- \n
- Two of the three guest harbours are on small islands: you take a connecting boat across to Valkosaari and Liuskasaari. You can reach MarinaBay on foot, and the Market Square is only a short distance away.<\/li>\n
- From Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the commuter trains on lines I and P take around 30 minutes to reach the centre, and the station is directly beneath the terminal.<\/li>\n
- Ferries from Stockholm and Tallinn dock at the Olympia Terminal and the Katajanokka Terminal, only a few hundred metres from Valkosaari and MarinaBay.<\/li>\n
- The nearest supermarket is around 600 metres from the Olympia Terminal, and for a big shop by car there is a Lidl about 1.2 kilometres away.<\/li>\n
- Summer brings the lightest winds, and storms on open water are rare then. The connecting boats to Valkosaari and Liuskasaari run in summer.<\/li>\n
- Valkosaari is open from early May to mid-September, MarinaBay from mid-April to the end of October (2026 season).<\/li>\n
- Tides play no role; water levels are changed mainly by wind and air pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Which guest harbours are there in Helsinki?<\/h2>\n
Three guest harbours matter for yachts in the centre of Helsinki: Valkosaari, Liuskasaari and MarinaBay. Valkosaari is a small island directly off the Olympia Terminal at the southern end of the South Harbour. Around 1.3 kilometres further southwest lies Liuskasaari, off Kaivopuisto Park, and just under a kilometre north of Valkosaari you will find MarinaBay on the shore of Katajanokka, the peninsula east of the Market Square. On the two islands the guest harbours are run by sailing clubs, while MarinaBay is a harbour business in its own right.<\/p>\n
Further guest berths are offered by the city and the boat clubs, including at Pohjoisranta, on Tervasaari and on the excursion islands off the city, such as Suomenlinna and Vallisaari.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n \nFeature<\/th>\n Valkosaari (NJK)<\/th>\n Liuskasaari (HSS)<\/th>\n MarinaBay<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Location<\/td>\n Island off the Olympia Terminal, South Harbour<\/td>\n Island off Kaivopuisto Park<\/td>\n Kanavaranta 4, Katajanokka<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Operator<\/td>\n Sailing club Nyl\u00e4ndska Jaktklubben (NJK)<\/td>\n Sailing club Helsingfors Segels\u00e4llskap (HSS)<\/td>\n MarinaBay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Visitor berths<\/td>\n around 25<\/td>\n 23 marked guest berths (E1\u2013E23)<\/td>\n over 100 for boats from 15 to 150 feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Water depth<\/td>\n 2,5\u20134,5 m<\/td>\n 3\u20134 m at the guest berths<\/td>\n 3\u20135 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Getting ashore<\/td>\n Connecting boat from the quay behind the Olympia Terminal<\/td>\n Ferry from Merisatamanranta<\/td>\n on foot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Booking<\/td>\n Check in at the harbour office<\/td>\n online, in advance<\/td>\n online, with reservation fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n VHF channel<\/td>\n 68<\/td>\n \u2013<\/td>\n 68<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2026 season<\/td>\n 2 May to 13 September<\/td>\n \u2013<\/td>\n 16 April to 31 October<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Arriving for the start of your trip in Helsinki<\/h2>\n
How you get to the guest harbour depends mainly on whether it is on an island or on the mainland.<\/p>\n
From Helsinki-Vantaa Airport into the city<\/h3>\n
The station is directly beneath the terminal, and you can reach it by lift or escalator from both the arrivals and departures halls. Commuter trains on lines I and P take around 30 minutes to reach the city centre. Alternatively, bus 600 runs between the Central Station and the airport. You can buy tickets in the HSL app or at the machine on the platform. The taxi rank is in front of the arrivals hall, and taxis from contracted companies with posted prices wait at lanes 1 to 3.<\/p>\n
By ferry to Helsinki<\/h3>\n
Ferries from Stockholm sail to Helsinki via Mariehamn on \u00c5land. Tallink Silja Line ships dock at the Olympia Terminal in the South Harbour, while Viking Line ships dock at the Katajanokka Terminal, both very close to Valkosaari and MarinaBay. As things stand (November 2026), one or two ferries sail overnight every day, and the crossing takes around 16 to 17 hours.<\/p>\n
