Muratsi – Coast, Protected Areas and Harbour

Muratsi laht is a publicly accessible part of a bay with a water surface area of 292 ha. The bay landscape, including Kasti laht and Kase laht, is shallow; its average depth is around 2 m. A causeway built during the Soviet era connects Muratsi village with the Suur-Tulpe peninsula. The coastlines are indented.

The coastal and aquatic area of Muratsi belongs to the network of protected areas comprising Kasti maastikukaitseala, Kasti lahe hoiuala and Tulpe merikotka püsielupaik. The main values of this network include semi-natural habitats such as coastal meadows, wooded pastures, wooded meadows, alvars and juniper scrub.

The beach area at Muratsi Harbour is publicly accessible. Bathing and swimming are undertaken at your own risk and are not supervised. The area by the harbour is also one of the main bathing spots. This makes the location a specific coastal point for your day planning, without implying that it is a supervised bathing facility.

Muratsi Bay is used mainly by locals as a fishing spot. In addition, around ten people regularly go out to sea from Muratsi Harbour. These two details show different sides of the location: on the one hand, the bay is associated with local use as a fishing spot; on the other, the harbour remains a starting point for activities on the water. There is also a playground at the harbour, which may be an additional point of reference for families with children.

When choosing accommodation in Muratsi, you can tailor the focus of your trip to the landscape. The protected areas combine coast and water with various open and wooded habitats. Coastal meadows, alvars and juniper scrub stand alongside wooded pastures and wooded meadows.

The development of Suur-Tulpe also reveals the area’s distinctive landscape history: the present-day peninsula was once an island. For understanding the location, this change is more significant than a blanket description of the surroundings, because it explains why water, coast and land uplift are closely connected in Muratsi.

Muratsi Manor, known in German as Murratz, originated from a fief granted to the Hoslöt in the 1560s–1570s. The stone early Neoclassical main building was erected at the beginning of the 19th century. Today, the manor’s main building and outbuildings are ruins. The site therefore represents a historical connection that is clearly distinct from the coastal and nature-related themes at the harbour.

At Muratsi Harbour, Muratsi Resto & Cafe welcomes visitors as a maritime stop by the sea. The cuisine is inspired by the nature of Saaremaa, Baltic Sea traditions and Nordic culinary arts. It uses carefully selected local ingredients as well as fresh catches from fishermen from Saaremaa.

If you would like to compare Muratsi with other destinations for your trip planning, you can also look at Haapsu, Valjala, Lilbi, Koguva, Mustjala, Nurme, Nässuma and Kuressaare.

Which protected areas are part of the network near Muratsi?

The network comprises Kasti maastikukaitseala, Kasti lahe hoiuala and Tulpe merikotka püsielupaik.

What historical development shaped Suur-Tulpe?

Suur-Tulpe was originally an island; land uplift turned it into a peninsula.

What cuisine does Muratsi Resto & Cafe offer?

It combines influences from the nature of Saaremaa, Baltic Sea traditions and Nordic culinary arts with local ingredients and fresh catches from fishermen from Saaremaa.

How is Muratsi Bay used?

It serves mainly as a fishing spot for locals; in addition, around ten people regularly go out to sea from Muratsi Harbour.

To the higher-level travel overview: Saaremaa.