Utö

Utö is the southernmost inhabited island in Finland, 80 km (50 mi) from the mainland, by the main fairway from the Baltic Sea to Turku and Naantali. As such it was important early on, with maritime pilots inhabiting the island since the 18th century and the first lighthouse built in 1753. The current lighthouse was built in 1814 and its current outfit is from 1935. The island was shared between the four pilot families.

The island was first mentioned in a letter by king Gustav Vasa in 1550 saying that there is a stone cairn on the island. A Dutch nautical guide from 1592 knows that the island called Wttoy has a mast with a barrel and one must circumnavigate the island from west. A pilot station was established in 1697.

The island got heavy coastal artillery during World War I. The garrison was turned into a hotel in 2005. The island had long been a popular destination, but this made the island much more accessible. Even though the military personnel left the island, there are still some equipment and the cannons are ready to use.

Due to the pilot station, lighthouse and military there is some infrastructure on the island, such as a small primary school and a library, making the island ideal for people wishing to stay or live far from everything. There are a few dozens year-round inhabitants but many more people in summertime.

The island belonged to the municipality of Korpo, which now has merged with the rest of the south-western archipelago.

As an island far out it has been involved in several tragic accidents, notably the shipwreck of Draken av Nystad in 1929, the loss of coastal defence ship Ilmarinen, which was sunk by a mine in World War II, the shipwreck of the US freighter m/s Park Victory on nearby rocks in 1947 and the sinking of cruise ferry m/s Estonia in the open sea in 1994.

The climate is relatively mild because of the sea, but wind and moisture make the temperature feel colder.

There are ferries from Turku (from the river) and Nagu (Kyrkbacken or Pärnäs, 4–5 hr from the latter), taxi boats available on request, and a pier for visiting yachts:

m/s Kökar. When Baldur off service.

1 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 (no public parking on Utö). Some departures and arrivals have coach connection from respectively to Turku. Some food and breweries available. Arrives to the ferry jetty next to the hotel. In winter and at some occasions replaced with m/s Kökar.In summer (6 June–31 August 2022) departures M–W with return in the evening after ½–3 hr on Utö, Th–Sa with return the next day. Off season (2021–2022) departures M W with return the same day, Th–Sa with return next day. Be on board 10 min before departure. When the service matches the coach, you can wait in the ferry or the terminal in Pärnäs. Free.

2 Utö guest harbour, ☏ +358 400 143 814. Literally in the middle of the village. The east side of the long jetty may be used by visitors. Operated by café Hannas horisont. €15/night.