From the shores of Raahe to the sea

Raahe has many harbours or beaches from which it is convenient to go out to sea. I have marked on the map the starting points that I have used so far. All these destinations are very easily accessible by car, eliminating the need to carry paddling equipment over long distances.

I went to check out the places circled in red on 11.5.2024. The temperature was a whopping +3 degrees Celsius, the sea was still frozen in places and the wind was strong. It was not difficult to stay ashore waiting for the weather and sea water to warm up. I started the tour from the southernmost beach, Lapaluoto.

**The starting points are marked with red circles and the islands with green circles.**

LAPALUOTO FISHING HARBOUR

Address: Helmilaiturintie 69, 92180 Raahe

In Lapaluoto behind the fish shop there is a long pier with a view towards Pikku-Kraasel. There is another pier next door, the use of which requires keys.

I myself have launched from the boat ramp on the opposite side of the headland. At its bottom, however, there are often reeds and other rontos carried from the sea. If you don’t let that get in the way, the starting point is excellent. The nearby island is Kumpele – and Iso-Kraaselika is not far away.

**Boat launch in Lapaluodo. The nearest island is Kumpele.**

VARVI BEACH

Address: Varvintie 51, 92100 Raahe

From Varvi I have started touring at least Little Kraasel. From the sandy beach it is easy to slip to the sea.

Varvi is closest to Little Kraaseli and behind it on the left looms Iso-Kraaseli with its yellow pilot cabins.

**Closest to the sandy beach of Varvi you can see Pikku-Kraaseli and further back Iso-Kraaseli with its pilot huts.**

THOMPSON BEACH

Address: Merikuja, 92100 Raahe

There is a guest harbour on the shore of Thompson, the address of which is listed by the Raahe.fi website as Merikuja and the vierasvenesatamat.fi website as Pikiruukinkatu. For those coming from the sea, the following details are also available:

Location: 64°41′, 24°27.9′
Port code: 1878
Depth: 1,2 m
Fastening: flank

On Thompson’s shore there is a pier from which I have sometimes set off. I used to slip into the sea from time to time between the pier and the SUP board (on this Thompson pier I haven’t managed to do that yet). I prefer wading starting points until the water is warm enough.

More often than not, I’ve gone canoeing on Thompson’s shore from this spot, which is like a boat launch. The beach is a bit rocky, so it has been more comfortable to move around with slippers than barefoot.

PIKKULAHTI BEACH

Address: Ulkofantintie 18, 92100 Raahe

In addition to a large sandy beach, Pikkulahti has a canoeing centre Lappis (in Finnish only) and a winter swimming area. There are opportunities for all kinds of dry land activities nearby, if the sea doesn’t seem tempting you to adventure. In addition to the beach fields and beach football field, the newest addition is an outdoor gym where you can break a sweat before taking a dip.

**The Pikkulahti canoeing pier was still on winter tracks on 11th of May.**

KYLMÄNIEMI BEACH

Address: Kylmäniementie 2, 92100 Raahe

There was still a bit of sea ice left on Kylmäniemi and snow on the shore – how else! From the sandy beach it is easy to go out to sea when the time is right. SUP Siniaalto organises, for example, SUP canoeing courses in Kylmäniemi.

The water was low in the canal connecting Kylmäniemi and Pikkulahti.

On 11th of May the water was low in the canal starting from Kylmäniemi.

MIKONKARI

Address: Mikonkarintie (the road ends at the beak of the cape), 92140 Pattijoki, Raahe

It is about half a kilometer from the Mikonkari headland to Konikari and a few kilometers to Tasku, with a pook rising in the background. The water was very low on 11.5., so the rocky seabed was clearly visible.

**Closest to Mikonkari is Konikari and in the background Tasku with its pooks.**

From the southern shore of the peninsula I have sometimes gone on a sea trip or paddled there to take a drink break. At this point on the beach there are both sand and rocks. Mikonkari is also a nice place for water enthusiasts, just pay attention to the rocks. Swans are often seen when visiting Mikonkari, and this time too.

Personally, I don’t have an unequivocal favorite beach as a starting point for SUP trips. Prevailing weather conditions, especially winds, affect the choice of canoeing destinations and routes, as well as directions. Pikkulahti and Kylmäniemi probably have the most stable weather conditions. Even in the canals, the swells do not sway, but the direction of the wind can make the progress either relaxed or requires strength – in any case, there is plenty to choose from in the Raahe archipelago!

The starting points and map can also be viewed in raahenrannoilla.fi website.