HiiumaaAbout Hiiumaa
Hiiumaa is Estonia’s second-largest island, situated off the west coast of the Estonian mainland in the Baltic Sea and covering about 989 square kilometres. The island is known for its long sandy beaches, mixed forests and maritime cultural sites.
Visitors use the island for coastal walking, birdwatching and visiting historical lighthouses and villages; marked trails and quiet roads make it a popular destination for cycling and nature trips. The island has a number of protected natural areas and a scattered pattern of small settlements rather than a single large urban centre.
Hiiumaa has been inhabited for many centuries and has a mix of Estonian rural culture and maritime heritage, reflected in its lighthouses, farmsteads and fishing communities. Control of the island has shifted among regional powers over time, but native Estonian culture remains strong.
Geographically the island lies in the Baltic Sea off Estonia’s western coast, with regular ferry links from the mainland at Rohuküla to Heltermaa. The landscape is low and gently rolling, with wooded ridges, coastline and numerous small islets nearby.
- Ferry link: Regular vehicle and passenger ferries connect to the Estonian mainland from Heltermaa harbour, with the crossing taking under an hour on most ferry services.
- Historic lighthouse: Home to the Kõpu Lighthouse, which dates to the early 16th century and is among the oldest working lighthouses globally.
What to See#
- Kärdla: The island’s largest settlement and administrative centre, located on the east coast and serving as the main ferry and transport hub for Hiiumaa.
- Kõpu Lighthouse: A lighthouse on the Kõpu Peninsula dating to the early 16th century and regarded as one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the world; it sits on a raised wooded ridge and is a prominent navigational landmark.
- Tahkuna Peninsula: A northwestern peninsula with rugged coastline, sandy beaches and several marked trails used for coastal walking and birdwatching.
Best Time to Visit Hiiumaa
Best visited late spring through early autumn for ferry schedules, cycling, and long coastal walks.
Weather & Climate near Hiiumaa
Hiiumaa's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -5°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (640 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 0° | -8° | 43 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | -5° - -1° | -9° | 33 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 2° | -5° | 35 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 1° - 7° | 0° | 32 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Good | 6° - 14° | 8° | 38 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.6h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.9h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.2h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 20° | 16° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 76 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 5° | 74 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 4° | -1° | 78 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 1° | -6° | 59 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
How to Get to Hiiumaa
Ferries run from Rohuküla (on the Estonian mainland) to Kärdla on Hiiumaa; the trip takes about 1.5-2 hours depending on the vessel. Rohuküla is reached by car or regional buses from Tallinn (roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive). There are also seasonal fast passenger connections from the mainland in summer.
Tips for Visiting Hiiumaa
- Catch the ferry from Rohuküla to Kärdla early in the morning to avoid the afternoon wind and make the most of the day on the island.
- Rent a bicycle in Kärdla - the main roads are quiet and the island's lighthouse trails (Ristna, Tahkuna) are best explored on two wheels.
- Visit the restored Kõpu Lighthouse (built 1531-1534) and climb the 256 steps - note that winter closures and weather can make the climb impossible.
- Look for the old ship cemetery near Reigi at low tide; the wind-beaten graves and lichen-covered stones are often missed by visitors rushing to beaches.