Saltkaret Observation Tower
Saltkaret
A 20-metre tar-black wooden tower beside Björkö's Replot harbour, with views over the World Heritage archipelago, bays and red fishermen's cottages.
Saltkaret Observation Tower is a 20-metre wooden tower coated in black tar, about 800 metres from Replot harbour on Björkö, beside the Bodviken Nature Trail. Its name means 'salt jar.' It is the most iconic viewpoint of the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site. From the top you can look out over scattered low islands, shallow bays and the red fishermen's cottages of the harbour. The harbour has a World Heritage information point, a café and boathouses, and in summer boat tours head out to sea from here. Several short nature trails and boardwalks run through the surrounding area. The tower is free to visit. It is about 45 km from Vaasa, roughly 50 minutes by car via the Replot Bridge. Combine it with cycling in the archipelago or the Bodviken trail and plan for half a day to a full day.
Opening hours
Open all day (harbor facilities about 10:00–18:00 in summer)
Nearby sights
- Kvarken Archipelago
- Replot Bridge
- Tropiclandia
- Hietasaari (Sandö)
- Ostrobothnian Museum
- Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art
- Tikanoja Art Museum
- Holy Trinity Church, Vaasa