Brändö
Brando · Brändö island · Brändö Åva harbour
60°24.6'N 21°02.9'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding in mud/sand in 3–6m. Good shelter in westerly and northerly conditions. In easterly conditions above F3, the bay is exposed — use the more sheltered inner harbour basin.
About This Anchorage
Brändö is the northernmost archipelago municipality in the Turku region and a crucial waypoint on the sailing route between Turku and the Åland Islands. The island is administratively part of Åland (autonomous territory) but geographically positioned in the northern Turku Archipelago — the cultural transition between Finnish and Swedish sailing traditions is palpable here. The Åva harbour serves both the local community and the year-round ferry service to Åland (Kumlinge and Föglö). The anchorage at Åva is functional with reasonable shelter and adequate services. The surrounding waters are typical northern archipelago — more open and exposed than the southern islands, with the characteristic granite landscape and pine forests.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; harbour quay fee approx €15–20/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Åland territory — Åland regulations apply; active ferry terminal at Åva — anchor clear of ferry approach; bird sanctuary restrictions in outer areas Apr 1 – Jul 15.
Hazards
- !Active ferry terminal — anchor clear of ferry approach lane
- !Open to east and NE — northerly archipelago, more exposed than southern inner islands
- !Rocks and shoals — the northern archipelago has complex navigation; use Finnish and Åland charts
- !No fuel on island
- !Transition zone between Turku and Åland charts — carry both series
Skipper's Tips
- →Brändö marks the cultural and administrative transition from Finland to Åland — a fascinating boundary community worth exploring
- →The ferry timetable from Åva to Åland is a useful weather indicator — if ferries are running, conditions are passable
- →From Brändö, Kumlinge (Åland) is only 10nm north across the inner sound — an easy morning sail to begin the Åland circuit
- →The northern archipelago around Brändö is less visited than the southern outer islands — good birdwatching and fewer yachts
- →Provision at Turku before this passage — the village shop has only basics; Mariehamn (35nm west) has the next full provisioning
Facilities
Small shop at Åva village (seasonal). Ferry connections to Åland. Water at harbour. No fuel — nearest at Turku or Mariehamn.
Nearest provisions: Åva village shop (seasonal) or Turku (48nm SE) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Northern position gives earlier ice clearance in some years. Key waypoint on the Turku–Åland passage. Ferry connection year-round for emergency logistics.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In the labyrinthine Turku Archipelago, anchor drag in an unfamiliar cove can put you on rocks before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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