The 15 Best Boat Trips in Finland

1.Sightseeing Canal Cruise with Audio Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,299 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $33Our pick

Spend 90 minutes on a comfortable Stromma boat from Helsinki’s Market Square, passing Suomenlinna, Korkeasaari Zoo, icebreakers, and wooded islands before reaching the scenic Degerö Canal. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, borrow a blanket, and buy coffee, sparkling wine, cinnamon buns, or meat pies onboard. Commentary is offered in four languages.

“nice and quiet tour with good oration in different languages, a nice start to the day.”

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2.Helsinki to Tallinn Guided Tour -cruise ticket & pick up included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 485 reviews · 13 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $150

Travel from Helsinki to Tallinn by round-trip ferry, then join a three-hour English walking tour through the Old Town. Expect Viru Gates, St. Catherine’s Passage, the Dominican Monastery, St. Olaf’s Church, Toompea, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Kohtuotsa Viewpoint. Three hours of free time follow for lunch, shopping, and photos.

“As a solo traveller I opt for guided tours when visiting a new city. I ran into a little difficulty at the ferry terminal in Helsinki because I presumed the ticket sent to me would allow me walk straight onto the ship. A little more guidance in advance would have helped. The driver in Helsinki was very friendly and helpful and the guide Yevgeni in Tallinn was a font of local knowledge. Overall it was an excellent day trip, but some more assistance and advice in advance might be beneficial.”

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3.Evening Archipelago Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 468 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $30Best value

From Market Square, Royal Line’s 2.5-hour evening cruise carries you past Suomenlinna, seaside neighborhoods, summer cottages, coves, and Helsinki’s outer islands. Choose open-air or indoor seating, use the onboard Wi-Fi and restroom, and buy drinks or reserve a buffet meal. Bring warm clothes, since the sundeck is exposed and no audio guide is included.

“Lots of places to sit inside and out. Great coverage of sights and islands.”

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4.Helsinki Archipelago: Sightseeing Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Set out from Helsinki’s Market Square for a 90-minute summer cruise through the city’s waterways and nearby islands. You’ll see Suomenlinna, Korkeasaari Zoo, icebreakers, Eira, Katajanokka, and Kruununhaka. Choose the outdoor sun deck or indoor seating, and follow commentary in English, Finnish, or 28 app languages.

“It was very enjoyable - good view from the vessel.”

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5.City Highlights 1.5-Hour Archipelago Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 387 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $33

Cruise Helsinki’s shoreline for 1.5 hours with recorded commentary in English, Finnish, German, and Swedish. You’ll pass Kaivopuisto, Suomenlinna, Korkeasaari Zoo, icebreakers, Eira’s Jugend buildings, Kruunuvuorenranta, Kalasatama, and Katajanokka. Buy coffee, ice cream, or Finnish pulla from the boat café.

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6.Helsinki Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 289 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

From Market Square, cruise Helsinki’s eastern archipelago past Suomenlinna, Korkeasaari Zoo, military islands, icebreakers, and Degerö Canal. You’ll have indoor and outdoor seating, onboard WiFi, a bar, and commentary in English, German, Finnish, and Swedish. The canal route can change if water levels prevent access.

“This quiet electric boat cruise is a great way to see Stockholm from the water. 13 islands make up the center of Stockholm, and our captain Evan and guide Ian gave us a great cruise around the main islands surrounding Old Town. A beautiful ride under the bridges.”

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7.From Stockholm: Overnight Cruise to Helsinki with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 224 reviews · from $107

Take the Tallink Silja Line from Stockholm to Helsinki on a 17-hour overnight cruise. You’ll have a private sea-view cabin for up to four people, breakfast, onboard entertainment, shops, restaurants, bars, and access to wellness facilities. Check in at Värtahamnen at least 45 minutes before departure with your passport or ID card.

