Brännskär by boat – an unhurried day for two

Brännskär is an old fishing homestead in the middle archipelago of the south-western archipelago, south of Nauvo. The eastern part of the island is owned by the Turunmaa Archipelago Foundation and Svenska småbruk och egna hem Ab, and the western part is privately owned. A small visitor harbour close to nature has been built on the island together with the foundation, and both children and adults feel at home. The island is also a home: two families live there all year round. Lennart Söderlund builds wooden boats and log cabins on the island, and on summer evenings there is music and culture.

The island's history has been documented since the 16th century, and the first records of settlement date from the 18th century. On the rocky island, people lived from fishing, hunting and small-scale cattle farming. The Österman family lived on the island from 1873, and for decades Brännskär's smoked Baltic herring was a well-known delicacy throughout Turunmaa.

The rocky island has diverse nature: coniferous forest, meadows and ancient wind-swept pines on the rocks of the southern and south-western shores. The vegetation was studied as early as the 1930s, and the island was found to be rich in species, especially in its eastern part. As the overgrown meadows are managed again, old species such as the rare mountain everlasting may return. With luck you may see a common redstart or a red-backed shrike. Right by the shore there is also the wreck of a wooden sailing ship, possibly the brig Enigheten, which sank in 1897.

In the summer season, the island serves lunch soup, pizza from the island's pizza kitchen and café treats. Café Salve is open from May to September, daily in June–August and at weekends in May and September, and in the summer season it also serves breakfast, which is booked the day before. On the island you can buy freshly baked bread, the island's own products and handicrafts, and on some days smoked fish, and on certain days there is music and dancing.

The harbour has saunas for hire, which are heated when booked, as well as showers, a washing machine and a waste point. Would a sauna round off your island day? Ask about a sauna slot in advance and leave time for a relaxed afternoon.

The island has a 2.5-kilometre nature trail, a swimming beach and camping. There are barbecue areas, and activities include archery, disc golf, kubb and darts. Kayaks can be rented for anything from two hours to a full day, and the rental can be arranged in advance. Yoga classes are also held on the island several times a week.

Stay in the areas intended for visitors and respect the privacy of the residents' yards.