Nötö

Not to be confused with Noto, a town in Sicily.

Nötö is an island and village in the Archipelago Sea, in the centre of the quite open archipelago south of Nagu.

Understand

The Nötö village

Nötö is the main island of an island group in the middle of the archipelago south of Nagu and Korpo, thus in the middle of the Archipelago Sea National Park (see Archipelago Sea). In its heyday it had some 200 inhabitants, now down to half a dozen year-round inhabitants – but in summer the population on the 4 km² (1.5 sq mi) explodes. Its grocery store and pension have been struggling, every few years threatened to get closed, with community support or a new enthusiastic owner saving them for some more years. Its central position makes it important for yacht sailors, popular for its beauty and service.

The former coast guard station on Bodö 5 km to the south has been transformed to a guest marina with café, bistro, sauna and overnighting facilities.

Get in

Nötö lies some 25 km south from 1 Pärnäs on the main island of Nagu. Pärnäs is on Skärgårdsvägen, with coach connection from Turku a few times daily.

The ferry M/S Baldur from Pärnäs to Utö calls at the 2 Nötö quay both ways, more or less daily. During the season a day trip is possible some days, other days the ferry stays overnight at Utö. In season M/S Nordep on Nagu southern route from 3 Kirjais calls at Bodö.

Taxi boats are available, if you want some other schedule. The closest pier with road and coach access is at 4 Korpoström.

• Aspö Charter (most conveniently from Pärnäs, Nagu, or Korpoström, Korpo), ☏ +358 400-669-865. 

Nötö has a central location for those boating in the Archipelago National Park. The harbour is small, but most stay only for a quick shopping and sightseeing tour, overnighting elsewhere. Don't occupy the ferry quay. There is a larger guest harbour on Bodö, south of Nötö, with bistro and café. See below.

The main boating fairway through the Archipelago Sea leads west–east 7 nautical miles north of Nötö. The 10-m fairway from the open sea via Utö towards Turku passes 2 nautical miles west of Nötö. There is also a host of other fairways. The 2.4/3.0-m fairway east of Nötö leads through the sound by the Bodö harbour. Between Nötö main harbour and Bodö you might want to use the leading line of the 10-m fairway to avoid the shallows off Bånholm.

Get around

Aerial view

Nötö is small enough for walking. If you have bikes, they can be useful if you are making a short visit, for quicker getting to the chapel or the other side of the island.

See

• 1 Nötö kapell. Wooden chapel from the 19th century.  

Do

Nature trail with a fascinating singing stone, Klockarsten.

Buy

The harbour and Nötöboden

• 1 Nötöboden. Daily, off season according to ferry timetables and by request. Grocery store, open year round since 2022. As can be expected in such an off location, the owner can help also with more odd requests, at least in less busy days. Want to hire a yurt? Advice on permaculture? Feel like playing the piano? Need a room for some work? In summer the location is perfect to serve yachters in the southern Archipelago Sea, so expect a more crowded experience. (updated Feb 2022)

Eat

Meals probably available at the pension (closed?).

• Nötö Hembageri, ☏ +358 400-897-566. in season. Small-scale bakery. Calling in advance may be useful. 
• 1 Bodö BistroCafé (Bodö, see Sleep below), info@bodo.fi. Mostly burgers with local touch. Beer, wine etc. Home-made buns and pastries. For special diets, big groups or other special requirements, send a mail a day in advance if possible, to facilitate arrangements. €17, children €10–12. (updated Feb 2022)

Drink

• Cafe Skolan. Summer café in the community centre, the former school. 

Sleep

• Yurts of Nötöboden (see above).
• Pension (closed?)
• Bodö (nearby island), ☏ +358 50-544-7300 (also SMS/Whatsapp), info@bodo.fi. April–September?. Guest harbour at a former coast guard station. Private floating sauna €40/hr. (updated Feb 2022)
  • 5 Guest harbour (harbour number 795; keep a good distance to the rock by the northern shore of the bay entrance). Berth depth 1.5–2.4 m. Anchoring forbidden. No reservations. Welcome coffee, sauna (book; 17:00–21:00), dry toilets, dish washing facilities, Wi-Fi and garbage disposal included. Fresh bread rolls to the boat at 09:00 if ordered before 20:00. Use MobilePay or cash (exact change) off season, otherwise also cards accepted. Off-season service limited to berth, dry toilet and waste disposal. €27, electricity +€2; off season €15. (updated Feb 2022)
  • B&B. Double rooms in the coast guard station building. Sauna in the evening. Single €60, double €105, children 4–12 €35, baby bed €15; with own sleeping bag and linen €40/person. (updated Feb 2022)
  • Tentsile. Outdoor hammock tent overnighting. Sleeping bag, linen, sauna and breakfast included. Double €100, triple €150. (updated Feb 2022)

Go next

• Neighbouring 1 Aspö
• 2 Jurmo and 3 Utö farther out, far more barren.