Around ten ferries a day run between Tallinn and Helsinki, and the fastest take about 2 hours. Tallink Silja Line and Ecker\u00f6 Line dock at West Terminal 2 in the West Harbour, and Viking Line at the Katajanokka Terminal. From West Terminal 2, tram lines 7 and 9 run to the Central Station.<\/p>\n
From Travem\u00fcnde, Finnlines sails to the Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari harbour, in the east of the city, in around 28 to 31 hours. From there, bus 90A goes straight to the Central Station, and the nearest metro station, Vuosaari, is about 3 kilometres away.<\/p>\n
Which guest harbour is mine?<\/h3>\n
The name is what matters: Valkosaari, Liuskasaari and MarinaBay lie on different shores of the South Harbour and the Katajanokka peninsula. For the two islands, your destination on land is the landing stage of the connecting boat, not the island itself. For Valkosaari, you take the boat from the quay just behind the Olympia Terminal, and for Liuskasaari from the landing stage of the HSS sailing club on Merisatamanranta. You can reach MarinaBay directly via the street Kanavaranta on Katajanokka.<\/p>\n
Tram lines 2 and 3 stop at the Olympia Terminal, and both go to the Central Station. Line 5 runs directly from the Central Station to the Katajanokka Terminal, while line 4 stops about 400 metres away at the Vy\u00f6katu stop. You can buy single tickets in the HSL app or at the HSL machines.<\/p>\n
Parking<\/h3>\n
From the Olympia Terminal, behind which the connecting boat to Valkosaari departs, the nearest car parks are around 450 to 600 metres away. For stays of several days, the outdoor car parks P2 and P3 at the Old Market Hall, about 500 metres from the Olympia Terminal, are a good choice: there is no maximum parking time, and you pay via a parking app. At MarinaBay, parking is chargeable in the harbour and caf\u00e9 area, and you pay via an app or buy a parking ticket in the caf\u00e9. You cannot park directly on the islands of Valkosaari and Liuskasaari, so the car stays on the mainland.<\/p>\n
Showers and sanitary facilities<\/h3>\n
All three visitor harbours have showers and a sauna. In Valkosaari, showers, sauna, washing machine and tumble dryer are included in the harbour fee. The Liuskasaari visitor harbour has showers, toilets, a washing machine and a tumble dryer, but the sauna has to be booked separately. MarinaBay has separate saunas with changing rooms for women and men, and showers, sauna and laundry room are included in the harbour fee.<\/p>\n
Shopping for the trip<\/h3>\n
The nearest supermarket is an S-market, around 600 metres from the Olympia Terminal. For a bigger shop by car, there is a Lidl around 1.2 kilometres away.<\/p>\n
Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services<\/h3>\n
The nearest pharmacy is Kaivopuiston apteekki, around 650 metres from the Olympia Terminal. The nearest hospital is the Surgical Hospital (Kirurginen sairaala), around 450 metres away.<\/p>\n
- \n
- 112: Emergency number for ambulance, fire brigade and police<\/li>\n
- 116 117: medical advice when it is not life-threatening<\/li>\n
- At sea: VHF channel 16. Sea rescue is run by the Finnish Border Guard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where is the Valkosaari guest harbour?<\/h2>\n
Valkosaari is a small island directly in front of the Olympia Terminal at the southern end of the South Harbour, in the Kaivopuisto district. The visitor harbour is run by the sailing club Nyl\u00e4ndska Jaktklubben (NJK), and the pontoons lie between Valkosaari and the small neighbouring island of Luoto. In season, a connecting boat runs across from the quay just behind the Olympia Terminal, Monday to Saturday from 9 am until shortly before midnight, every 30 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes from 4 pm (2026 timetable).<\/p>\n
On the island stands a large white wooden pavilion with a green roof, dating from 1900, which houses the restaurant NJK in summer. As a guest, you moor here for a fee.<\/p>\n
Facilities at Valkosaari<\/h3>\n
The visitor harbour has around 25 visitor berths. You moor to buoys, on mooring booms or alongside, and the water depth is between 2.5 and 4.5 metres. The pontoons have electricity and drinking water, and ashore there are showers, a sauna, toilets, a washing machine and tumble dryer, and Wi-Fi throughout the harbour. The crossing on the connecting boat is included in the harbour fee. The nearest fuel station is at Liuskasaari, south-west of Valkosaari.<\/p>\n
