2.7.2026 | Leisure

Take to the Water…

Text Timo Raussi 
Photos EstRiver Kruiisid and Visit Estonia / Ain Ojamaa

“…Take to the water” is a well-known Finnish saying and a line from the ninth rune of the Kalevala epic. Boats, and many of us as well, seem to have a natural desire to head out onto the water and set off on a journey. While almost everyone arriving in Tallinn from Helsinki has already travelled by a rather larger vessel, many visitors to Estonia also look for opportunities to enjoy river and lake cruises. In June, the selection of waterborne excursions expanded with a new addition, this time on Lake Peipus.

The small town of Mustvee, home to just over a thousand residents, lies on the shores of Lake Peipus, close to the lake’s nearly 30-kilometre-long northern sandy beach as well as the popular tourism areas of Avinurme and Kauksi. Locals proudly refer to their hometown as the “Capital of Lake Peipus”, making it a fitting home port for the Peipsi Star, which has now begun offering sightseeing cruises on the lake.

The vessel previously operated in the waters around Klaipėda, Lithuania, before being brought to Estonia last autumn. It has seating for 50 passengers. During the one-hour cruises, visitors can relax either on the open sun deck or, in less favourable weather, in the indoor lounge below, where a café-bar serves refreshments as well as light savoury and sweet snacks. By advance arrangement, the operator can also provide hot meals and catering platters for groups through its catering partner. Naturally, the vessel is equipped with toilet facilities.

The cruises depart from Mustvee Harbour three times a day from Tuesday to Friday, at 14:30, 16:00, and 17:30. At weekends, two additional departures are offered, extending the schedule with sailings at 13:00 and 19:00. The cruising season runs until the end of September.

The service is operated by EstRiver Kruiisid, the same company that offers shorter river cruises in Tartu as well as full-day boat trips to Piirissaar, the island of the Old Believers located in the middle of Lake Peipus.

Tickets for the Lake Peipus cruise cost €15 for adults, €10 for school pupils, students and pensioners, or €40 for a family consisting of two adults and up to three children. Children under the age of four travel free when accompanied by a parent. Tickets can be purchased in advance online here or at the harbour no later than 10 minutes before departure.

Please note: Because Lake Peipus forms part of the border between Estonia and Russia, all passengers, including children, must carry an official travel document, either a passport or a national identity card.