The Archipelago Visitor centre Blue Mussel provides information on Archipelago National Park and the archipelago’s natural features above and below the surface of the sea.
Entrance
There is no entrance fee. Groups and those wishing a guided tour should make reservations in advance. We charge for guided tours.
Directions
By Car
The Blue Mussel Visitor Centre is located at the southern tip of the municipality of Kimitoön.
- When coming along the Tammisaari-Salo road (52) turn off at Perniö onto road 183 towards Kimito. Continue on past Kimito towards Dragsfjärd and Dalsbruk. Before the Dragsfjärd intersection there is a blue signpost that says Blåmusslans naturum 21-km (Visitor Centre). Follow the signposts.
- When coming along the Paimio-Kimito road road (181) turn right after Kimito center onto road 183 towards Dalsbruk and Dragsfjärd. Before the Dragsfjärd intersection there is a blue signpost that says Blåmusslans naturum 21-km (Visitor Centre). Follow the signposts.
- From the direction of Dalsbruk take Söderlångviksvägen for 4 km and follow the blue sign, which directs you left to Kasnäs.
By Public Transportation
Coaches going to Kasnäs stop at the Visitor Centre.
- Helsinki - Kasnäs coach timetables (www.vainionliikenne.fi, in Finnish) and Sunday express coach to Helsinki timetables (www.matkahuolto.fi).
- Timetables (www.vainionliikenne.fi, in Finnish) for coaches from Turku to Taalintehdas and Kasnäs.
- Coaches from Kasnäs to Salo via Taalintehdas and Kemiö to Salo, timetables (www.vainionliikenne.fi, in Finnish). In Kemiö passengers can transfer to a coach to Turku.
- Timetables for Kasnäs - Taalintehdas, (www.vainionliikenne.fi, in Finnish) of which some of the coaches continue to Turku.
Services
- Information and brochures on Metsähallitus products and services.
- Information on Archipelago National Park and hiking destinations in the surrounding area e.g. bird watching towers, nature trails.
- Information on hiking.
- We sell books, posters, maps and other related products.
- Guided tours, which are charged.
- There is a shop, accommodation services (hotel and countryside like accommodation), a spa (www.kasnas.com), a restaurant, a beach and a guest harbour close by to the Visitor Centre.
Exhibitions in the Blue Mussel Visitor Centre
The Blue Mussel Visitor Centre exhibitions display the varied natural features of the archipelago. At the bird islets visitors will see birds from the outer archipelago, for example the white tailed eagle, which is our park’s signature bird. A new exhibition of the white tailed eagle The Story of the Baltic Sea tells the story of the area from last Ice Age to the present. Because of its importance to life in the archipelago there is an exhibit on methods of fishing. A major part of the National Park’s areas are under water. Visitors can “dive” into our exhibition on flora and fauna at the bottom of the sea. There are also shipwrecks and archaeological finds to be seen.
In our brackish water aquarium visitors can see coastal fish and crustaceans. Pictures in our Snäckan exhibit tell of old Finnish stories and myths. Visitors can buy Snäckan stories to take home with them.
Auditorium and AV Presentations
- There are 48 seats in the auditorium.
- Presentations:
- Child of the Ice Age, 12 min DVD about the nature in the Archipelago. Language options: Finnish, Swedish and English.
- The Incredible Baltic Sea, 10 min DVD for children. Language options: Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Metsähallitus at Sea, 14 min DVD. Language options: Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Grey Seal, DVD, 10 min. Language options: Finnish, Swedish and English.
- Presentations are shown on request. Groups can make reservations in advance. The presentations are free-of-charge.
- The auditorium can be rented for conference use.
Children’s Play Corner
What could Mytilus be? Children can climb up to a loft, where they can draw and play in the children’s corner.
Educational Space
The reference library provides in-depth information on nature and the environment. There are books, magazines, microscopes and herbariums.
Geological Nature Trail
On the Visitor Centre’s grounds there is a geological exhibition and a related 700-metre nature trail. The trail is a journey in time, beginning 2,300 million years ago leading up to our days. Finland’s longest geological history is here in the archipelago.
Services for the Disabled
- The exhibition space in the ground floor is accessible by wheelchair. If a wheelchair has large batteries, however, it may be difficult to enter the exhibit on underwater life.
- If the back row benches are removed, the auditorium can fit 6 wheelchairs. This should be reserved in advance.
- The building has a toilet for the disabled.
Read more about our service guarantee.
This is the web page www.outdoors.fi/bluemussel