Jurmo

Jurmo is a remote barren island with special nature, regarded as a "must" for those boating in the outer archipelago between Nagu and Utö. The island has a chapel due to the remoteness, although traditionally inhabited by only four families (down to one person living there alone in the 1980s). Most of the island belongs to strict nature reserves or to the Archipelago Sea National Park, the latter providing some services, in addition to those of the locals.

According to a popular story, back in the 1500s the villagers lured passing cargo ships to run aground by lighting bonfires and then robbing the cargo from the shipwreck. When king Gustav I of Sweden heard about this he ordered the whole island and its residents to be burned down. Legend or not, such fire would actually explain the lack of woods and top soil on the island.

The island had no safe harbour until modern times, so more than once most boats were destroyed when the villagers did not manage to move them around the island in time. On the other hand the storms also quite often brought goods from shipwrecks – with or without bonfires. At least one rescued seaman stayed on the island long enough to marry here, and to make the votive ship in the chapel.

Nature:

The island is geologically part of Salpausselkä, the terminal moraine system separating the Finnish Lakeland from the Gulf of Finland. This makes the landscape very different from the rest of the archipelago. The shores look like sandy beaches from a distance, only that the "sand" is such only for giants. Walking on the shores is surprisingly heavy as the round pebbles move under your feet.

The ferry m/s Utö from Pärnäs, in Nagu, to Utö, calls at the island and is free of charge. You can find the timetables online. The arrivals and departures highlighted in yellow have a coach connection from/to Turku. The ferry will wait for the coach in Pärnäs.

A day trip to Jurmo is possible during summer months on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays but there is no connection back to Turku on Wednesdays (when the return is later). The coach leaves Turku bus station at 06:45 and tickets cost €13.70/adult. You will have 2½ hours to explore the island, which you will probably find to be a very short time. For pedestrians that time will be enough to reach the village and see the views from Högberget but to reach the munkringar you probably wish to ride a bike. The departure time is an estimate, don't gamble on it. Other days the ferry arrives late and departs early, so you probably want to stay two nights.

You could use a taxi boat, but the distance makes such trips expensive. Tours for groups are arranged from Nagu and Kasnäs.

For those with own or chartered yacht there is a large guest harbour with limited service. Jurmo is in the outer archipelago, so if you are coming by yacht, and especially if you are coming with a smaller boat, you should check the maritime weather forecasts.

m/s Baldur (ex Eivor), ☏ +358 44-500-0503. Year round, more or less daily. From Pärnäs via a few other islands. Coach stop and parking in Pärnäs. Some food and drinks served on board. Hint: If you want to eat their lunch, mention that you are leaving at Jurmo. They probably can prepare your meal a little bit in advance so you'll have more time to eat. Free, lunch €12.

1 The harbour. Large harbour with good breakwaters and limited service. This is where you arrive with ferry or yacht.