Ruhnu Island
Ruhnu saar · Runö
57°48.4'N 23°15.2'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for fair holding on sand/gravel in 2–4m. Gravel patches reduce holding reliability — set anchor very firmly and test. Remote open-water island — conditions can deteriorate rapidly across the Gulf of Riga. Have a plan for deteriorating weather.
About This Anchorage
Ruhnu is Estonia's most remote island — a small (11.5 km²) forested island in the middle of the Gulf of Riga, 50nm from the nearest mainland port. The island has one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in the Baltic (Ruhnu Wooden Church, 1644) and a remarkable history as a Swedish-speaking fishing community that existed here for 600 years before the 1944 evacuation. Today about 100 year-round residents remain, sustained by fishing, a small airstrip (connecting to Pärnu), and summer tourism. The island is visited by a few hundred sailors each year — an authentic adventure destination. The surrounding Gulf of Riga is excellent for fishing (Baltic herring, sea trout) and the island has beautiful pine forest beaches. Navigation to Ruhnu requires crossing 30–50nm of open water in the Gulf of Riga — careful weather planning is essential.
Protected From
W · NW · SW
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; small harbour fee if using jetty
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Respect the small island community. No disturbance at night. Cultural heritage (wooden church) to be treated respectfully.
Hazards
- !Remote open-water crossing required — 30–50nm across open Gulf of Riga; plan weather carefully
- !Exposed harbour — in E or NE conditions above F4, anchorage becomes untenable
- !Gravel bottom patches — holding less reliable than mud; test thoroughly
- !No emergency services on island; rescue would take many hours
- !Gulf of Riga can build steep 2–3m seas in strong SW winds
Skipper's Tips
- →Ruhnu requires genuine passage planning — this is a serious open-water crossing; check 72-hour forecast
- →The 1644 wooden church is one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in the Baltic — extraordinary
- →Only about 100 people live here year-round — the island has genuine frontier character
- →Fishing in the surrounding Gulf of Riga is exceptional — Baltic herring, sea trout, pike-perch
- →The island airstrip means evacuation is possible if weather deteriorates seriously — charter flights to Pärnu
Facilities
Minimal facilities. Small guesthouse occasionally open. Airstrip connects to Pärnu (charter flights). Bring all provisions for self-sufficiency.
Nearest provisions: Pärnu (charter flight or 6hr sail to Kihnu) (60nm)
Best Months & Season
Jul, Aug
July–August only. Remote island crossing — experienced sailors only. Weather window essential. One of Estonia's most adventurous sailing destinations.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In the shallow Gulf of Riga, wave heights build rapidly in strong winds. A dragging anchor can put you aground quickly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously while you rest.
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