Klaipėda South Open Bay

About This Anchorage

Klaipėda South Open Bay is the open Baltic anchorage on the southern flank of the Klaipėda Strait entrance, where the coastline transitions from the mainland to the beginning of the Curonian Spit's extraordinary dune landscape. The anchorage sits on the Baltic side of the spit's northernmost section, in 4–10m on sandy seabed over the coastal shelf. From here, the dune ridges of the Curonian Spit rise dramatically — the highest dunes on the Lithuanian section reach 60m — and the panorama northward to the Klaipėda Strait entrance and southward along the deserted spit Baltic coast is remarkable. The beach on the spit's outer (Baltic) face at this point is wide, wild, and car-free, accessible only by boat or the seasonal ferry from Klaipėda. The anchorage is exposed to southwesterly and westerly swells from the open sea and should only be used in settled conditions — the Klaipėda Strait entrance is barely 1 nautical mile to the north, providing rapid access to the sheltered Curonian Lagoon if conditions deteriorate. This is a spectacular day anchorage for those wanting to experience the raw Baltic face of the Curonian Spit before transitioning to the calmer lagoon world.

Hazards

• !Open to W, SW, and S Baltic swell — fair-weather only
• !Klaipėda Strait shipping lanes to the north — maintain AIS
• !Curonian Spit NP restrictions — stay on marked paths ashore
• !Sandbanks near the spit shore — approach carefully from the Baltic side

Skipper's Tips

• →Day anchorage for exploring the outer (Baltic) face of the Curonian Spit
• →The dunes visible from this anchorage rise to 60m — striking scenery
• →Rapid escape route to Curonian Lagoon via Klaipėda Strait (1nm north)
• →The western beaches of the spit at this point are among the most wild and pristine in the Baltic

Nearby Anchorages