Russarö

About This Anchorage

Russarö is a small granite island in the Hanko outer approaches, home to one of Finland's important offshore lighthouses. The lighthouse has guided ships into Hanko Harbour since the 19th century, and the island served as a Finnish military observation post throughout the 20th century. The north side of the island offers a sheltered anchorage protected from the open Baltic's prevailing SW swell — making it a useful staging anchorage for passages approaching or leaving Hanko. The island's military history is visible in remaining fortifications. Russarö is outside the main archipelago belt and faces significant open water to south and west — weather assessment is essential before anchoring here overnight.

Hazards

• !Exposed outer position — SW Baltic swell can wrap around island; monitor forecasts constantly
• !Minimum 2m depth in anchorage — use echo sounder carefully on approach
• !9mm/year uplift — chart depths may be optimistic; verify with sounder
• !No facilities — self-sufficient passage anchorage only
• !N/NE exposure — northerly quadrant is open; leave if northerly develops above F3

Skipper's Tips

• →Russarö's lighthouse is an excellent photographic subject at sunset with the open Baltic behind it
• →Best used as a staging anchorage for the Hanko approach in southerly conditions when the south harbour anchorage is more exposed
• →The island's fortifications are historically interesting — explore with binoculars from the anchorage

Nearby Anchorages