Kihnu Veeteed

Kihnu Veeteed ("Kihnu Waterways") is the private Estonian ferry operator that keeps the country's smaller western islands connected to the mainland. Founded in 2002 and based on the island of Kihnu in the Gulf of Riga, it runs several island lifeline routes under state contract, mostly with purpose-built, state-owned ships.

Lifelines to the small islands

Its busiest lines are Munalaid–Kihnu (with the seasonal direct Pärnu–Kihnu link) and Rohuküla–Sviby out to Vormsi; it also sails the inter-island Sõru–Triigi crossing between Hiiumaa and Saaremaa and the little Laaksaare–Piirissaar route on Lake Peipus. For the culturally distinctive Kihnu community — whose traditions are on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list — the ferry is the year-round link to the world.

Fleet and fares

Three modern sister ferries — Soela, Ormsö and Kihnu Virve, built in Estonia in 2015–2017 — carry around 200 passengers and 32 cars each, backed by older vessels and, in hard winters, hovercraft and ice roads. Fares are in euros (Munalaid–Kihnu is about €4.80 on foot, €14.50 with a car), with reduced rates for island residents.