Kotka (Langinkoski)
Kotka · Tsar Alexander III fishing lodge · Langinkoski rapids
60°28.0'N 26°57.2'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding in mud/sand at 3–6m. Major port — maintain VHF watch and stay clear of shipping lanes. SE exposure to open Gulf — use marina in any SE gale.
About This Anchorage
Kotka is one of Finland's major industrial ports — timber, paper, container traffic — but contains one of the most extraordinary historical curiosities on the Finnish coast: the Langinkoski imperial fishing lodge, built in 1889 for Tsar Alexander III of Russia. The Tsar chose this spot on the Kymi river rapids for its excellent salmon fishing, and the rustic log cabin (built by Finnish craftsmen) remains in near-original condition as a museum. Alexander III spent several summers here with his family, fishing for salmon in the same rapids. The surrounding maritime park is the largest in Finland and offers excellent day sailing. The city itself has a maritime history museum and the Kotka sea festival (July) is one of the largest in Finland.
Protected From
N · NE · W · NW
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; marina berth approx €20–28/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Major shipping port — observe all traffic separation schemes; no anchoring in shipping lanes or harbour approaches; VHF Ch 11 for port traffic.
Hazards
- !Major shipping port — constant commercial traffic; maintain VHF watch Ch 11/16
- !SE exposure to open Gulf — steep short seas in strong SE; use marina berth
- !Russian border zone (50nm east) — proximity increases shipping traffic complexity
- !Kymi river mouth — current can affect outer anchorage
Skipper's Tips
- →The Langinkoski imperial lodge is extraordinary — a 4km taxi or bike ride from the harbour; one of the best museum experiences on the Finnish coast
- →Kotka sea festival (Meripäivät, late July) is massive — reserve marina berth well in advance
- →The Kotka Archipelago National Park is accessible by day sail from the marina — excellent outer island sailing
- →Fuel and provisions here — last major provisioning stop before the Russian border area
Facilities
Full city facilities: restaurants, supermarkets, fuel dock, chandlery. Best-provisioned port on the eastern Gulf coast.
Nearest provisions: Kotka city centre (1nm) (1nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Major city facilities — best provisioning on eastern Gulf. Visit Langinkoski lodge. Kotka sea festival July — book ahead.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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