Solovetsky Islands

Getting there & away

Boat

The only dependable (more or less) boat services to the Solovetsky Islands go from Rabocheostrovsk, 10km from Kem, from the beginning of June to the end of August. Before June, ice around the islands usually makes passage impossible. During this summer season a daily service is scheduled to leave Rabocheostrovsk at 8am, and start back from Solovki at 5.30pm. The 2½-hour crossing costs R700 one-way for foreigners. Hotel Prichal at Rabocheostrovsk can confirm schedule information (in Russian). At least one other boat is likely to cross between Kem and Solovetsky every day during the navigation season - ask at the ports - and if you're lucky they'll only charge you the Russian fare (R350). Some sailings may continue as late as October.

Solovetsky village has several docks (prichaly). The main boat from Rabocheostrovsk normally puts in at Prichal Tamarin at the north end of the village.

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Air

There are at least three flights a week to and from Arkhangelsk year-round. In 2005 Aeroflot-Nord also began summer flights to/from Murmansk. Book summer flights as far ahead as you can: they are very popular. It's also important to remember that flights can be delayed by anything up to a couple of days if the wind is severe, which happens quite often!

If you're coming straight from Moscow, look into the inexpensive return flights offered for around R7800 by Solovki Travel and Solovki Tour.

Aeroflot-Nord has an office in the Peterburgskaya Gostinitsa.

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