Jussarö by boat – an abandoned mining island on the edge of the national park

Iron ore was first mined on Jussarö in 1834–1861. Prisoners convicted of vagrancy also worked in the mine, and operations ended because they were unprofitable.

Vuoksenniska Oy mined iron ore from the seabed south-east of Jussarö in 1954–1967, and in the 1960s the concentrate from Jussarö was processed at the Koverhar steelworks. The mine, which lay partly under the sea, was closed as unprofitable in 1967. The production and residential buildings, as well as the transport and harbour structures, were left empty, and the mining area still dominates the eastern part of the island.

The island also has a long history of pilotage. There was a pilot village around Västerviken bay in the northern part of the island by the early 19th century at the latest, and of its buildings only Kullakoja remains. After the mine closed, the island was taken over by the Finnish Defence Forces, and the Finnish Border Guard's Jussarö coast guard station operated on the island until November 2011.

The island's nature trails run past old mine shafts and through old-growth forest. Jussarö suits a day that combines mining history, a nature trail, a sauna and a restaurant in the atmosphere of the outer archipelago.

The trip suits people interested in history and industrial heritage, hikers and anyone who wants to experience the atmosphere of the outer archipelago while keeping harbour services close at hand.

Jussarö guest harbour is on the island's north shore. The harbour has 49 berths with booms and buoys as well as alongside berths, and the depth is 2.5–5.5 metres. The harbour is sheltered by a breakwater, which you can also moor to. Some of the berths can be booked in advance through the Satamapaikka service, and the rest are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. In July the harbour is often full.

Landing is permitted on the eastern side of the island. Landing in the western part of the island, which belongs to the national park, is prohibited all year round, and there you must keep to the marked nature trail. Keep pets on a lead. Fires may only be lit at marked campfire sites, and not even there when a wildfire warning is in force. Picking berries and mushrooms is not recommended, because the soil contains heavy metals left over from mining.

There are two nature trails, a shorter one and a longer one, and they run past old mine shafts and through old-growth forest. Choose a route according to the time you have available.

Metsähallitus leased the island's tourism buildings to Havsvind Ab, which started the guest harbour, restaurant and sauna services at the beginning of June 2026. Behind the company are three local entrepreneurs, and the island's restaurant, Café Ön, serves bistro food and café fare. Check the season's opening hours and services on Jussarö's website.

There is a charge for the harbour. Check the current harbour fees, including any price for a day visit, on Jussarö's website.

The harbour fee includes the sauna, shower, water, electricity and toilet. The beach sauna has public sessions in the afternoons, and in the evening the sauna can be booked for private use. Drinking water is available on the island.

Agree on refuelling with the boat owner before you set off.

Jussarö has a campsite for tents. On the national park side, camping is only allowed in marked camping areas. Ask the island's entrepreneur directly about other accommodation options.

Moor the boat for the night according to the harbour's instructions.