The Restaurant NJK in the club pavilion is open daily from May to September, except Sundays, from 5 pm to 11 pm. Crews of visiting boats can get a reasonably priced sailors' menu in the clubrooms without a reservation.<\/p>\n
Where is the Liuskasaari guest harbour?<\/h2>\n
Liuskasaari lies off the Kaivopuisto park in the south of the city centre. The guest harbour is run by the sailing club Helsingfors Segels\u00e4llskap (HSS).<\/p>\n
The visitor berths are at the south-western end of the northernmost concrete pontoon and are marked E1 to E23 with a visitor sign. In summer, a free ferry run by the club takes you from the landing stage at Merisatamanranta 6 to the island, from early morning until late evening. If you book in advance, you will receive a confirmation with your berth number and the access codes for the facilities.<\/p>\n
Facilities at Liuskasaari<\/h3>\n
The guest berths have electricity and water, and on land there are showers, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, waste disposal and a sauna. You can get petrol at the nearby Sea Point filling station. On the island there is the restaurant HSS and a pizzeria.<\/p>\n
Where is the MarinaBay guest harbour?<\/h2>\n
MarinaBay lies on Kanavaranta on Katajanokka, the peninsula east of the market square, next to old brick warehouses. The market square and the waterfront promenade are only a short walk away, and restaurants, shops and hotels are nearby.<\/p>\n
With more than 100 visitor berths for boats from 15 to 150 feet, MarinaBay is a large guest harbour. Reserved berths are marked on the pontoons, and the map in the booking system shows how many are free.<\/p>\n
MarinaBay facilities<\/h3>\n
The berths have electricity and water, and the marina also offers boat washing, maintenance and sail repair. There is a fuel station next to the harbour. In summer a caf\u00e9 with a terrace opens daily, and there are separate saunas for women and men. The harbour can arrange water taxis and excursions to the skerries.<\/p>\n
The sauna is open from 6 pm to 9 pm, depending on occupancy. You pay the harbour fee in the caf\u00e9, where you also get the key to the gate to the pontoons.<\/p>\n
What is the weather like for sailing in Helsinki?<\/h2>\n
In Finland the wind most frequently comes from the southwest and least often from the northeast. In summer it blows weakest, in winter strongest. On the open sea there are gales with more than 20 metres per second (about force 9) several times a month in autumn and winter; in spring and summer this is rare.<\/p>\n
The Finnish Meteorological Institute issues wind warnings for the sea areas: yellow from 14 metres per second (about 7 Bft) and orange as a gale warning from 21 metres per second (about 9 Bft). From May to October, a strong wind advisory is also issued from as little as 11 metres per second (about 6 Bft).<\/p>\n
Tides in the Baltic Sea amount to only a few centimetres. The water level is changed by wind and air pressure: long spells of westerly winds push water into the Baltic Sea and raise the level by several decimetres.<\/p>\n
Which sailing destinations are near Helsinki?<\/h2>\n
Right off Helsinki lie excursion islands such as Suomenlinna, Vallisaari and Pihlajasaari, and beyond them the open Gulf of Finland begins. Along the coast you can sail east or west through the skerries, and to the south Estonia is within a day's reach. The distances are rounded routes over water on the usual course from the South Harbour; for precise planning, refer to the nautical chart.<\/p>\n
![\"Helsinki](\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-helsinki-dom-hafen-1024x659.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Suomenlinna: around 2 nm. The fortress islands lie right off the city and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guest harbour on Susisaari has 40 berths on boom berths and is open from May to the end of September.<\/li>\n
- Porvoo: around 30 nm eastwards through the skerries and up the river. The guest harbour is on the east bank of the river, about 500 metres from the market square, and you can reach the old town on foot.<\/li>\n
- Inkoo: around 35 nm westwards around the Porkkala peninsula.<\/li>\n
- Tallinn: around 45 nm southwards straight across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital.<\/li>\n
