Vilsandi National Park
Vilsandi rahvuspark · Vilsandi island
58°23.0'N 21°48.7'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. National park — anchor with care to avoid seagrass beds. In E winds above F4, this anchorage becomes untenable — proceed to Kuressaare.
About This Anchorage
Vilsandi National Park encompasses the westernmost part of Saaremaa and a chain of outer islands, protecting one of the most important seabird colonies in the Baltic — over 100,000 pairs of eider ducks breed here annually. The park was established in 1971 as the Soviet Union's first marine protected area. The Vilsandi lighthouse (1931) is a striking red-and-white tower on the island's western tip. Landing is permitted in parts of the island but core seabird areas are strictly off-limits Apr–Jul. The underwater meadows of stonewort and eelgrass are in exceptional condition due to the low-salinity Baltic water. Visiting sailors must register with the national park authority.
Protected From
W · NW · SW
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- National park fee may apply; contact park authority
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- National park entry — register with Vilsandi NP authority. Seabird colony areas strictly closed Apr 1 – Jul 31.
Restrictions: Core seabird areas closed Apr 1 – Jul 31; no anchoring on seagrass beds; stay on marked paths ashore; no fires permitted.
Hazards
- !Seabird colony closures Apr 1 – Jul 31 — significant portions of island inaccessible
- !Shallow rocky approaches from west — use Estonian chart E1 or equivalent; many unmarked rocks
- !Open to E and NE — uncomfortable in easterly conditions; no shelter from those quadrants
- !Remote location — nearest fuel and provisions at Kuressaare (28nm)
- !Eelgrass and stonewort beds — anchor with care; dragging anchor can destroy protected habitat
Skipper's Tips
- →Best visited August when seabird restrictions lift and weather is most stable
- →The lighthouse can be visited in summer — register at the park office first
- →Eider ducks are the park's signature species — staggering numbers visible in late summer
- →The outer rocks west of Vilsandi give a genuine sense of the open Baltic — dramatic in any sea state
- →Moonlit nights here are extraordinary in midsummer — very little light pollution
Facilities
No facilities on Vilsandi island. Nearest provisions at Kuressaare (28nm).
Nearest provisions: Kuressaare (28nm)
Best Months & Season
Jul, Aug
July–August only (seabird restrictions make earlier visits difficult). National park open year-round but visitor facilities May–Sep only. Remote outer island — monitor weather carefully.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
In the shallow bays of the West Estonian Archipelago, anchor drag in an unfamiliar cove can put you aground before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS