Haparanda Skargard National Park

The park covers Sandskar, Seskar Furo and a scatter of smaller islands and skerries at the northern end of the Baltic, where the water is so diluted by river inflow that it is nearly fresh - which gives an odd mix of freshwater and marine species and a shore flora unlike anywhere further south. The islands are low, sandy and rising fast out of the sea - all of them have emerged within the last 1,500 years or so, and the land still rises about 8.5 millimetres a year. Sandskar has long sand beaches, a fishing hamlet with old cabins and a chapel, and a boardwalk trail. Birds use the islands heavily on passage. There is no scheduled boat, so access means your own craft or a charter, and the bay freezes solid in winter.

The landscape

• Nearly fresh sea water - a mix of freshwater and marine species.
• Low sandy islands - rising fast out of the bay.
• A fishing hamlet on Sandskar - old cabins and a chapel.
• Heavy bird passage - through the outer skerries.

When to go

July and August. A full day or overnight.

Practical notes

There is no scheduled boat - you need your own or a charter. The bay can turn rough quickly. Facilities are minimal and there is no shop. Mosquitoes are severe.

Nearby

Haparanda and Tornio are on the mainland; Seskaro is west.

Key facts