Vilsandi National Park

The Baltic Sea comprises 2/3 of Vilsandi National Park; the rest consists of 160 islands, peninsulas, and inlets. The highlight of the park is Vilsandi Island. Vilsandi, located on the west coast of Saaremaa, was set up to protect sensitive coastal and island habitats.

With the help of a local guide, you can move from one island to another by wading through the shallow sea. Bare your toes, roll up your pant legs, and let the seabed massage your soles.

You can also explore the area around the islands and shoals by boat—calm waves and short distances make Vilsandi National Park ideal for kayak trips. Keep an eye out for seals lounging on the beaches!

Geology fans will find limestone outcrops rich in fossils and petrified corals, and rare plant species will charm botany lovers. Vilsandi is home to over 30 species of orchids as well as the endemic Saaremaa yellow rattle.

Vilsandi National Park is also an outstanding birdwatching destination. You’ll find Steller’s eider there from December to April. It’s their most important wintering grounds in the EU, making it a popular spot for European birdwatchers. In early spring, the sky over Vilsandi is thick with feathers— thousands of white-cheeked barnacle geese and other seabirds arrive in flocks.

If you are not afraid of long walks, you can explore the shifting dunes on the Harilaiu Peninsula. The Kiipsaare lighthouse stands in the sea near the peninsula’s western shore, leaning like the island’s own leaning tower of Pisa.

What to do:

• Climb the 130-year-old Vilsandi lighthouse for a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

• Head to the Harilaiu Peninsula, a unique landscape shaped by winds and waves and home to various wildlife and bird species.

• Discover pristine coral reefs and the best seal-watching spots on a guided tour.