Pärnu Bay Roadstead
Pärnu laht · Pärnu Bay outer anchorage
58°19.2'N 24°27.0'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding on mud/sand in 3–8m. Outer bay anchorage — exposed to Gulf of Riga from south and west. Suitable as a waiting anchorage or for vessels with draft over 1.5m that cannot enter the river. Monitor bar conditions.
About This Anchorage
The Pärnu Bay outer roadstead serves as both a waiting anchorage for vessels bound for Pärnu Marina and a practical overnight stop for deeper-draft vessels unable to cross the river bar (depth typically 1.5–3m). The bay is an immense shallow embayment at the northeast corner of the Gulf of Riga — the entire bay averages only 5–8m depth, creating conditions where wind-driven waves can become steep and short in strong S or SW winds. The bottom is consistent mud and sand giving reliable holding. The outer bay gives views toward the Pärnu beach and the distant Kihnu Island to the southwest.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Stay clear of the river bar approach channel. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Pärnu Port traffic. Gulf of Riga shipping lanes are nearby.
Hazards
- !Exposed to S, SW, W across Gulf of Riga — steep short seas build quickly in strong wind
- !Very shallow bay — 5–8m average; wave behaviour is abrupt in swell conditions
- !River bar approach nearby — stay clear of the marked channel
- !Gulf of Riga shipping lanes — maintain radar watch
Skipper's Tips
- →Useful waiting anchorage if bar conditions at Pärnu entrance are poor
- →Monitor Pärnu Port VHF Ch 16 for bar depth reports before attempting marina entry
- →In strong S or SW winds, the bay becomes uncomfortable — consider Kihnu (20nm) as alternative
- →Good holding ground for an overnight if weather is settled
Facilities
No facilities in outer bay. All facilities at Pärnu Marina (5nm, river bar permitting).
Nearest provisions: Pärnu Marina (5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Open anchorage — only suitable in settled conditions. Waiting anchorage for bar conditions primarily.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
In the shallow Gulf of Riga, wave heights build rapidly in strong winds. A dragging anchor can put you aground quickly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously while you rest.
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