| Vaindloo (Stenskär) | |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the Baltic Sea region##Location in Estonia##Location in Europe |
| Pushpin Map: | Scandinavia#Estonia#Europe |
| Pushpin Relief: | yes |
| Pushpin Label: | Vaindloo |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Estonia |
| Subdivision Type1: | County |
| Subdivision Name1: | Lääne-Viru County |
| Area Total Km2: | 0.062 |
| Population Total: | no permanent population |
Vaindloo (alternatively: Vaindloo saar, Swedish: Stenskär) is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.
Vaindloo belongs to Estonia; it is the northernmost land point of the country. It has an area of 6.2ha and marks the northernmost point of the nation of Estonia, situated 16order=flipNaNorder=flip north of the Estonian mainland.[1] The island is administratively part of Vainupea village in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County. The island is depicted on the Estonian two-euro coin. The Euro Coin Collector website notes:
“On the 2 Euro coin two small islands, Vaindloo and Nootamaa, are depicted. These, the most Northerly point and most Westerly point of Estonia are not depicted on the other coins.”[2]
Vaindloo is also notable for its functioning lighthouse, called the Vaindloo tuletorn. It was built in 1871 and is managed by the Estonian Maritime Administration. It replaced a previous timber lighthouse erected in 1718.[3] In addition to the lighthouse, there is an Estonian Border Guard station with a 50adj=midNaNadj=mid observation tower and a radar installation.
Vaindloo is an important breeding sanctuary for such birds as the common tern, Arctic tern, Tengmalm's owl, great tit, purple sandpiper, shore lark, great grey shrike, yellowhammer and others.[4]