Kvarken Archipelago
Merenkurkun saaristo / Kvarkens skärgård
A World Natural Heritage archipelago shaped by post-glacial land uplift, rising about 8 mm a year. De Geer moraine ridges run in parallel rows across it.
Kvarken Archipelago lies northwest of Vaasa and is made up of thousands of low, flat islands. It was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2006, as an extension of the High Coast of Sweden. After the ice sheet retreated, the land kept rebounding, rising about 8 mm a year. The coastline keeps extending outward, and new islands continue to emerge from the water. The De Geer moraine ridges left by the retreating ice sheet run in parallel bands, making this one of the most typical observation sites in the world. The core area lies around Replot and Björkö islands, with several wooden boardwalks and nature trails, including the Bodvattnet Trail. In summer, you can cycle, kayak or take boat trips out to sea. It is about 40 minutes’ drive from Vaasa. Bus services are very infrequent, so driving or renting a bicycle is recommended.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Saltkaret Observation Tower
- Replot Bridge
- Tropiclandia
- Hietasaari (Sandö)
- Ostrobothnian Museum
- Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art
- Tikanoja Art Museum
- Holy Trinity Church, Vaasa