Gotska Sandon National Park

Gotska Sandon lies about forty kilometres north of Fårö with nothing around it, an island of sand built on a moraine core, covered in pine forest and ringed by dunes and beach - there is no rock shoreline anywhere on it. It has been a national park since 1909, covers about 36 square kilometres, nine long and six wide, and has a grey seal colony on its north side. There is no harbour: passengers are landed from the boat by small craft through the surf, which means a swell cancels the trip, and once ashore the only accommodation is a small hostel, cabins and a campsite with limited places. Nobody lives there permanently apart from wardens in season. The insect and fungus lists are long because the dead pine is left standing.

Highlights

• An island of sand and pine - no rock shore at all.
• Dunes and beach all round - the whole perimeter.
• No harbour - landing through the surf by small boat.
• A park since 1909 - with wardens only in season.

When to go

June to August, when boats run. Two to four days.

Good to know

Trips are cancelled by swell regularly - allow flexibility. Accommodation is very limited and must be booked far ahead. There is no shop; bring food. Once there you stay until the next boat.

Nearby

Fårö and Gotland are south; open Baltic in every other direction.

Key facts