Lauttasaari

About this spot

Lauttasaari is the home spot of Helsinki's kitesurfers: the island's western shore faces the open Gulf of Finland and catches the city's best wind, just ten minutes from the centre. On a good SW day the local fleet is out in force — it is the most social and most accessible session in Finland.

SW, W and S winds come in off the open gulf and work best, bringing a proper chop and small waves. E and NE winds come over the city and the archipelago and are gusty and unreliable. The launch is from a small rocky-and-grass shore — there is no real beach, so confident kite handling is essential — and the water deepens quickly over a bottom of rock and stone. Skerries and boat traffic surround the area: keep clear of the fairways and watch for rocks marked and unmarked. The water is cold; even in August the Gulf of Finland is around 16–18 °C.

Access is via the Lauttasaari bridge; parking is limited near the shore and the launch area is small, so come prepared and be courteous to locals. No facilities on the spot itself, but all of Helsinki's services are minutes away. For confident intermediates and experts — the rocky launch and deep water make it unsuitable for first lessons.