NOLLA

Getting to the island

FRS's Western Archipelago Route operates to Vasikkasaari from June 24 to August 10, 2025, Tuesday through Sunday, and from August 16 to September 7, 2025, on Saturdays and Sundays. The waterbus departs from Kalasatama’s Parrulaituri at 17:45, and the return trip leaves Vasikkasaari at 17:05 back to Kalasatama. Full schedules and any changes can be found here. The booking confirmation serves as your boat ticket.

On other days, we provide transportation to and from the island with a smaller boat from the city center area. The departure point will be announced well in advance of your stay. Boat transport for two people is included in the accommodation price. Check-in is available from 18:00 onwards, and check-out is at 16:45 on the day of departure. The walking distance from the ferry dock to the cabins is approximately 300 meters. A map of the island is available in Nolla’s user guide here.

Vasikkasaari is also an ideal destination for boaters. The islands of Lonna and Suomenlinna are close by. The boat trip from Vasikkasaari to Lonna takes just a few minutes, and Suomenlinna is reachable in under ten minutes. Suomenlinna also has a grocery store.

If you arrive with your own boat, you may use the guest pier on the eastern side of the island. The guest dock has finger pier berths, but the mooring and finger berths at the main pier are reserved for those with bookings. You may also reach the island by kayak from Stansvik. Choose a kayak from Stansvik from the additional services when booking and pick it up at Restaurant Stansvik by showing your booking confirmation.

About the Nolla Cabins

The price of the cabin includes accommodation for two people. While the cabin is best suited for two guests, it can also comfortably accommodate, for example, two adults and two children. The beds can be combined to form a larger sleeping area, allowing guests to sleep side by side. The cabins are equipped with high-quality pillows and duvets. Please remember to bring your own bed linens or select them as an add-on when making your reservation. If you are planning to stay with a group of 3–4 people, please remember to select the additional guest option from the list of add-ons when booking.

The Nolla cabins on Vasikkasaari are just a few minutes’ walk from the boat dock. The path to the cabins first crosses rocky terrain and then continues along a sandy trail. Unfortunately, Vasikkasaari is not accessible for people with limited mobility, as the paths are narrow and partially uneven. Cabins 4 and 5 are pet-friendly. The other Nolla cabins are pet-free. Each cabin has its own private terrace.

All Nolla cabins have an electric socket, with power available depending on weather conditions for charging small devices. Cabins also include a stove and a heater. Please note that there is no refrigerator. Staying in a Nolla cabin is made easy with cooking utensils and reusable tableware provided. After your stay, please make sure to sort and recycle waste properly and bring your dishes to the collection point near the pier.

It is very important that you leave the Nolla cabin clean for the next visitors. We will send you a link to Nolla’s user guide five days before your trip. The link is also available below the booking calendar. Please take time to read the guide carefully in advance.

History of the island

From 1853 to 1918, Vasikkasaari was under the control of the Russian military. The island’s brick and stone structures date back to the Crimean War (1853–1856). Several plant species also arrived during that period with the Russian troops and have since become a natural part of the island's ecosystem.

In 1918, Vasikkasaari and the military supplies left behind by Russian forces were transferred to the ownership of the Finnish state. In February 1919, a devastating explosion occurred on the island: a large oil tank caught fire and triggered a chain of explosions in the island’s ammunition depots. The blast was so powerful that it was heard as far away as Tallinn and Heinola. The explosion destroyed all wooden buildings on the island and damaged brick structures, including the guardhouse.

Since 1946, Vasikkasaari has served as a summer accommodation area for Finnish Defence Forces personnel and various union members. At its peak, the island housed 176 summer cottages. The City of Helsinki acquired the island in 1963. Today, there are 51 summer cottages located in the northern and eastern parts of the island.

Activities and sights on the island

Vasikkasaari is full of fascinating history and surprising details. The White House, built in the 1800s and located on the island’s western cliffs, serves as a landmark and offers stunning views of the Helsinki skyline and Suomenlinna. In the southern part of the island, you’ll find an old oil tank with unique acoustics and atmosphere. In the central area lies an overgrown pond, bordered by remnants of an old stone wall known as the "Great Wall of China."

Two marked walking trails cross the island: one highlights historical sites, and the other, A Moment for Yourself, invites visitors to relax and focus on wellbeing. The trails traverse varied terrain and are best suited for those wearing sturdy footwear. (links)

The sheltered waters of the inner archipelago provide excellent conditions for water activities. You can rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP board from Nolla for your stay. All of our water equipment is high-quality, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Life jackets are included in the rental. Please always wear a life jacket while on the water and act responsibly.

There is a city-maintained barbecue area on Vasikkasaari. Please ensure that the fire is completely extinguished when you leave. Lighting a fire anywhere else on the island is strictly prohibited.

Practical information

The diverse nature of Vasikkasaari is a valuable part of the Helsinki archipelago, and every visitor has a responsibility to help preserve it for future generations. Please stay on marked trails when moving around the island. Vasikkasaari is a public recreational area, so there may be other visitors present during your stay. The island also has several privately owned summer cottages — please respect the privacy and peace of other guests.

There are dry toilets reserved exclusively for Nolla guests located near the cabins. In addition, the island has several public dry toilets. Next to Nolla's toilet, there is a handwashing station that can be refilled with water from the nearby storage area.

Please note that there are no services, staff, or running water on the island. The terrain can also be challenging in places. The shuttle boat drops guests off at the pier and returns the following day, so make sure to bring enough drinking water and food. If you have health issues, we do not recommend staying overnight on the island.

And most importantly — remember that Nolla is not a hotel, but a complete nature experience. Pack a generous amount of adventure spirit in your backpack!