Ohtakari is the main beach area for Kokkola, on an island connected to the mainland about 10 km north of the city centre. The water here is shallow — the Gulf of Bothnia is one of the shallowest seas in the world — and warms up to swimming temperatures in July and early August. By Finnish standards the bathing is good; by Mediterranean standards it requires some acclimatisation.
The beach area has a café and basic facilities in summer. The island setting, surrounded by the flat sea and the archipelago, has a serene quality that suits the pace of a Finnish summer day. A cycling path links Ohtakari to Kokkola, making it a pleasant ride from the centre in good weather.