- Hanko: around 70 nm westwards at the southern tip of Finland. The guest harbour in the East Harbour has 220 berths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For a week-long trip, the skerries east and west of the city are a good choice, with a detour to Porvoo or Inkoo. The passage to Tallinn crosses open water and the fairways of the large ferries.<\/p>\n
What can you do on a harbour day in Helsinki?<\/h2>\n
Many attractions are on the water around the South Harbour or on the islands just off it.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Suomenlinna: The sea fortress, spread across several islands off the South Harbour, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A ferry runs there from the market square all year round.<\/li>\n
- Valkosaari: The white wooden pavilion dating from 1900 is a restaurant in summer, even if you are not moored in the guest harbour.<\/li>\n
- Vallisaari: The former military island with its fortress history has three caf\u00e9s and restaurants and its own guest harbour.<\/li>\n
- Pihlajasaari: The former villa island of around 26 hectares consists of two islands linked by a pedestrian bridge. There are sandy and rocky beaches, a restaurant and a sauna.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For skippers: berthing and sea weather in Helsinki<\/h2>\n
At Liuskasaari and MarinaBay you book your berth online, while at Valkosaari you check in at the harbour office after mooring. The fairways off the city are monitored by the Helsinki VTS traffic centre on VHF channel 71, and the harbour control of the Port of Helsinki listens on channel 12.<\/p>\n
Registration and Berthing<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Liuskasaari: You book your berth online and pay there too. The harbour master can be reached on weekdays from about 8:00 to 16:00 on +358 50 5760565. Boats moor to buoys.<\/li>\n
- MarinaBay: You reserve visitor berths online, for which a reservation fee applies. You can reach the harbour by phone on +358 50 544 8008, or by VHF on channel 68.<\/li>\n
- Valkosaari: After mooring, you check in at the harbour office, which is staffed daily from 9 am to 9 pm in season. You can reach the harbour by phone on +358 9 636 047, or by VHF on channel 68.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How much does a visitor berth in Helsinki cost?<\/h3>\n
As things stand (November 2026), the following fees apply in the three visitor harbours:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Valkosaari: \u20ac44 for boats up to 44 feet, \u20ac54 from 45 feet, \u20ac85 alongside. Electricity, water, showers, sauna and the connecting boat are included.<\/li>\n
- Liuskasaari: \u20ac40 per day or \u20ac200 per week, each additional night costs \u20ac20.<\/li>\n
- MarinaBay: per day, depending on boat length, from \u20ac45 (up to 32 feet) to \u20ac120 (60 to 69 feet), one and a half times that alongside. Electricity, water, showers, sauna and laundry room are included.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Harbour rules<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Liuskasaari: Your berth is available from 14:00 on the day of booking, and you leave it by 13:50 the following day. If you have not arrived by 20:00, the harbour may reassign the berth, and fees already paid are not refunded (as at November 2026).<\/li>\n
- MarinaBay: You may not moor at reserved, marked berths without a reservation. The berth is available to you from 2 pm, and on the day of departure you must vacate it by 12 noon. Quiet hours apply from 11 pm to 7 am, and barbecuing and refuelling are prohibited in the harbour.<\/li>\n
- Suomenlinna: With your own boat you may only berth in the guest harbour. Berths are allocated on arrival and cannot be reserved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Approach<\/h3>\n
Large ferries from Stockholm and Tallinn enter the South Harbour and the Katajanokka-Terminal, and cruise ships also berth here. Keep to the edge of the fairway and keep a close eye on the large ships. The fairways off Helsinki are monitored by Helsinki VTS, whose working channel is VHF 71. The harbour control of the Port of Helsinki listens on channel 12.<\/p>\n
You reach the Suomenlinna guest harbour through the fairway between the islands of L\u00e4nsi-Mustasaari and Susisaari. Mooring at other landing stages of the fortress is prohibited and, because of the wash from passing ships, also dangerous.<\/p>\n
Entry and customs<\/h3>\n
