Vasikkasaari by boat – a small island with a big history

From 1853 to 1918, Vasikkasaari was controlled by the Russian army, and the island's brick buildings and stone structures date from the time of the Crimean War. The Russian era also left many introduced plant species on the island. In 1918, the island and the military supplies left in its storehouses passed to the Finnish state.

On 8 February 1919, a large naphtha tank on the island exploded and caught fire, after which the shells in the island's ammunition stores exploded one after another. The explosion is said to have been heard as far away as Tallinn and Heinola. The island's wooden buildings were completely destroyed, and the guards' brick house was also wrecked.

Summer cabins have been built on Vasikkasaari since 1946, with as many as 176 at their peak. The City of Helsinki acquired the island in 1963. Today there are about 50 summer cabins, mostly in the northern and eastern parts of the island, and the rest of the island is used for recreation by the city's residents.

The island has two signposted routes: the main route, about a kilometre long, takes in the historical sites in the centre of the island, and the path of just under a kilometre in the western part follows the shoreline. There is an information board with a map and signposts on the island, and on the rocks the path is marked with white posts and arrows. On the way, you can try out the echo in the old oil tank and see crumbling buildings from the Russian era.

The island makes a good short afternoon or evening trip and suits people interested in history and sauna lovers. The terrain is rocky and uneven, and there are steps on the paths, so the island is not suitable for wheelchair or pushchair access.

Vasikkasaari's guest jetty is on the east side of the island, and it has boom berths. Apart from the guest jetty, there are no other safe landing places on the island.

The buoy and boom berths at the island's main jetty are only for those who have booked them, so do not moor at them.

You can moor your boat at Vasikkasaari for a short time free of charge, and at the city's short-stay berths you can keep your boat for two to four hours. Check the up-to-date terms on the city's website.

Next to the waterbus jetty there is a barbecue area as well as a toilet and a waste shelter maintained by the city. There are four toilets on the island in total. The other three are maintained by the cottagers, but visitors may also use them. Bring your own food and something to drink.

On Saunasaari, which is joined to the northern part of the island, a private sauna business rents out two smoke saunas. Check the season, prices and bookings on Saunasaari's own website.

Camping is not allowed, and there is no swimming beach on the island. There are about 50 summer cabins on the island, so respect the residents' peace and keep to the marked routes.