“everything went very well until we discovered we were not nooked for dinner even though we had booked and paid for it”

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8.Explore Tallinn: Self-Guided Day Cruise from Helsinki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 212 reviews · 8 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $65

Travel from Helsinki’s West Harbour to Tallinn aboard the Tallink Star or Megastar. Your return ticket, onboard seating, WiFi, restrooms, and a two-hour crossing are included. Choose a schedule with about four or seven hours in Tallinn, then explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, shops, cafés, and streets at your own pace. No guide or hotel transfer is included.

“The guide was very knowledgable in Finnish and Russian history. I enjoyed the tour. He told us about a lot of things about Helsinki that i had no idea about.”

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9.Cruise in Puumala by Lake Saimaa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $96Top rated

Join guide Arto for a relaxed three-hour evening cruise on Lake Saimaa from Puumala. The small group, limited to 10 people, keeps the trip personal and gives you time to ask questions about the lake and its ringed seals. An eco-boat, refreshments, coffee or tea, afternoon tea, and live entertainment are included.

“Lots of information with once in a while a joke. Very good guide who knows a lot of the environment. Really worth its money.”

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10.Helsinki by Bus and Boat 24-Hour Combo Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $58

See Helsinki from two angles with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket and a 1.5-hour canal cruise. Ride past Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument, Temppeliaukio Church, Suomenlinna, Korkeasaari, and Degerö Canal. Audio commentary is available in several languages, with free Wi-Fi and an enclosed bus roof for rainy weather.

“Great experience. Lot of food cafes are available. I would recommend to everyone for day trip.”

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11.Overnight Cruise to Stockholm with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 102 reviews · from $107

Travel from Helsinki’s Olympia Terminal to Stockholm on a Tallink Silja Line overnight ferry. You’ll sleep in a private sea-view cabin, enjoy breakfast while passing through the archipelago, and have access to restaurants, shops, sauna, music, shows, and karaoke. The $107 fare includes your cabin, one-way ticket, breakfast, and onboard entertainment.

“Overall a very pleasant experience. Enjoyed it with family 👍”

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12.Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 100 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $33

Board Royal Line near Helsinki’s Market Square for a coastal cruise past Suomenlinna, Eira, Vasikkasaari, the Zoo Island, and old harbor districts. You’ll get English and Finnish commentary from the loudspeakers, plus an audio guide in up to 28 languages by smartphone. The cruise lasts about 90 minutes in May through September, though some departures run about 60 minutes.

“Tour was good and boat was very nice inside. Tour only lasted 60 minutes, not 90 minutes as advertised.”

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13.Lake Saimaa Small-Group Cruise with Stories and Music

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Join skipper Arto for a 90-minute small-group cruise through Puumala’s Saimaa archipelago. You’ll see the 800-meter Puumala Bridge and strait from the water, hear stories about Finnish culture, enjoy music, and have coffee or tea on board. The boat carries no more than 10 people.

“It was our first trip to Finland. Our boat guide Arto was knowledgeable and friendly. He shared interesting information about Finland. A very pleasant experience”

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14.City and Outer Islands Guided RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $159

Meet your English-speaking crew at Café Marina Bay for a 1.5-hour RIB ride along Helsinki’s waterfront and outer islands. You’ll pass the Presidential Palace, Suomenlinna, Löyly sauna, summer cottages, military islands, and Finland’s icebreakers. A flotation suit, life jacket, and goggles help keep you warm and safe.

“Vielen Dank für diese fantastische Tour :) Wir empfehlen dieses Erlebnis zu 100% weiter. Eine Tour mit dem RIB-Boot darf bei einem Helsinki-Besuch auf keinen Fall fehlen =) Kiitos!”

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15.3-Day Return Cruise to Stockholm & Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 57 reviews · from $147

Sail from Helsinki to Stockholm and back with Tallink Silja Line on a 2.5-day mini cruise. You get two nights in a private sea-view cabin for up to four people, breakfast on both mornings, six hours in Stockholm, and onboard entertainment. Dinner, wellness facilities, shops, and evening shows are available at extra cost or onboard.

“very chill and nice place to relax over the Baltic sea.”

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