National park · Finland
Bothnian Sea National ParkSelkämeren kansallispuisto
Enter free, but budget €28–85 per person for the boat to any lighthouse island; walk Preiviikinlahti from Pori by car or bus, and take the Isokari or Kylmäpihlaja cruise in June–August.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
913 km²353 sq mi
approximate
Established
2011
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 913 km²353 sq mi
- Roughly 913 km² total, of which about 98% is sea; the park runs about 160 km north–south and 10–20 km west–east (check).
- Established
- 2011
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Bothnian Sea National Park is about 98% water: a 160 km chain of skerries, nesting islets and open sea off Finland's west coast, established in 2011 to protect underwater nature and seabird colonies. Only two mainland spots — Preiviikinlahti near Pori and Salttöö in Merikarvia — can be reached by car. Everything else, including the lighthouse islands of Isokari, Kylmäpihlaja, Säppi and the former fortress islands Kuuskajaskari and Katanpää, needs a boat, a scheduled cruise or a kayak. There is no park gate, no entry ticket and no visitor centre on site; information is handled by the Nature Centre Haltia in Nuuksio.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2011.
Size and age
913 km²353 sq mi · national park since 2011
Roughly 913 km² total, of which about 98% is sea; the park runs about 160 km north–south and 10–20 km west–east (check).
Why go
- Thousands of migrating seabirds pass through Preiviikinlahti in spring and autumn, watched from free towers on the mainland.
- Grey seals are common in the park; the islands are their haul-out ground.
- Three working lighthouses — Isokari, Kylmäpihlaja and Säppi — can be visited, two of them with lodging inside the tower.
- Kuuskajaskari and Katanpää are former military fortresses with barracks, trails and guided history tours.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanIce and gales; almost nothing runs
- FebIce; no boat services
- MarIce breaking up; services closed
- AprMigrating birds arrive; boats not yet running
- MayIsokari cruises start; nesting season begins
- JunLong days, all cruises running
- JulWarmest sea; busiest island boats
- AugWarm, quieter late in the month
- SepAutumn migration; fewer departures
- OctMost services stop; weather turns
- NovStorms; nothing running
- DecDark and cold; no services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migrating seabirds and waterfowl (thousands in spring and autumn)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · Preiviikinlahti is the main watching area. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Nesting seabirds and waterfowlMay–Jul · Do not land on or approach nesting islets. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Grey sealAll year · Common in the park; watch from a distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ticks and snakes on the islandsMay–Sep · Ticks carry borreliosis and TBE; check yourself after walking. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Pori
Local bus towards Yyteri stops near Preiviikinlahti; the bay is a short walk from the road. Train from Tampere to Pori, then summer bus to Yyteri.
30–45 min
From Rauma
Boat to Kylmäpihlaja and Kuuskajaskari; the Kylmäpihlaja vessel leaves from Poroholma, about 2 km from the centre.Boat to Kylmäpihlaja and Kuuskajaskari; the Kylmäpihlaja vessel leaves from Poroholma, about 1.2 mi from the centre.
30–60 min by boat
From Uusikaupunki
Cruises to Isokari and Katanpää from the harbour; Isokari also served from Kustavi in July.
1.5–2.5 h by boat
From Merikarvia
Boat to Ouraluoto; Salttöö area reachable by car.
Varies
From Turku or Tampere
Daily coaches to Uusikaupunki and Pori; coaches along the E8 stop at Rauma, Pori, Luvia and Merikarvia.
1.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Preiviikinlahti, Pori | The main mainland section: shallow bay, bird towers, nature trails and rare aquatic flora. | Open and free; by car or local bus, partly wheelchair-accessible. |
| Salttöö, Merikarvia | The second mainland area reachable by car. | Open and free. |
| Lighthouse islands (Isokari, Kylmäpihlaja, Säppi) | Working lighthouses, guest harbours, cafés and lodging. | By scheduled boat, cruise or your own boat; guided lighthouse tours. |
| Fortress islands (Kuuskajaskari, Katanpää) | Former military fortifications, barracks and trails; Katanpää was in use until 1999 and also served as a prison. | By boat; guided tours and lodging available. |
| Open sea and skerries | The bulk of the park: grey seal haul-outs, nesting seabirds and underwater nature. | Boat only; keep distance from nesting islets. |
Sketch map
- 1Preiviikinlahti · Trail≈61.526, 21.576Mainland bay near Pori, reachable by car and local bus.Map ↗
- 2Salttöö · Trail≈61.776, 21.479Mainland area in Merikarvia.Map ↗
- 3Isokari lighthouse · Viewpoint≈60.718, 21.011Map ↗
- 4Katanpää · Village≈60.613, 21.167Former fortress and prison island.Map ↗
- 5Kylmäpihlaja lighthouse · Sleep≈61.145, 21.303Map ↗
- 6Kuuskajaskari · Village≈61.138, 21.362Map ↗
- 7Säppi lighthouse · Viewpoint≈61.477, 21.347Map ↗
- 8Pori · Town≈61.486, 21.792Map ↗
- 9Rauma · Town≈61.128, 21.511Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (there is no gate or ticket) | Free | person | Access to the park is free; you pay only for transport and services. |
| Kylmäpihlaja return boat from Poroholma, Rauma | EUR 28 | adult | 2026 estimate; children cheaper (check). |
| Isokari cruise from Uusikaupunki (M/S Kerttu) | EUR 85 | adult | 2026 estimate; about €42 for children 4–12; includes guided island tour and warm lunch. |
| Säppi day trip (Luvia or Pori departure) | EUR 30–35 | adult | 2026 estimate; about €10–15 for children; bring your own lunch. |
| Lighthouse visit with your own yacht | EUR 10–15 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Guest marina overnight (Isokari, Kuuskajaskari, Katanpää) | EUR 15–25 | boat | 2026 estimate; Katanpää day visit about €8, ships about €80. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Boat or cruise to the islands permit or guide
Landing on nesting islets permit or guide
Park rules
- Nesting islets
- Do not approach or land on bird nesting islets, especially in spring and early summer.
