The visitor centre where the information point of the State Forest Management Centre is situated is the place to begin the exploration of Vilsandi National Park. The visitor centre is in the ancient Loona Manor complex. In the centre, it is possible to see a permanent exhibition that introduces the nature, history and cultural heritage of Vilsandi National Park. In addition, information on fossils is shared in the stone house.
Vilsandi National Park and its surrounding area offers many opportunities for resting and enjoying nature: may it be swimming, boating, canoeing or riding a bicycle, hiking, bird or seal watching, nature photography, foraging or fishing.
Based on the protection rules of Vilsandi National Park, the main objective of the national park is to protect the coastal landscapes and sea of West Estonia and little islands rich in bird species.
The territory of the national park is divided into:
One of the objectives of Vilsandi National Park is the protection and introduction of the cultural heritage of the islands of West Estonia.
The Island of Vilsandi is 6 km long from east to west and at some parts up to 2.5 km wide. The island is divided into two parts: Suur-Vilsandi and Väike-Vilsandi (Big and Small Vilsandi, respectively). The narrow area between those two islands is called Vahemeri (the sea in between). The coastal scenery on the island is varied. Dolomitic cliff coasts from which the island has gotten its name (German Felsand = rocky, stony land) but also flat coastal meadows can be found on the island.
Kuusnõmme Peninsula that has a north-western direction is widely covered with pine forest. Part of it is an old natural forest, but planted pine forests can also be found. There are shallow lakes on the peninsula that are called silmad (eyes) by the local people. There are rarities, such as the alpine butterwort (Pinguicula alpina), Saaremaa yellow rattle (Rhinanthus osiliensis) and pale St. John’s-wort (Hypericum montanum) growing on the peninsula.