Svendborg Havn
Svendborg harbour · Svendborg Nordhavn
55°03.9'N 10°37.4'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for the enclosed Svendborg Sound approach in 3–6m mud. The sound provides near-complete shelter — only prolonged SW wind can push some chop through. Reduce to 45m in calm conditions. The harbour is immediately accessible if conditions deteriorate.
About This Anchorage
Svendborg is the capital of the South Funen Archipelago — the largest town (population 26,000), the best-equipped harbour in the region, and the hub for island ferries to Ærø, Drejø, Skarø, and Hjortø. The approach anchorage in Svendborg Sound is excellent — deep mud, excellent holding, and near-complete shelter. The town has full urban services: supermarkets, chandleries, marine engineers, fuel, haul-out facilities, and a range of excellent restaurants on the waterfront. The Svendborg Sound is the busiest sailing waterway in the archipelago. The anchorage is a practical base for provisioning and services rather than a quiet overnight — if tranquility is the priority, the Vindebyøre anchorage (2nm east) or Thurø Bund (3nm south) are better choices.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W · NW
Exposed To
SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); harbour fee approx DKK 170–220/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Busy harbour waterway — maintain clear passage for ferries and commercial traffic; VHF 12; eelgrass on Thurø shore; speed limit 5kt; no anchoring in main channel.
Hazards
- !Busy commercial waterway — ferries, tour boats, and commercial traffic; maintain clear passage
- !Very busy anchorage area in July–August — limited space; arrive before 15:00
- !Ferry traffic (Ærø, Drejø, Skarø) crosses the sound — monitor VHF 12
- !Eelgrass on Thurø shore — anchor in central sound only
- !Night fog common in Svendborg Sound in summer — anchor alarm essential
Skipper's Tips
- →Svendborg is the best resupply stop in the archipelago — do all provisioning, fuel, water, and maintenance here before heading out to the islands
- →The Svendborg waterfront (Jessens Mole) has an excellent outdoor market on summer Saturdays — local produce, fish, and crafts
- →The Marstal ferry (Ærøfærgen) departs from Svendborg — a beautiful 1.5-hour crossing to Ærø if you prefer to leave the yacht in the harbour
- →Svendborg Sailing Week (late July) is the largest sailing event in the archipelago — arrive well before or the anchorage area will be impossible to find space in
- →For the best overnight experience near Svendborg: anchor at Vindebyøre (2nm east in Svendborg Sound) or Thurø Bund (3nm south) — both quieter and more beautiful
Facilities
Svendborg waterfront restaurants: Svendborgsund, Fabrikken, and Café Biografen. Full supermarkets (Bilka, Netto) within 1km. Marine chandleries: Svendborg Sejlcenter.
Nearest provisions: Svendborg town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
Year-round access as a services stop. As an anchorage, May–September. July–August is extremely busy — this is the hub of all archipelago sailing activity.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the South Funen Archipelago, eelgrass bed proximity and overnight wind shifts require constant vigilance. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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