Salskär
Salskär island · Salskär lighthouse
63°11.9'N 20°45.4'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good holding on sand/mud in 3–6m. The island gives reasonable shelter on the east side in westerly winds. In easterly conditions the anchorage is exposed — move to west side or seek shelter elsewhere.
About This Anchorage
Salskär is a small lighthouse island in the outer Kvarken Archipelago — an isolated rock with the lighthouse structure and keeper's quarters marking the southern approach to the Kvarken Strait. Lighthouse islands of this type were maintained by resident keepers until automation in the 1980s; the former keeper's accommodation survives on the island. The surrounding waters show the classic Kvarken moraine seabed — visible through clear water. The birdlife around the island is excellent — the isolation and lack of human disturbance means the island is a significant breeding site for seabirds. Anchoring in the lee of an active lighthouse with the open Gulf of Bothnia visible to the east is a memorable experience.
Protected From
W · NW · SW · N
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Active lighthouse station — no landing without permission from Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency; bird sanctuary restrictions on island edges May–Jul; no interference with lighthouse operation.
Hazards
- !CRITICAL: Land uplift — verify depths on arrival; chart soundings dated quickly at 9mm/year
- !Active lighthouse station — no landing without permission
- !Open to east and NE across the Gulf of Bothnia — easterly conditions expose the anchorage
- !Bird sanctuary restrictions May–Jul on island
- !Remote outer location — no facilities; emergency services distant
Skipper's Tips
- →Salskär is a pure lighthouse island anchorage — the isolation, the light flashing at night, and the Gulf of Bothnia horizon give a genuine sense of the outer Baltic
- →The clear water around the island reveals the De Geer moraine bottom — snorkelling here shows the UNESCO landscape underwater
- →The passage from Vaasa to Salskär (28nm) through the outer Kvarken channels requires careful chart navigation — the most recent Finnish chart is essential
- →Night at anchor off Salskär with the lighthouse sweeping overhead and the midnight sun (early July) — one of the most atmospheric nights in Finnish sailing
- →The lighthouse pattern and character should be noted in your passage plan — it is the primary navigation mark for the Kvarken approach
Facilities
No facilities. Active lighthouse — no public access. Self-sufficient sailing required. Nearest provisions at Vaasa (28nm).
Nearest provisions: Vaasa (28nm SE) (28nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Remote outer lighthouse island — experienced sailors only. Monitor Gulf of Bothnia weather carefully; conditions change faster than in the inner archipelago.