After a €12 million ($13 million USD) development, Kalajoki Marina in Hiekkasärkät, Finland, has opened on the Bothnian Bay coast. The City of Kalajoki announced the completion of construction on 24 June 2026 and handed the site to Kalajoen Hiekkasärkät Oy for operation, ahead of an official opening ceremony on 4 July.
Described as one of the largest infrastructure projects in the city, Kalajoki Marina is expected to strengthen maritime tourism, improve the visitor environment and support boating and local businesses.
According to the city, the project was planned to support local activity from the beginning. After funding was secured, it was organised as a self-managed construction project, divided into smaller contracts that allowed local and smaller companies to participate throughout the construction period.
The marina offers 120 berths for local and visiting vessels, along with zoning that allows 1.1 hectares of commercial and residential construction in the visiting boat area and nearly 6.7 hectares of total building rights across the site.
Funding included €5.94 million ($6.7 million) from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia through the AKKE programme under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, with the City of Kalajoki contributing €6.06 million ($6.9 million).
The marina first welcomed boaters in early June during the Vesille26 boat show, and its official opening ceremony is set for Saturday, 4 July, featuring ceremonial sailing with the Bothnia Regatta, speeches, water safety activities, a panel discussion, with Member of Parliament Mika Lintilä scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
