Juodkrantė Bay

About This Anchorage

Juodkrantė is one of the most atmospheric villages on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of extraordinary dune scenery. Known historically by the German name Schwarzort, this small resort settlement sits on the lagoon side of the narrow sand spit, surrounded by ancient pine forests and the remarkable Hill of Witches — an open-air sculpture park of carved wooden figures from Lithuanian folk mythology. The anchorage in Juodkrantė Bay offers excellent protection from westerly winds, with the forested dunes of the spit providing a natural windbreak. The lagoon bottom is sand and mud, giving reliable holding in the shallow water. The famous grey heron and cormorant colony at Juodkrantė is one of the largest in the eastern Baltic — hundreds of birds nest in the pine forest adjacent to the village, and their presence makes the anchorage uniquely atmospheric. The village has a small harbour with basic facilities, a few restaurants serving smoked fish (the lagoon's speciality), and excellent cycling paths along the spit.

Hazards

• !Very shallow lagoon — average depth 3.8m; watch your depth sounder carefully when approaching
• !Easterly winds across the 7–8km lagoon fetch can build short sharp chop — uncomfortable for shallow-draft vessels
• !Nature reserve — Curonian Spit NP restrictions apply; stay on marked paths
• !Heron and cormorant colony nearby — strong smell ashore in nesting season (May–Aug)

Skipper's Tips

• →Walk the Hill of Witches — a remarkable open-air sculpture park in the pine forest above the village
• →Try smoked eel and smoked bream at the local fish stalls — the lagoon's traditional speciality
• →Cycling the Curonian Spit path from Juodkrantė to Nida (south) or Smiltynė (north) is magnificent — bring bikes aboard
• →The grey heron colony is one of the largest in the eastern Baltic — arrive by dinghy for close views
• →Best anchored in the bay with good east-west bearings — use landmarks on both the spit and mainland shores

Nearby Anchorages