Logistics · Destination Guide
Remarkably preserved Baltic shipwrecks, specialist day boats and island maritime history.
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Fly to Mariehamn (MHQ) or arrive by ferry from Sweden, mainland Finland or, where scheduled, Tallinn. Visit Aland describes routes from Stockholm, Grisslehamn, Kapellskar, Turku, Naantali and Helsinki; arrivals may be in Mariehamn, Langnas or Eckero depending on service. The Grisslehamn-Eckero passenger ferry takes approximately 2 hours with local-time differences. From Mariehamn, the verified Divealand centre is on the southern side of town. Book your diving arrangement before committing to a travel schedule. See Visit Aland route guide and Eckero Linjen timetables.
Mariehamn Airport
MHQ • EFMA
City-edge airport; a precise transfer distance is not needed for planning. • A short road transfer to central Mariehamn; confirm actual journey and pickup.
Main airport for the Aland Islands, west of central Mariehamn. Finavia confirms the airport codes; its October 2026 route listing identifies Helsinki with Finnair and Stockholm/Turku with populAir. Verify schedule at the airline.
Transport: Taxi or prearranged transfer, Rental car where available
Mariehamn is easy to explore on foot and has town and regional buses. Eckero port receives the Grisslehamn ferry; the tourism office says a bus connects with each ferry arrival, but check current timetables. Langnas is another arrival port and may require advance pickup. A rental car is useful for Kastelholm, Bomarsund, Degersand and dispersed cottage stays. Public archipelago ferries operate across island municipalities; travel without a vehicle may be free, while bicycles and vehicles incur a charge. Do not conflate these ferries with dive-boat departures. Local-transport details.
Aland is an autonomous Finnish region within the Schengen travel area and EU customs territory, with a special VAT/excise status. Follow the immigration and identification requirements for Finland and any countries you transit. Nordic and qualifying Schengen visitors normally travel with valid identification; non-EU/EEA travelers should check nationality-specific entry and visa rules before buying tickets. Carry identity documents even when formal border checks are not routine. The Aland tax-border arrangements may affect goods and customs declarations, not the basic scuba-permit requirement. Sources: local visitor information and European Commission territory rules.
Divealand lists a workshop, suit-drying room, gas fills for air, oxygen, helium, argon and EAN32 near Korrviks fishing port in Mariehamn. Gas supply and service inventory are advertised, but 2026 equipment hire, cylinder sizes, fills, technical-gas price, compressors on the scheduled trip and boat capacity must be confirmed for the selected departure. Its day boat Silverpilen is reported to accommodate roughly 10-12 divers depending on gear and destination. Bring a documented current cold-water qualification and ask about drysuit, weights, rental kit and two-dive logistics. Transport cylinders and batteries only according to ferry/airline rules; never assume airlines accept filled tanks. Dive center; Dive boat.
Euro (EUR)
The euro is the official currency. Card payments are commonly possible, but ask small seasonal businesses and dive providers about accepted payment methods and deposits. Dive fees, gear, gas, accommodation and crossings should be compared as separate costs.
Visit Aland lists cashpoints accepting international cards in Mariehamn, at Maxinge in Jomala and in Godby. The smaller archipelago municipalities have no cashpoints; carry appropriate cash before island hopping. ATM guidance.
230V • 50Hz • C, F
Finland-standard type C and grounded type F plugs. Bring the correct adapter and verify charger input voltage before connecting high-power gear. Electrical reference.
Communications
The Finnish country calling code +358 applies; local Aland fixed-line numbers include area code 18. Wi-Fi is available at many Mariehamn hotels and public venues, but small island and offshore coverage can be uneven. Download offline maps, keep the local emergency number 112 saved and arrange a specific meeting/return time with the guide. Tourism phone guide.
Language
Swedish is Aland's official language. English is widely spoken in tourism; do not assume Finnish is universal. Wreck regulations and local administration may appear in Swedish. Language overview.
Insurance
Carry travel and medical cover that explicitly includes the planned scuba depths, technical gases, cold-water operations, marine evacuation and recompression treatment when relevant. Ordinary travel insurance may not cover specialist diving. EU-insured visitors can use an EHIC for qualifying necessary public medical care, but this is not a replacement for suitable diving rescue cover. Check cancellation coverage for adverse boat weather. Official medical visitor advice.
Packing list
Pack valid dive certifications and logs; drysuit, hood, insulated gloves and undergarments for any cold-water scuba itinerary; computer, primary and backup light, and surface signalling gear. Add weatherproof topside layers, non-slip shoes, mask/fins for optional legal shore swimming, travel documents, adapted charging plugs and a basic medical kit. Travel with current sea forecasts and water-quality links. The operator must confirm whether tanks, weights, rental suits and specialized technical gas are included.