Access to waterways

	© Liisa Turkia-Kyyrö

Everyone has a general right of free access to open waters in Finland, including frozen waterways in the wintertime. Boats may also anchor temporarily without special permission. These rights are based on the Water Act, which is itself controlled by the Water Traffic Act.

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment may, however, limit or prohibit the use of boats or other vehicles where this is necessary to prevent accidents, to protect the environment, fish stocks or local livelihoods, to preserve the recreational amenity value of the waterway, or for other reasons related to overall public benefit.

Motor-boats should avoid the shallow, soft-bedded bays where fish spawn. All boats should also steer well away from fishing nets and traps, or people fishing from boats or the shore.

Consider others

The repeated use of jet-skis or noisy boats (e.g. for water skiing) is prohibited near shores where people are living.

Everyone on waterways is obliged to show due care and attention. Other people must not be endangered, and their livelihoods and recreational activities should not be disturbed or hindered without good reason. Wildlife, fish stocks and the environment in general must not be harmed.

Water traffic regulations and the rules, prohibitions and restrictions indicated by water traffic signs and light signals must all be observed.

People using waterways may anchor or moor and go ashore under everyman’s right, except where this is expressly prohibited, for example in nature reserves during the nesting season. Even where there is no express prohibition, lakes, bays and islands, where many birds nest or rest should be avoided.

Information about recreational boating and the related prohibitions and regulations is available on the website of the Finnish Maritime Administration.