Il Dolce Far Niente: Sea kayaking to Rövargrundet island, Gulf of Finland

June 2011

Did a 2-day sea kayaking trip to Rövargrundet island, in Espoo archipelago, Gulf of Finland. In addition to staying overnight on the remote island, had two paddling targets; first visit small treeless islands which were outmost ones within the archipelago and secondly to paddle passing Espoo archipelago's numerous islands and 'channels' when returning.

Paddled 22km on Fri 10th and 35km on Sat 11th, so altogether 57km.

Until now, there had been very little leisure boat traffic on waters. It seemed that these hot weather days in Finland had changed that. Huge amount of boats were flying here and there, mostly as fast as possible.

Here's paddled route, including both two days (View Larger Map):

Day 1
Temperature was way too high. Wind at club house was moderate, cooling slightly. After paddled under bridges of Lauttasaari island wind stopped almost totally. I still wore a drysuit, black colored, and it really started to heat me.

First passed Melkki, a military island, and circled some small islands south and south west of it. I think I'm simply in love of these treeless islands. At this time of the year they are protected by angry sea gulls but once they get their babies off, you'll be allowed to land in them safely. Only very few of these islands have some flat space so that you'd be able to set up a tent in them, a pity.

The next mark on my map was Torra Lövö island. Another beauty with some trees. On the following treeless islands there were some swans in their nests, ducks taught their babies how to move smoothly on waters. Sea gulls made some offending attacks towards me, reminding I was on their territory, no on mine.

Bypassing Gåsgrund island and via some heavily bird populated islands arrived at Rövargrundet island. Immediately after landing, got off the drysuit plus all other clothes and jumped into the sea for swimming. It was cold but not SO cold! I think that concluded the season of drysuit until autumn time.

First two hours I was the only human being in there. During the evening more people came there to do some barbecue just for the sake of it. Some photographers came by a small boat and shooted some hours of photos while the sun started to set. Tried to get some sleep but the tent was like a sauna. Half moon was very nice after 1AM.

A shaped beauty

Two islands, a sky and me

Heading towards Torra Lövö island, not in a great hurry particularly

Newcomers bypassing a lighthouse

Aah

Yet another 'Aah'

I know you're gone after July

Rövergrundet island

Landed

Lovely

Heja Sverige!

Snow balls

Towards south-west

Life's tough

Joan Miro's been here?

Hours till sunset

Paddling towards Skorvö island

Pressed 'take a photo button' from a camera

Rysäkari island on the background

Mr and Mrs

The Base Camp

Day 2
Nice sunny morning, not too hot. I don't know why but usually during my trips I cook and eat a big breakfast; porridge, a pot of coffee, some sandwich, yogurt, orange juice, banana, fried egg ...

Started to paddle about 8:30AM. Headed first to see Rövaren and Kaparen islands from east side. Then circled Stora Herrö island, before headed to Medvastö island. There are a couple of narrow, channel type of routes to paddle.

Wind had started to raise and was moderate now, mostly headwind. After Medvastö, headed to Suvisaaristo. Suvisaaristo, a group of islands in Espoo archipelago is nice, but too full of houses and summer cottages. There's practically no place for landing. Not nice when the nature calls you.

During the rest of the trip the only noticeable thing was big cross waves while passed Miessaari Peninsula. Annoying thing with lots of traffic.

Rövargrundet was a small island. It's nice but can be crowdy on a hot summer day.