On calm days, an excursion out to one of Åland’s lighthouses is idyllic, almost magical. However, it’s a different story during storms and rough weather; then it’s easy to understand why there are so many wrecks in the sea around Åland.
Try to imagine how the lighthouse keepers lived out here on these islands, especially during the winter. At Lågskär lighthouse, they lived together with their families. At most, some 30 people lived on the island.
Guided boat tours to the white and slender lighthouse of Sälskär island in the northern archipelago start from Skarpnåtö in Hammarland and Snäckö in Geta. The lighthouse was manned from 1868 to 1949, when it was made the first automated lighthouse in Finland.
The Märket lighthouse is neither tall nor stately, but it is captivating how it clings to its remote, rocky island. When the winds pick up, waves crash over the entire island. The lighthouse was inaugurated in 1885 and automated in 1976.
Wreck diving
The sea around Åland is a treasure trove for wreck divers. The number of well-preserved and intact wrecks is high, thanks to unique diving legislation of Åland. Down among the wrecks, it feels as if time has stood still, with all the details and items in place as they were on the day the ship sank to the bottom of the sea.
The schooner Balder, the steamship Belliver and the iron barque Plus are just a few examples. Since The Plus resembles the sailing ship Pommern, you can add an extra dimension to your diving experience by starting with a tour on the Pommern’s deck before diving to the Plus for similar views beneath the surface.
Always book your diving excursion through one of the diving guides in Åland. They have extensive knowledge of dive sites and the history of the wrecks, as well as of the permits required for diving.
