Bockhamn

Bockhamn is an old nature reserve harbour in a lagoon-like bay on Byö island, just off Sarvisalo in the Lovisa archipelago in Finland. Described as a world class nature harbour, it makes for a popular day-trip destination or a stopping-off point on longer voyages, with a history reaching back to Viking times, when the bay is thought to have been used as a stopover on expeditions towards Russia.

Entry to the bay is gained via a surprisingly narrow channel that can go unnoticed without precise knowledge of its location. The water depth is 3-4 metres in the strait, while the bay itself is slightly shallower at 2-3 metres at its centre, with a soft, muddy bottom. The harbour is a safe place to stay overnight no matter how rough the sea may be outside, as the bay is mostly sheltered by the surrounding woodland.

Jetties at two sites within the bay make mooring easy, and there is a campfire site and a toilet. The campfire site may only be used when no wildfire warning is in force, and dogs must be kept on a leash. Bockhamn is also well suited to paddlers, who will find shallow beaches for landing.

On the island, walking tracks are narrow and include some rough terrain - a nice way to stretch your legs after the sail. Moor up at the jetties in this historic and scenic bay with roots stretching back to the Viking age.