If you are coming from Estonia or another EU and Schengen country, there are no customs or border checks on arrival in Helsinki, and you do not have to use any particular fairways. If you are coming directly from a Schengen country outside the EU customs and tax territory, such as Norway, you must call at the nearest border control post.<\/p>\n
Which marine weather forecast applies in Helsinki?<\/h3>\n
The official marine weather forecasts and wind warnings for Finnish sea areas are issued by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (Ilmatieteen laitos). Wind warnings for the sea areas run up to five days ahead, while notices of strong wind apply for 24 hours at most.<\/p>\n
Turku Radio, the maritime radio service of Fintraffic, broadcasts marine weather reports and navigational warnings over VHF along the entire Finnish coast. Turku Radio is staffed around the clock on its channels.<\/p>\n
Sailing trips from Helsinki on T\u00f6rnfinder<\/h2>\n
Im November 2026 gibt es auf T\u00f6rnfinder 1 T\u00f6rntermine in den n\u00e4chsten zw\u00f6lf Monaten mit Start oder Ziel Helsinki.<\/p>\n
Trips throughout the sailing area can be found under Sailing in the Baltic Sea<\/a>, all offers in the trip overview<\/a>. Further west lie the Guest harbour Turku<\/a> in the Archipelago Sea and the Harbours in Mariehamn<\/a> on \u00c5land.<\/p>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Which guest harbour in Helsinki is closest to the centre?<\/h3>\n
MarinaBay on Katajanokka. It is only a short walk from the harbour to the market square, with no connecting boat needed.<\/p>\n
How do I get to the islands of Valkosaari and Liuskasaari?<\/h3>\n
By the connecting boat run by the respective club, which operates in summer. To Valkosaari it departs from the quay just behind the Olympic Terminal, and to Liuskasaari from the landing stage at Merisatamanranta.<\/p>\n
Are there showers in the guest harbours in Helsinki?<\/h3>\n
Yes, Valkosaari, Liuskasaari and MarinaBay have showers and a sauna. In Valkosaari and MarinaBay both are included in the harbour fee, while in Liuskasaari you book the sauna separately.<\/p>\n
Where do I park at the start of the sailing trip in Helsinki?<\/h3>\n
On the mainland, as the islands can only be reached by boat. The nearest car parks are around 450 to 600 metres from the Olympic Terminal, where the connecting boat to Valkosaari departs.<\/p>\n
Where do I buy supplies for the sailing trip in Helsinki?<\/h3>\n
The nearest is an S-market, around 600 metres from the Olympic Terminal. For a larger shop by car, there is a Lidl around 1.2 kilometres away.<\/p>\n
How do I get from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to the centre?<\/h3>\n
By commuter train on lines I and P; the station is directly beneath the terminal. The journey to the centre takes around 30 minutes, and tickets are available in the HSL app or from the machine on the platform.<\/p>\n
Can I reserve a berth in Suomenlinna?<\/h3>\n
No, the 40 berths in the guest harbour on Susisaari are allocated on arrival. The harbour is open from May to the end of September, and there is no fuel available on Suomenlinna.<\/p>\n
Do I need to make a customs declaration for a sailing trip from Tallinn to Helsinki?<\/h3>\n
No. Between Estonia and Finland there are no customs or border checks for pleasure craft, as both countries belong to the EU and the Schengen Area (as of November 2026).<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Die G\u00e4steh\u00e4fen in Helsinki: Anreise, Valkosaari, Liuskasaari und MarinaBay, Parken, Einkauf, Segelwetter und T\u00f6rnziele bis Tallinn.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":1693272,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tf_mag_toernhinweis":"ostsee","footnotes":""},"categories":[536],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1693365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviere-haefen","category-536","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1693365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1693365"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1693365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1694031,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1693365\/revisions\/1694031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1693272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1693365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1693365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1693365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}