Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Hiiumaa island ! :-) tips?

I am going to Hiiumaa Island for 3 days, after a day or so in Tallinn. My 2 friends and I would like to do fun, outdoor activities, like bike, sea kayak in the islets, swim, ride horses (maybe), see beautiful coastlines...





We do not have set plans yet, other than the dates, but we were thinking of having our base around Käina Bay and Kassari, to visit Sääretirp! And bicycle to the two other peninsulas too! What do you think of that?





Other than that I was also wondering if you



have any advice at all, on where to go, what not to



miss, where to buy inexpensive food in a grocery store, various tips, etc? We of course have travel guides, but there%26#39;s nothing like local advice! For example: Is the water good to swim in? Can we sleep outside one night without a tent on an islet or will we freeze to death? ;) Do you think the bungalows in Kassari, like Vatsi Tall (the barrels!) are worth it? Can we rent bikes anywhere? Can we rent sea kayaks in the east island? etc...





Thanks SO much!






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Ok, you don%26#39;t say when you are visting, so that could be a big factor on whether you will swim. I%26#39;m guessing July? You could get a nice spell of weather then, in which case there are lovely beaches to swim at. Kassari is a little cut off and there are next to no rental places down there, although worth the drive of course because of it%26#39;s views, picturesque and barren. You can rent gear in Kärdla, and it%26#39;s probably 20 to 30 minute drive to the peninsula from there.



Camping is totally possible and you won%26#39;t freeze. Again, this is if you are traveling in July or August. The barrels in Vatsi Tall are good value if I remember correctly - and the food in the pub is great!



The best place for renting kayaks and doing mad outdoor activities is a place called %26#39;surf paradiis%26#39; which is literally on the very edge of the island on the west coast. There is nice camping around there with fantastic sunsets and it%26#39;s easy to find quiet secluded spots. Surf Paradiis (on paradise beach) is quite an outlandish place, so anything fun or outdoorsy can be found here - sea trampolines, kayaking, jetskis, parasailing, ATV, ziplining etc. Here%26#39;s their site: http://www.paap.ee



Hiiumaa has really interesting history and there are things to see and do besides sporting activities too, like the lighthouse tour or many of the observation towers. Shops are somewhat sparse, so your best bet would be to do your shopping in Kärdla - otherwise hedge your bets if you are going further into woods or coastal areas.





Some good sites for you:



turism.moonsund.ee/index.php?lang=en%26style=en (Hiiumaa hiking)





www.hiiumaa.ee/index.php?keel=2%26redir=1



(Hiiumaa official tourist site)





Also RMK (Estonian forestry service) is a wonderful organization. On their websites you will find lists of campinggrounds (maps also available in tourist office in Kärdla) and details about their nature havens. RMK places open stoves/bbqs and camping shelters and lodges in the middle of the forest for hikers and campers. Cooking implements and such are supplied - but the rules are that you leave a place as you found it, and take your rubbish with you. There are some amazing spots in Hiiumaa.



www.rmk.ee




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wow, thanks!




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One good site more: http://www.maaturism.ee/en/hiiumaa/

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