Flensburg Fjord
Flensborg Fjord · Flensburger Förde · Flensburg
54°47.7'N 09°26.3'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for excellent holding in 4–10m of fjord mud and clay. One of the best-holding anchorages in the German Baltic. The fjord is well-sheltered by its orientation — only fresh SW wind produces any swell. Baltic tidal range 0.1–0.3m.
About This Anchorage
Flensburg Fjord straddles the German-Danish border — Germany to the south, Denmark to the north. The fjord is 30km long and deeply sheltered, with excellent holding in Baltic mud and clay. Flensburg itself (population 92,000) is famous throughout Germany as the 'rum capital' — the Flensburger Rum tradition dates from the triangular trade of the 18th century; the Hansen and Johannsen rum distilleries still operate. Flensburg is also famous for its Flensburger Pilsener (flip-top bottle). The old merchant quarter (Norderstraße) has remarkable 18th-century merchant houses. The fjord allows direct access to Danish waters without border formalities (EU/Schengen). Langballigau (German south shore, 15nm from the Baltic entrance) is a quiet yacht harbour with excellent facilities in a completely sheltered position.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W · NW
Exposed To
SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (fjord anchorage); marina fee approx €14–20/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: German-Danish EU/Schengen border — no formalities but vessels must show flag; speed limits in Flensburg city harbour; commercial traffic in inner harbour area; nature protection zones in parts of the outer fjord.
Hazards
- !German-Danish border in the fjord — vessels should carry EU/Schengen documentation; German Zoll (customs) occasionally checks boats returning from Danish waters
- !Commercial traffic in Flensburg inner harbour — ferries and cargo vessels; monitor AIS and VHF 16
- !SW wind funnels along the fjord axis — in strong SW (F5+) the inner fjord can be choppy
- !Baltic water level variation: long-duration NE or E winds raise fjord level 0.3–0.5m
- !Entrance to outer fjord (Flensburg Bucht) has shoal areas on the south shore — use buoyed channel
Skipper's Tips
- →The Flensburger Rum tour (Hansen Distillery or Johannsen) is a highlight — Flensburg has been producing rum since 1755 and still imports raw Caribbean rum for blending; tasting tours available
- →Langballigau (15nm from Baltic entrance, German south shore) is the finest fjord anchorage — completely sheltered, yacht harbour in a forest setting, excellent restaurant; prefer this over Flensburg city for overnight
- →The German-Danish border sail: depart Flensburg northward up the fjord, anchor for lunch in Danish Aabenraa or Sønderborg — no customs formalities within EU/Schengen; a unique bi-national day's sailing
- →The historic merchant quarter of Flensburg (Norderstraße) preserves the largest collection of 18th-century North German merchant houses — the rum and trade heritage is palpable; walking tour leaflets from the tourist office
- →From Flensburg, passage to Als Fjord and the extraordinary Als island (Denmark) takes 2–3 hours — an excellent two-nation cruise combining the German Schlei and Danish Als
Facilities
Flensburg city: full urban facilities, supermarkets, chandleries, rum shops. Flensburger Rum Compagnie tour and tasting. City centre restaurants. Langballigau (quieter, 15nm from Baltic entrance) is a preferred overnight stop.
Nearest provisions: Flensburg city centre (1km) (0.6nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. Flensburg Fjord is one of the finest cruising grounds in the German Baltic — the combination of deep water, excellent shelter, and the German-Danish border makes it unique. Early spring (April) is also pleasant.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
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.
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