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Rankki from the air: reddish shore rocks and the island's woodland in the open sea. Photo: Antti Ukkonen / Cursor Oy.

Photo: Antti Ukkonen / Cursor Oy.

Rankki by boat – coastal guns and Restaurant Sotku on a former military island

Rankki was a fortress island closed to civilians for about a hundred years, and it is now open to visitors. There is a guest harbour on the northern tip of the island, and Restaurant Sotku operates in the former soldiers' canteen. On the island you can see heavy coastal guns and an old Russian barracks.

Details checked against sources in October 2026.

See rental boats on Friilo (opens in a new tab)See the route to Rankki

Services on site

  • Guest jetty
  • Electricity
  • Shower
  • Sauna
  • Restaurant
  • Shop
  • Barbecue area
  • Swimming beach
  • Nature trail

Many services are only open in the summer season, so check opening hours on the destination's website.

Why go to Rankki?

Rankki is an island off Kotka, about five nautical miles from Kotkansaari. The Russians began fortifying the island during the First World War in 1914 as part of Peter the Great's Naval Fortress, which extended to both shores of the Gulf of Finland. The work was left unfinished because of the 1917 revolution, but the position was taken into use for coastal defence as early as 1916.

In the last weeks of the Winter War, in March 1940, the coastal artillery on Rankki and Kirkonmaa opened fire on Soviet troops attacking across the ice from Suursaari. Later the island was used by the Finnish Defence Forces, and at the end of 2006 it became a guarded fort and conscript training ended.

Rankki is now a tourist island maintained by Kotkan Saaret Oy. On the island you can still see heavy coastal guns and a wooden Russian-era barracks for the rank and file, and a newer barracks built in the 1960s now serves as a hostel. Restaurant Sotku operates in the former soldiers' canteen and is also the island's reception.

Scenes for The Summer Book, a film based on Tove Jansson's novel and starring Glenn Close, were also shot on Rankki. Rankki suits a day that combines military history, a walk around the island and a restaurant meal.

Up-to-date information

Who is this trip for?

The trip suits people interested in military history, groups of friends and families who want to combine a boat trip, a walk around the island and a restaurant meal. The island also has a range of accommodation, so you can make Rankki an overnight trip.

Route to Rankki

Departure point
Sapokka departure harbour: information and travel times

Sapokka → Rankki

Distance / one way
6 nm
Travel time / one way
approx. 25 min
Fuel / one way
approx. 5 l
Fuel / round trip
approx. 10 l

Travel times are calculated at a cruising speed of 25 knots and include the slower sections of the route. The fuel estimate is based on a consumption of 0.9 l/nm. Actual consumption depends on the boat, the weather, load and driving style.

At the start of the route in Sapokka marina and right at the end as you approach Rankki guest harbour, you travel slowly, and the slower sections are included in the estimated travel time. The guest harbour is on the northern tip of the island and only has room for about 20 boats, so secure a berth by booking it 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.

Wind forecast: Rankki

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Back to the Rankki route on the home page

Suggested plan for an island day

This is a flexible idea for a self-guided day trip to Rankki.

  1. 01

    Book a rental boat on Friilo and agree on pick-up and refuelling with the boat's owner. Look at the route and the estimated travel time.

  2. 02

    Check Sotku's opening hours and book a guest berth in advance if you wish.

  3. 03

    Moor the boat in the guest harbour on the northern tip and check in at Sotku, which serves as the reception for boaters.

  4. 04

    Walk across the island to the coastal guns and the old barracks.

  5. 05

    Eat at Sotku and book a sauna slot at the harbour's shore sauna if you like.

  6. 06

    Start the return trip in good time, taking into account the weather and the boat's return time.

Map: Rankki – paths and roads and the guest harbour.
The map shows paths and roads and the guest harbour. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), dashed lines and harbour location based on our routes.
Rankki island from the air, surrounded by calm sea. Photo: Antti Ukkonen / Cursor Oy.
The rocky shore of Rankki from the air, with the island's woodland behind. Photo: Antti Ukkonen / Cursor Oy.
Photos: Antti Ukkonen / Cursor Oy.

Guest harbour on the northern tip

Rankki guest harbour is on the northern tip of the island and has room for about 20 boats. A guest berth can be booked in advance by phone for a booking fee.

Restaurant Sotku serves as the reception for boaters and overnight guests, so check in there and pay the harbour fee. Electricity is included in the harbour fee.

Take your rubbish with you on the return trip.

Harbour fees, services and refuelling

Check the current harbour fees, the price of a day visit and the booking fee on the Kotkan Saaret website.

Restaurant Sotku operates in the former soldiers' canteen and has a small shop in one corner. You can also get picnic food from Sotku for your walk around the island. Check the opening hours before you set off.

By the sea in the harbour there is a large electrically heated group sauna, and near the barracks there is a smaller barrel sauna. Check sauna times and prices on the Kotkan Saaret website.

The Kotka archipelago is a tick risk area. Stay on roads and paths, and check your skin after the trip.

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

Rankki services – Kotkan Saaret (opens in a new tab)

Up-to-date information

Accommodation and overnight stays on Rankki

Rankki's former conscript barracks now serves as a hostel where guests stay in barrack rooms, and there is also accommodation in the former terraced-house flats of the army's career personnel. Tent, weather station or bunker accommodation can be requested separately, and it is always combined with barracks or terraced-house accommodation. Check the current options and bookings on the Kotkan Saaret website.

The boat is moored for the night according to the harbour's instructions.

Accommodation on Rankki – Kotkan Saaret (opens in a new tab)

Remember before you set off

  • Check Sotku's opening hours, and secure a guest berth by booking it in advance.
  • Walking shoes and long trousers for walking around the island.
  • A rubbish bag, as waste cannot be left at the harbour.
  • Agree on refuelling with the boat's owner before you set off.
  • Clothing suitable for the weather and a warm layer for the return trip.

Shall we take a boat trip to Rankki?

Rental boats in the Kotka–Hamina area are listed on Friilo. Agree on the boat's pick-up and refuelling with the boat's owner.

See rental boats on Friilo (opens in a new tab)

See also

Similar destinations by theme: Harbours with saunas · Restaurant harbours · Short boat trips