Eckernförde
Eckernfoerde · Eckernförder Bucht
54°28.4'N 09°50.2'E
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for excellent mud holding in 4–12m. The deep soft Baltic mud is among the best holding ground on the German coast. Set the anchor and it will not move. Reduce to 50m if confident the anchor is set at 4–5m. Only increase in fresh NW conditions (6:1 scope, so 70–80m).
About This Anchorage
Eckernförde Bay is one of the finest natural anchorages in the German Baltic — an almost completely enclosed bay 5km long and 1.5km wide with excellent holding in deep soft mud. The town of Eckernförde (population 24,000) is a genuine working Baltic town — not a polished tourist resort — with a good mix of chandleries, restaurants, supermarkets, and a historic town centre. The smoked sprat (Eckernförder Sprotten) is the town's culinary trademark — 'Strömling' style cold-smoked sprats have been produced here since 1887. The German Navy submarine training centre is based here (U-Boot training command) — submarine periscopes are occasionally visible in the bay. The bay's deep mud makes it one of the best overnight anchorages in the entire German Baltic.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (bay anchorage); harbour fee approx €14–18/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: German Navy submarine training area — do not approach marked restricted zones; speed limit in harbour entrance; anchoring near the harbour entrance may interfere with submarine operations.
Hazards
- !German Navy submarine training area — exclusion zones in bay; check NOTAMs and chart markings
- !Open to NW across the Kiel Bight — in NW gale conditions the bay can be rough (short Baltic swell)
- !Baltic water level variation: strong W/NW wind lowers water level 0.3–0.5m
- !Ferries from Kiel pass close by the bay entrance — monitor AIS
- !Deep mud: when weighing anchor, the mud will be on the anchor flukes — have a hose ready
Skipper's Tips
- →Eckernförde is the finest overnight anchorage on the Kiel-to-Flensburg coast — the mud holding is exceptional and the bay is deeply sheltered. Spend two nights.
- →Eckernförder Sprotten (smoked sprats): buy from the Räucherei (smokehouse) on the harbour — the traditional cold-smoke process takes 12 hours; morning purchase gets the previous night's batch — extraordinary flavour
- →The old town (Altstadt) of Eckernförde has preserved its 19th-century character — the Rathaus, Nikolaikirche, and Wasserturm are worth exploring; 15-minute walk from harbour
- →Evening at anchor in the bay: the sunset light on the western shore, the silence, and the depth of the Baltic mud beneath produce some of the most peaceful anchorage conditions in Germany
- →Check NOTAMs for submarine exercise areas before departure: the U-Boot Lehrgeschwader occasionally closes sections of the bay — notice given on VHF 16
Facilities
Eckernförde town centre (10 min walk from harbour): restaurants, cafes, supermarkets. Famous Eckernförder Sprotten (smoked sprats) from harbour smokehouses — buy direct.
Nearest provisions: Eckernförde town centre (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. The bay is sheltered enough for early and late season use — April and October are possible in settled conditions. One of the best anchorages in the German Baltic year-round.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the Baltic fjords, wind-driven water level changes and boat traffic make overnight anchor monitoring important. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS