Vilsandi in Estonia

Vilsandi is in Kihelkonna commune, Saare county, and it is the most westward populated island in Estonia. Its area is 9 km². Distance between Vilsandi and Vikati harbour is 10 km. Its population is 20.

The island is considered to be more than 2 000 years old, and it emerged from the sea as a result of the earth-rise.

Permanent population began in the 18th century, when Lääne-Saare farmers inhabited the island. Fishing, ship-building, sea-trading, long-distance liners, life-boating and many other sea occupations became the main source of living for nearly 200 people.

In 1914, one of the first East-European Nature Reserves, was founded - Vaika Birds' Reserve which has developed into present Vilsandi National Park. Vilsandi, the central island of the National Park consists of two islands grown together, which are connected with a narrow neck of land. Tens of thousands seabirds stop, breed, migrate and nest on the surrounding islets of Vilsandi. Vilsandi is numbered among the highest category areas of important international birds' sanctuarities.

Vegetation on Vilsandi is explored for more than hundred years because of aboudance of its typical and rare and unique plants and their associations. Thanks to the protective conditions its fauna is also numerous, among which big population of grey eals deserves drawing attention to.

You can travel to Vilsandi by boat from Papisaare harbour and in the case of low water-level by jeep from Kuusnõmme peninsula.