There are an innumerable islands and islets in Saaremaa County. The islets are especially popular among birds. People are more fond of the biggest islands in Estonia – Saaremaa; Muhu, which is between Saaremaa and the mainland; Abruka – right next to Saaremaa; Ruhnu – a solitary piece of land in the Gulf of Riga; and an island furthest to the West, Vilsandi. One can take a ferry from the mainland to get to Muhu and drive on to Saaremaa via a road on a dyke that has connected the two islands for over a hundred years. Abruka can be accessed by small ferries through Saaremaa; Ruhnu, also by ferry in summer or even by a plane at times; to Vilsandi, by boat or, in the times of low water, walk or ride in the back of a truck with a friendly driver.
First to be seen in Muhu are the women’s yellow-striped skirts and the men’s black-and-orange jerseys. Then, a medley of handcrafts are showcased: glasses’ cases, socks, stockings, gloves, crocheted lace, juniper goods – all famous local handcrafts. These items can also be purchased in stores in Kuressaare.
There is a museum in Koguva village, but in reality, the whole island is representative of the old ways, with high stone fences and local fishing boats. It creates a lovely feeling of nostalgia. Muhu also offers the Padaste manor houses that belonged to the most famous noble families, the beautiful St. Catherine’s Church from the 13th century and the cliff of Uugu in the northern part of the island, where the water has carved caves of Sokutoa (He-goat room) and Kitsekambri (She-goat chamber into the cliff). The ancient post mill known as the Eemu windmill is one of the oldest operational windmills in the Baltics and is still turned wholly on its base to catch the wind.
In Abruka, you can see a protected virgin stand and it is possible to walk through the water to two smaller islands.
Vilsandi is the biggest island among a separate group or islands that have been declared a national park because of its breathtaking nature and bird sanctuary area.
Ruhnu is its own kind of place that is difficult to reach but once there, one surely appreciates the isolation and difference from any other place in the world.