Augustenborg (Als Fjord)
Augustenborg Havn · Als Fjord · Augustenborg Slot
54°56.4'N 09°52.7'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m for the sheltered Als Fjord anchorage in 2–4m. The fjord provides excellent shelter — only SW winds generate any fetch. Eelgrass along the fjord edges — stay in the central muddy area.
Setting Your Anchor
- 1.Check eelgrass chart (DKSOS app or Navionics) — anchor only on sandy or muddy bottom free of vegetation
- 2.Use 5:1 scope minimum — the Little Belt is almost tideless (0.3–0.5m tidal range); scope is about depth and holding, not tide
- 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 55m before sleeping — tidal currents through the narrows can cause unexpected swinging
About This Anchorage
Augustenborg is one of the most charming stops on the Als island coast — a small palace town built around the baroque Augustenborg Slot (now a psychiatric hospital, but the exterior and grounds are accessible). Als Fjord is a classic sheltered fjord anchorage with good mud holding and protection from most wind directions. The town has a character distinctly different from the rest of South Jutland — the ducal palace architecture gives it an almost fairy-tale quality. The island of Als (Sønderjylland) was the site of the decisive 1864 battle that ended Danish control of Schleswig. Good walking and cycling throughout the island.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W · NW
Exposed To
SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); harbour fee approx DKK 130–160/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Eelgrass along fjord edges — anchor in central muddy area; anchoring tolerated 1 night; speed limit 5kt; palace grounds open during daylight hours.
Hazards
- !Eelgrass fringe along fjord edges — anchor in central channel only
- !SW wind generates fetch down the fjord — increase alarm radius in SW above F4
- !Shallow draught recommended for inner harbour access — check depths before entry
Skipper's Tips
- →Augustenborg Slot (baroque palace, 1770s) has beautiful formal gardens open to visitors — dinghy ashore and walk up through the town
- →Als island cycling routes are excellent — rent bikes in Sønderborg (8km) and cycle the island loop (50km, manageable in a day)
- →The Als Museum in Sønderborg covers the 1864 war — the battle is one of the defining events of Danish national identity
- →From Augustenborg the island of Ærø is only 12nm across the open Aabenraa Bay — a straightforward day passage
Facilities
Small cafe and restaurant in Augustenborg town. Provisions from local shop. Larger supermarket in Sønderborg (8km by bicycle).
Nearest provisions: Augustenborg town (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. A quieter alternative to Sønderborg — the palace town atmosphere is unique in Denmark.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
In the Little Belt, tidal currents and eelgrass proximity require constant vigilance. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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