- Waste
- There are no waste bins; take all rubbish back to the mainland.
- Camping
- Short-term camping on the islands is allowed, but there are no designated sites; some islands have wooden pallets for tents.
- Stoves
- A camping stove is allowed even during wildfire warnings if used with care and with water at hand.
- Water
- Natural water in the area is generally not drinkable; check for a tap on the island or bring your own.
- Excursion harbours
- They have only a dry toilet and a campfire site; at Nirvo and Munakari bring your own firewood.
Where to stay
In the park
Isokari hotel
Six double rooms, one lighthouse suite and a four-person cabin; from about €99.
In the park
Kylmäpihlaja hotel
Rooms inside the lighthouse tower, about €109–245.
In the park
Kuuskajaskari lodging
Hostel in a former barracks about €25–34, tentsiles €85–110, cabins €85–205.
In the park
Katanpää lodging
Various rooms about €55 per person; B&B, meals and sauna by request.
Near the park
Pori or Rauma
Mainland hotels and hostels; the practical base for Preiviikinlahti and the Rauma boat departures.
Safety
Weather and sea state high
Slippery rocks high
Ticks medium
Snakes medium
Mobile coverage medium
Cold water high
Accessibility
- The Lankoori bird tower inside the park and Eteläranta in Preiviikinlahti are accessible by wheelchair.
- The Preiviikinlahti bay is within walking distance of the road and reachable by car.
- Island terrain is rough and stony; prams are impractical and tours may involve uneven footpaths.
Visiting lightly
- Stay off nesting islets and keep your distance from seals, especially in the breeding season.
- Take all waste back with you; the islands have no bins.
- Use the guest marinas and excursion harbours rather than anchoring on sensitive shores.
- Buy coffee or lunch on the islands so the small operators keep running.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bothnian Sea National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate, no ticket and no visitor centre on site, so park entry is free. You pay only for transport and services: about €28 return by boat to Kylmäpihlaja from Rauma, about €30–35 for a Säppi day trip, and about €85 for the Isokari cruise from Uusikaupunki including lunch. Guest marina overnight fees run about €15–25 per boat.
What are the best hikes in Bothnian Sea National Park?
The mainland trail network around Preiviikinlahti and Yyteri near Pori is the easiest walking, with bird towers at Leveäkari, Huhtala and Lankoori. On the islands there are marked nature trails on Iso-Enskeri, Säppi and Kuuskajaskari, and a fortress walk on Katanpää. The Isokari island trail is mostly outside the park boundary. Island terrain is rough and stony, so plan short distances.
When is the best time to visit Bothnian Sea National Park?
June to August, when the island boats and cruises run and the days are long. May and September are good for bird migration but have fewer departures. Most services stop in October, and from November to March there is ice, storms and effectively no transport to the islands.
Do I need a boat to visit the park?
For almost all of it, yes — about 98% of the park is sea. Only Preiviikinlahti near Pori and Salttöö in Merikarvia can be reached by car, and the Preiviikinlahti bay is a short walk from the road with local buses passing towards Yyteri.
Can I see grey seals?
Grey seals are common in the park, but they haul out on skerries and islets. Watch from a boat or a distance and never approach a haul-out, especially in the breeding season.
Where can I stay near Bothnian Sea National Park?
On the islands: Isokari hotel from about €99, rooms inside the Kylmäpihlaja lighthouse about €109–245, a hostel in the former Kuuskajaskari barracks about €25–34, and rooms on Katanpää about €55 per person. On the mainland, Pori and Rauma have the widest choice and are the practical bases.
Is there a visitor centre?
No. The park has no information hut of its own; the Nature Centre Haltia in Nuuksio handles information for it. On the mainland, Nature House Arkki in Pori has an exhibition on the Bothnian Sea.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go