Olkhon Island

Transportation

Minibus is the most popular transport to go to Olkhon Island. They leave in the morning every day and arrive around lunch time in Khuzhir -- the biggest village on the Island (Around 1200 local people). Minibusses usually pick people up from where they stay at in Irkutsk, or you can hop in near the central market or at the central bus station. Also you can book a minibus hostel-to-hostel transfer in advance by e-mail or phone.

Big regular bus leaves very early in the morning and arrives a little bit later, but costs a little less as well. Also, for the big bus you have to buy the tickets in advance in the bus station office, and there is a luggage fee, which has always been a challenge, even for local people.

Personal transfers are a bit expensive, but its cost-effective if you have a team to go with. The benefits are vivid: you can stop wherever you want, and usually the personal car is a lot more comfortable than public transport. Ask for price, its different and depends on the car, driver and your wishes.

Helicopters and airplanes are also available. It is the fastest and the most expensive way.

Accommodation 

Depends on the time of the year. You must be REALLY shure where you are going in winter. In summer its easier, but still  you must be ready to camp, if you really want to do it. But there are plenty of homestays on the island, so if you pay you will have a bed and a place to "take shower".

Actually showers are a luxury on the island. Banya (the oldest type of taking shower, a little bit like sauna) is available in plenty, for rent and sometimes is included in the price of stay. 

If you stay in Irkutsk for at least one night, you can get your accommodation organized and booked on Olkhon Island too. Usually managers at hostels and hotels have opportunities to do that, and it is usually super easy, and is cost effective.

Also some hosts on Olkhon Island started to use international booking systems, so you can find and book something online.

Basic Things to Do

All year

Rent a bike and go to various wild nature places with amazing views.

All day land-water tour with lunch on the very north tip of the island.

Take amazing beautiful pictures.

Meet many different people from all over the world. Exchange. 

Volunteering, interaction with local people. (teaching)
Camping. 
Hiking.

Party.

Summer

Rent fishing equipment and try to catch some fish form the shore.

Fishing tour with professionals.

Cross the lake on a ship, or go to nature excursion by water.

Camping and hiking.

Sitting by the fire at night on the shore.

Swimming, getting sun tan.
Ship cruises and short tours. 

Winter

Diving under ice.

Crossing the lake by ice.

Ship cruises start in the end of winter when south part of the lake melts.

Ice fishing from the end of January to the early April.

Finding the most quite places on earth to relax and read a book.
Ice skating.