Bodö by boat – an old coastguard station in the outer archipelago
Bodö is an island in the heart of the Archipelago National Park, where a former coastguard station has been turned into a family-run guest harbour with a BistroCafé, saunas and accommodation. Boaters come especially for the good food, the sheltered harbour, things for children to do and the atmospheric raft sauna. The harbour has been chosen as Guest Harbour of the Year three times. The journey is long and goes out into the outer archipelago, so set aside a full day for the trip and only go in good weather.
Details checked against sources in October 2026.
Services on site
- Guest jetty
- Electricity
- Toilet
- Sauna
- Restaurant
- Café
- Shop
- Nature trail
- Waste disposal
- No fuel
Many services are only open in the summer season, so check opening hours on the destination's website.
Why go to Bodö?
According to the harbour, boaters come to Bodö above all for four reasons: the BistroCafé's homemade food, the sheltered harbour, things for children to do and the relaxing, atmospheric wood-heated raft sauna.
Bodö's green main building was completed in 1967 and served as a coastguard station until 1991. The tower, still visible as a landmark, is a reminder of the station. The building stood empty for about 25 years until, in summer 2016, a café-restaurant and a guest jetty were opened there. The services have since been expanded.
The harbour lies east of the fairway through the strait between Bodö and Bergholm, on the north shore of a sheltered bay. The family-run harbour has been chosen as Guest Harbour of the Year three times, and it takes part in the Roope harbour scheme: the harbour has a dishwashing point, and biowaste can be sorted into its own bins.
Who is this trip for?
The trip suits an experienced skipper and a group who want to spend a full day on the water and combine a long crossing with good food, a sauna and a walk in archipelago nature.
Bodö also suits families with children: there is a children's menu, at the start of the nature trail there is an activity and adventure trail introducing the island's inhabitants, the 'buudings', and children get a welcome juice at the harbour.
Route to Bodö
Hovirinta → Bodö
- Distance / one way
- 42 nm
- Travel time / one way
- approx. 1 h 50 min
- Fuel / one way
- approx. 31 l
- Fuel / round trip
- approx. 63 l
The fuel estimate is based on a consumption of 0.75 l/nm. Actual consumption depends on the weather, load and driving style.
Bodö is one of our more distant destinations, and the route goes out into the outer archipelago. Check the weather and wind forecast for the whole day, allow plenty of time for the return trip and plan your fuel and refuelling in advance.
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Travel times are estimates without stops and depend on the conditions. The round-trip fuel estimate assumes you return the same way. Also allow time for the destination itself and for the boat handover and safety briefing of approx. 30 minutes at the start of the rental.
Wind forecast: Bodö
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Suggested plan for the day
This is a flexible idea for a self-guided day trip to Bodö on a day with good weather.
- 01
Check the weather and wind forecast and the BistroCafé's opening hours before you set off.
- 02
Set off in the morning, as the journey takes about two hours each way.
- 03
Moor at a buoy berth in Bodö guest harbour and pay the harbour fee.
- 04
If you like, book your own slot in the wood-heated raft sauna as soon as you arrive at the harbour.
- 05
Have lunch on the BistroCafé terrace with a view of the archipelago.
- 06
Walk the marked trail to the southern tip of the island, from where you can see all the way to Utö with binoculars in good weather.
- 07
Start the return trip in good time and refuel on the way if needed.
Guest harbour and arrival
Turn off the fairway into the bay. If you are coming from the north, give a wide berth to the rocks just below the surface on the north shore at the mouth of the bay. After that, you can approach the jetty freely. According to the harbour, the depth around the jetty is about 1.5–2.5 metres near the shore and more further out.
Anchoring at the jetty and in the bay is strictly prohibited because of cables on the seabed, so do not use the boat's anchor. The berths are buoy berths: moor with the stern to a buoy and the bow to the jetty. In the summer season, there are also a few places for mooring alongside at the end of the T-jetty, which must be agreed in advance.
According to the harbour, the harbour fee includes welcome coffee and juice for children, the berth, the public sauna, dry toilets, wifi, waste disposal and a dishwashing point.
The harbour is open from May to September. Outside the season you may moor at the jetty, but there are no services. Berth availability cannot be guaranteed in advance, and in July the harbour does not take same-day bookings. If buoy mooring is new to you, ask us for tips before you set off.
BistroCafé, saunas and nature trails
When it is open, the BistroCafé serves homemade food and selected wines on a terrace with a view of the archipelago. For large groups, allergies and special diets, it is best to let them know a day in advance.
The service building has the harbour office, a covered terrace and a small shop where you can top up your food supplies.
There are three saunas: the main building's sauna and the service building's sauna are included in the harbour fee, and the wood-heated raft sauna can be booked for private use. A limited number of raft sauna slots can be booked in advance or on arrival at the harbour. The amount of fresh water on the island is limited, so use water sparingly.
The island has two marked walking routes, each about two kilometres one way, through varied terrain. From the southern tip you can see all the way to Utö with binoculars in good weather. You can also rent a SUP board at the harbour, with a paddle and life jacket included. The watchtower is not open to visitors.
There is no fuel on Bodö, so plan your refuelling in advance. The nearest boat fuel station is the Seapoint station on Nötö, and you can also refuel in Nauvo along the way. The Buster Magnum runs on 98E5.
Opening hours, prices and summer events vary, so check the latest information on Bodö's own website before you set off.
Accommodation on Bodö
The main building of the old coastguard station has renovated bed & breakfast rooms, and pets are welcome. Accommodation is booked directly with Bodö, and a berth is not included in the room price.
When you rent the Buster Magnum from us for several days or even a week, you can stay the night and continue your trip the next day. Book accommodation directly with the provider.
Remember before you set off
- Only go in good weather and check the forecast for the whole day.
- Check that you have enough fuel and plan refuelling before the return trip.
- Check the BistroCafé's opening hours.
- Pack sauna gear, shoes suitable for the nature trail and warm clothing.
Shall we head to Bodö for the day?
Choose a departure point, look at the route and check the Buster Magnum's availability.
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See also
- MaisaariPlan a boat trip to Maisaari for your family or group: a pizza stop, a wood-fired sauna and accommodation for over 50 people. Route and travel times from Hovirinta and Särkänsalmi.Read the trip guide
- KorpoströmPlan a boat day to Korpoström from Hovirinta or Särkänsalmi. Route, travel time and tips for the Archipelago Centre's exhibitions, the harbour and food.Read the trip guide
- GullkronaPlan a boat day to Gullkrona from Hovirinta or Särkänsalmi. Route, travel time, fuel estimate and tips for a family island trip.Read the trip guide
Similar destinations by theme: Harbours with saunas · Restaurant harbours · For families with children