Læsø — Byrum / Vesterø Havn
Laesø · Læsø island · Vesterø · Saltø
57°16.7'N 11°00.0'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for the Vesterø Havn anchorage in 2–4m. The exposure is to north and NW — opposite to most Kattegat anchorages. In northerly or NW above F4, use the harbour. The sandy mud holding is good in settled conditions.
Setting Your Anchor
- 1.Check eelgrass chart (DKSOS app or Navionics) — anchor only on sandy bottom free of vegetation; fine DKK 10,000
- 2.Use 5:1 scope minimum — the Kattegat is almost tideless (0.3m tidal range); scope is about depth and holding quality
- 3.Remember: anchoring is tolerated for 1 night only in unoccupied natural anchorages — it is not a legal right in Denmark
- 4.Set your anchor alarm to 70m before sleeping — Kattegat weather can deteriorate rapidly; be ready to leave
About This Anchorage
Læsø is the 'salt island' of the northeast Kattegat — historically famous for salt production using the unique saltwater springs that permeate the island (it was known as Saltø, the Salt Island, in medieval times). The landscape is remarkably flat — almost entirely below 10m elevation — with extensive heathland, dune systems, and pine forests planted in the 19th century. The island has approximately 1,800 inhabitants and two harbours (Vesterø on the west, Østerby on the east). The western anchorage at Vesterø is exposed to the north and NW but sheltered from easterlies. The island is a designated nature reserve with extensive protection.
Protected From
E · SE · S · NE
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); harbour fee approx DKK 130–160/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Nature reserve — extensive protected areas; no cars on sealed roads (cyclists and residents only on heath tracks); no fires in heathland; eelgrass fine DKK 10,000; ferry traffic from Frederikshavn; anchoring tolerated 1 night.
Hazards
- !Open to north and NW — Skagerrak swell can reach the island; uncomfortable in northerly above F4
- !18nm offshore passage from Frederikshavn — genuine Kattegat crossing; plan weather carefully
- !Nature reserve — extensive protection zones; check charts for restricted areas before anchoring
- !Shallow approach to Vesterø in any sea state with NW swell — follow buoys carefully
Skipper's Tips
- →Læsø lobster (jomfruhummer) is the finest in Denmark — the lobster restaurant at Vesterø Havn is justifiably famous; book ahead
- →The saltworks at Læsø Salteri (reconstructed) demonstrate the medieval salt production methods that made the island wealthy — extraordinary history
- →Cycle the island in a day (50km loop) — the flat landscape and heathland are unique in the Danish islands
- →The old farmhouses with seaweed-thatch roofs (unique to Læsø) are a remarkable sight — a few survive in the village of Byrum
Facilities
Læsø has restaurants at both harbours and provisions in Byrum (the main village). The island is famous for its lobster — the Læsø lobster is considered Denmark's finest.
Nearest provisions: Byrum village / Vesterø Havn (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. An extraordinary island that rewards the offshore passage to reach it. The lobster alone justifies the trip.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the Kattegat, rapid weather changes and exposed anchorages make continuous GPS monitoring essential. Safety Anchor Alarm keeps watch so you can rest.
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