The museum is housed in a former Soviet-era border guard station which includes the original guard barracks.
The outdoor collection features a collection of naval mines salvaged from the Baltic Sea.
Tahkuna peninsula is home to a massive, unfinished coastal defense battery known as Battery 316.
The site contains a rare collection of coastal surveillance radar equipment used during the Soviet occupation.
The museum grounds include an authentic border guard lookout tower.
Many of the heavy cannons on display were recovered from local shipwrecks or deactivated military installations on the island.
The Hiiumaa Military Museum is located in the former Soviet border guard checkpoint at Tahkuna, preserving the island's coastal defense and military history. The outdoor exhibition features heavy weaponry, including cannons, naval mines, and military vehicles positioned among the forest pines. The indoor collection contains uniforms, communication equipment, and historical artifacts detailing Hiiumaa's role in the Cold War and the Estonian border guard era. The museum sits near the northernmost tip of Hiiumaa island, a site historically significant for its proximity to the entrance of the Gulf of Finland. Visitors can explore various bunkers and fortifications that remain scattered across the surrounding Tahkuna peninsula. The site serves as both a museum and a memorial to those who served in Estonia’s coastal defense forces.
The contrast of the rusted coastal artillery cannons against the dense pine forest backdrop.
Bring insect repellent if visiting during the summer months due to the forest location.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the gravel and forest terrain of the outdoor exhibits.
Combine your visit with a short walk to the nearby Tahkuna Lighthouse for a broader view of the peninsula.
Do not wander off the marked paths into the forest, as hidden unexploded ordnance or unstable bunker structures may still exist in the surrounding woodland.
Open primarily during the summer season; closed during the winter months.
Avoid climbing on the rusted military hardware, as the metal may be sharp or unstable.
