Rödhamn – waiting for the right weather
A safe harbour before the open sea
Rödhamn is more than a popular guest harbour. For centuries, these islands have been a safe haven for sailors waiting for the right weather before crossing the Åland Sea towards Sweden. Pilots and their families lived here for more than a hundred years, and traces of the old maritime life can still be found around the islands. Today, boats come here for a very different reason – to enjoy the quiet harbour, the rocks, the sauna and the long summer evenings.
Rödhamn was also home to pilots and their families for more than a hundred years. The pilots knew the waters around Åland and helped ships navigate the archipelago and the Åland Sea.
There are still traces of that history around the islands, including the old pilot station and the former radio beacon. It is easy to imagine how different life here must have been when the sea was both a workplace and a source of uncertainty.
Rödhamn today
Today, the atmosphere is much more relaxed. During the summer, boats arrive throughout the day and the harbour fills up with people enjoying a few days on the islands.
But if you stay until the evening, things start to change. The boats become quieter, people gather around the harbour or head for the sauna, and the light over the water slowly changes.
This is probably when I like Rödhamn the most.
There is something special about sitting on the rocks with a camera, watching the last boats move across the water and waiting to see what the evening light will do.
Rödhamn may be a busy guest harbour in the middle of summer, but there is still plenty of room to find your own little corner of the island.
Sometimes you just have to sit down, wait for the light and see what happens.