On Sunday evening we arrived into the island of Sottunga in Åland archipelago. Sottunga is the smallest municipality in Finland and probably in EU as well. There are just above 110 inhabitants.

On Sunday evening we arrived into the island of Sottunga in Åland archipelago. Sottunga is the smallest municipality in Finland and probably in EU as well. There are just above 110 inhabitants. People in Sottunga are really friendly. Brits from neighbour yacht Goodwill were surprised when locals stopped the car just to talk with them. We noticed the same on our bike trip on Monday. We really felt welcome over there.

Sottunga harbour in Åland
Sottunga harbour in Åland

Suwena in Sottunga
Suwena in Sottunga

We noticed that Sottunga municipality has arranged the habitant services very well. Despite its size there are for example a shop, a post office, a bank, a health center and even an emergency helicopter pad. We cycled the island it was again nice to admire well kept courtyards. We noticed that the people of Åland keep their islands in good condition already when we visited Jurmo island two years ago.

We also were positively surprised about bicycle park in the harbour where anybody can lend a bike to go to visit the shop three kilometers away. We dug out our own foldable tandem from inside the Suwena and went for the island tour.

Boat storage houses in Sottunga
Boat storage houses in Sottunga

Summer season starts in guest harbour only at 1st of June and the dock was not ready yet. Therefore we moored at the old ship dock. During the night we had quite a lot of swell due to the wind changing direction and us being on outer side. Suwena however swung nicely and we got a good sleep.
We found an interesting historical tidbit from municipality’s own web page that is a worthwhile reading.
Sottunga's harbour is prepared for summer
Sottunga’s harbour is prepared for summer

On Tuesday it was a time to move forward. As we got her ready to go a barge carrying a cottage moored just behind us. It took us some time to figure out how to leave without the barge’s sharp edged bow ramp damaging our pilothouse or bimini. When the wind is 10 m/s straight from the side the side thrusters do not have enough force to move the boat directly against the wind. We decided to use the bow spring. The captain engaged the forward gear and Suwena’s stern got away from the dock. Then he applied a full throttle backwards and we were successfully out, turning towards the Degerby island.

Sottunga 29.5. – 31.5.

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