Seili by rental boat – a day trip in the Turku archipelago

Seili has been permanently inhabited since the Middle Ages. In 1619, King Gustav II Adolf ordered a leprosy hospital to be built on the island, as the sick were to be isolated there because of the risk of infection. At least 663 leprosy patients are known to have been cared for on the island. The cruciform log church was built in 1733–1734 and has separate entrances and spaces for patients with leprosy and those without it. The church is surrounded by a cemetery with wooden crosses.

Seili's last leprosy patient died in 1785, after which more and more mentally ill patients were placed on the island. The mental hospital operated on the island until 1962. Visitors have free access to the main building, the former mental hospital, where a patient room left as it was can be seen in the corridor. The former hospital area is a nationally significant built cultural environment, and both the museum church and the hospital buildings are protected.

Since 1964, the island has been home to the University of Turku's Archipelago Research Institute, which studies the Archipelago Sea and the Baltic Sea. The island of about 160 hectares is entirely protected, and most of it belongs to the Natura 2000 network. The central part of the island has a traditional landscape shaped over the centuries, the south has lush groves and hazel bushes and the north more barren coniferous forest. The landscape is maintained by mowing and by grazing sheep and cows. On the island you can see, for example, maiden pinks and red admiral butterflies, and a pair of ospreys nests on the island every year.

The guest harbour is open almost all year round, and the island's other services are open daily in the summer season and at weekends in May and September. The harbour service building has toilets, dishwashing facilities and washing machines, and there is a floating septic station next to the Station jetty. The sauna is available during public sauna hours, and private sauna slots can be booked.

Restaurant Seili serves a buffet lunch that always includes a vegetarian option, and there is also a café and a bistro. Guided tours are organised on the island, as well as kayaking and traditional peasant boat sailing trips, for example. Check opening hours, prices and bookings on the Visit Seili website.

On Seili you can stay, for example, in the historic hospital buildings or in a cottage of your own, and pets are welcome in many of the places to stay.

Boats staying overnight are directed to the Station jetty (Asemalaituri). In summer the Station jetty has three berths that can be booked in advance in the Visit Seili online shop. Otherwise berth availability cannot be guaranteed in advance.

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.