Windfish Festival

The Windfish Festival, held at Orjaku Harbor in Hiiumaa, is a traditional fish feast that is organized every year on the last Saturday of May in honor of the garfish that comes to spawn in the Baltic Sea. This long-snouted fish with green bones is highly valued by the people of Hiiumaa. The affectionate name “tuulekala” (windfish) comes from its spring arrival together with the western and southwestern winds.

A key part of the festival is the tuulekala trolling competition, the largest recreational fishing event in Estonia by number of participants, with up to 300 competitors. The highlight of the festival is the mass start of competitors in Jausa Bay.

You can sample fish at the fair, which runs throughout the day, with all kinds of local fish delicacies on offer. The program also includes interesting lectures, performers, and workshops. The festival offers activities for the whole family. While the big fishermen catch fish on the open sea, a fishing competition for younger fishing enthusiasts takes place near the festival site at the Puulaiu Canal.