, guiding, a restaurant and a café.

Anchoring is forbidden (there are several uncharted cables). Landing is allowed only at the guest harbour or as instructed by the harbour master.

Scuba diving is forbidden, except with special permits.

Minor areas are still used by the military and off limits.

Butterfly traps and other research equipment are to be left alone.

The sandy beaches and some other features are sensitive. Avoid causing damage.

There is livestock on the island. Do not feed or disturb. Do not disturb wildlife either. Dogs must be kept on leash everywhere and are not allowed in the pastures.

There are old cobbled roads providing easy access across the island, and some trails showing batteries, barracks and nature. Deviating from roads and trails is allowed, but should be avoided. All important sights can be accessed by the trails.

There are bikes for rent (use on roads only): €8 half day, €16 whole day. Using motorized vehicles is not allowed (but you can get your luggage transported to your accommodation).

Kayaks for rent, €25.

The harbour is near the east end of the island, 0.5 km from the restaurant. The 12" battery and most lodgings are near the restaurant. The camping site is a further 0.5 km from the harbour, as are some lodgings. The beach is near the southern tip, 1–1.5 km (depending on route) from the camping site.

• 59.8071822.338931 12" batteries. The heavy 12-inch (30-cm) Obuhov cannons had a range of 45 km. The impressive pieces have barrels weighting 50 tonnes, which would be replaced after a certain amount of firing. Two cannons out of the original four remain here, the other two were transferred to the archipelago outside Vyborg in the 1930s (which was back then part of Finland) and as such they were effectively returned to Russia when WWII was over. If climbing up the cannon which is further east (halfway on the road between the harbour and hotel), you can see the Bengtskär lighthouse in clear weather. (updated Jun 2016)
• Other fortifications and infrastructure.
• The landscapes.
• Archipelago woods.
• Sunny meadows.
• Sand and gravel beaches.
• Flora and fauna, especially butterflies and dragonflies.

• For swimming, use the designated beach.
• Sauna available, both private saunas (€35–60/50 min) and turns in shared gender-separated saunas.
• Guided tours, daily in Finnish in season, but private guiding in at least English and Swedish is available on request and can be tailored to your interests.
• Games, such as mölkky and krocket for rent by the restaurant.
• Sea kayaking around the island and in the nearby archipelago.

• 59.8103922.337251 Shop in the info point. The shop in the info point has some Örö-themed souvenirs (think caps, shirts, mugs…), Moomin themed ones, and some snacks and supplies. As of May 2025 not all prices were displayed, and for instance two packaged ice cream cones costed €9.50 (but remember, the price includes transporting them out here, keeping them cold all the time). (updated Jun 2025)

• 59.807122.33621 12" restaurant, ☏ +358 45-613-3940, [email protected]. Breakfast 08:00–10:00 lunch 12:00–14:00, dinner 17:30–; September–May by agreement. The restaurant is the former garrison's canteen, built in the Russian pre-World War I times. Breakfast €16, lunch €19. (updated May 2023)

• 59.8106122.336932 Rantabistro. Mid-June to August daily, generally 11:00–21:00. The other restaurant is right in the harbour, housed in a building from 1912 but with a large outdoor seating. (updated Jun 2025)
• The apartments and cottages have kitchens.
• Barbecue in the harbour.
• Using portable stoves is allowed, disposable grills and open fire are prohibited.

Accommodation in the barracks, in cottages (private or shared), at a campsite or in your yacht in the guest harbour. Luggage transport included, except for the campsite.

There are several options for lodging: rooms, apartments, cottages, guesthouse, dormitory. Most are available all year. Linen included. Check-in by 16:00, checkout by 12:00.

• 59.806722.33591 Hotel (in former barracks building by the main battery). Two classes of twin rooms (15 and 23 m² respectively; the more spacious with optional extra bed), one of each can be combined. Breakfast in the 12" restaurant included. Starting from €145 and €155. (updated Jun 2023)
• Hostel bed. Bunk bed in shared room. Shared kitchen. From €40. (updated Jun 2023)
• Hostel room. Twin beds plus bunk bed. Shared living room. From €50/person. (updated Jun 2023)
• Cottages (different locations, further inland from the restaurant). Cottages for 2–8 persons, different kinds. One ("ideal for couples") has its own sauna. From €250–300, consecutive nights -50%. (updated Jun 2023)

• 59.808522.32752 Campsite. Camping is allowed at the primitive campsite in sparse forest (there is a separate area for groups). Water, outhouse toilets. Access to the shared showers and saunas (at a distance). No campfires. No reservations. €5/person/3 nights. (updated Jun 2023)

Backcountry camping is not allowed.

Old defence structures, such as trenches and foxholes, are sometimes well hidden. Watch your step.

Although the island has been cleared from dangerous military materials, there may be individual pieces left. Do not touch things you might find.

By scheduled ferries, your only option is back to Kasnäs. Tour boats may take you to other destinations like Rosala or Bengtskär. If sailing your own craft, check out the Hanko to Uusikaupunki by boat itinerary for suggestions of places to go next, or if you have a suitable vessel you can head out on the Baltic Sea.