Harakka Nature Centre offers a lot to see and experience
Harakka island provides an easy way to discover Helsinki’s archipelago nature. The sea voyage from Ullanlinnanlaituri marina to Harakka takes only a few minutes. The island has a nature centre that is open to everyone.
The Nature House’s archipelago nature exhibition is an excellent starting point for your island excursion. Be sure to also check out the Litter Trail, a new checkpoint route about the impacts of litter on nature. The nature centre also has loupes and binoculars that you can borrow and microscopes that you can use to examine plankton.
The archipelago birdlife is easy to observe from the island’s birdwatching platform and bird hide. If you are more interested in the fish species found in the Baltic Sea, you can check out the brackish aquariums in the aquarium shed, which opens at the end of May. Children can also learn about underwater life through play at fairy tale house Vellamo, which offers costumes to try on and new stuffed sea life to enhance the experience.
Free guided tours and events suitable for the whole family
Harakka Nature Centre organises free nature tours and island adventure tours for children on the island. On Saturdays, you can also take part in a one-hour tour of the island with a weekend guide. The tours do not require advance registration and start in front of the Nature Centre when the ferry arrives at Harakka island’s marina.
During your visit to the island, you can also check out the changing exhibitions of the island’s artists. On Helsinki Day, 12 June, the Nature Centre and the artists will organise an event for the whole family with free transportation. In the autumn, 7 September, the nature centre will also organise a fish day for the whole family, which will teach participants everything about fish, from different species to cooking.
Early summer nature experiences on the birds’ terms
On Harakka island, life follows the rhythm of nature. Some parts of the island's trails are temporarily closed during the bird nesting season. The goose guide provides tips on how to move on the island during the nesting season, and you can also find the latest information on the island’s notice board. During the bird nesting season, 1 April–15 August, the protected southern tip of the island is closed off to visitors.
Harakka island can be reached by ferry from Ullanlinnanlaituri marina in Kaivopuisto (Ehrenströmintie 3). The ferry departs to the island approximately every half hour. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the island.