Eckerö
Eckero · Eckerö Storby · Eckerö harbour
60°13.4'N 19°33.4'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in sand/mud in 3–6m. The island gives shelter from the east but is open to the Åland Sea from west. In westerly conditions above F3, this is an exposed anchorage — seek shelter in the harbour basin or at Mariehamn.
About This Anchorage
Eckerö is the westernmost municipality in all of Finland and the gateway island for sailors arriving from Sweden across the Åland Sea. The village of Storby has one of Finland's finest Empire-period buildings — the Post and Customs House (Posten), built in 1828 and designed by Carl Ludwig Engel (the architect who designed Helsinki's Senate Square). The building served as the western terminus of the royal post road between Stockholm and St Petersburg — one of the most important communication links of the pre-telegraph era. The coast hunting museum (Ålands jakt och fiskemuseum) covers the archipelago hunting and fishing traditions in excellent detail. The anchorage at Storby gives reasonable shelter and access to the village. The ferry service from Grisslehamn (Sweden) brings the first taste of the Åland experience for many visitors arriving from the west.
Protected From
E · NE · SE · N
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; harbour fee approx €15/night if using quay
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Active ferry terminal (Grisslehamn–Eckerö ferry) — anchor clear of ferry approach; protected heritage building (Posten); Åland regulations apply.
Hazards
- !Open to west and SW across the Åland Sea — westerly conditions produce significant swell from Sweden
- !Ferry traffic from Grisslehamn (Sweden) — monitor AIS; ferry creates wash
- !Red granite rocks and shoals throughout approach — use Åland chart
- !No fuel on island
- !Exposed anchorage in SW or W winds — have escape plan to Mariehamn (18nm E)
Skipper's Tips
- →The Posten (Post House, 1828) is one of the finest Empire-period buildings in Scandinavia — the restaurant inside is excellent and the history of the royal post road is fascinating
- →Eckerö is the traditional arrival point from Sweden — a pint at the Post House marks the beginning of the Finnish archipelago for many sailors
- →The hunting and fishing museum (Ålands jakt och fiskemuseum) next to the Posten is genuinely interesting — the traditional hunting culture of the Åland hunters is unique in Finland
- →The crossing from Grisslehamn (Sweden, 2 hours by ferry) can also be done by yacht — the Åland Sea can be rough but is manageable in settled conditions
- →From Eckerö, the route east to Mariehamn (18nm) passes through the most scenic inner Åland channels — a beautiful introduction to the archipelago
Facilities
Restaurant at the Post House (seasonal Jun–Aug). Hunting and fishing museum. Small village provisions. Ferry to Sweden.
Nearest provisions: Eckerö village (0.5nm) or Mariehamn (18nm) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Westernmost point of Finland — significant exposure to the Åland Sea in westerly weather. Best visited in settled conditions. Ferry to Sweden runs year-round.