Delfzijl — Handelskade (Inner Basin)
Delfzijl inner basin · Handelskade · lock access
53°19.9'N 06°55.2'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
50m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m
50m in the fully enclosed Handelskade inner basin in 2–4m. Non-tidal inside the lock — no swing adjustment needed. The lock is the only complication; plan arrival around opening times.
Setting Your Anchor
- Check tidal height for your arrival time — many Groningen Wad anchorages dry at LW
- Plan arrival at HW -2 hours or better for all tidal locations in this region
- Daylight navigation only in all Wadden and Ems channels — no exceptions
- Set your anchor alarm immediately after anchoring — the tide will drop while you sleep
About This Anchorage
The Handelskade is Delfzijl's historic inner waterfront — the quay from which Groningen's trade flowed for centuries. The inner basin is accessed via a small lock and provides the most sheltered and atmospheric berth in Delfzijl. The surrounding Handelskade area is slowly being regenerated with cafés and cultural spaces occupying former warehouses. The Albert Schweitzer Huis (museum about the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who lived briefly in Lambarene/Gabon but whose work was supported by Delfzijl connections) is nearby. The inner basin offers complete shelter and easy access to the town centre. For sailors, it is the quieter, more interesting alternative to the main outer marina.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina fees approx €18–24/night; lock-through service included
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Lock opening times apply — typically every 2 hours near HW; call VHF Ch 22 (Handelskadelok) for schedule; inner basin is non-tidal.
Hazards
- !Lock timing: the Handelskadelok has limited opening times — do NOT arrive expecting immediate access; call ahead on VHF Ch 22
- !Inner basin can be shallow at LW if lock sluicing occurs — check depths with lock keeper on arrival
- !Delfzijl outer harbour has commercial shipping — stay in yacht lanes approaching the lock
- !The inner basin occasionally hosts dredging or maintenance operations — check with harbour authority
- !Fuel at outer marina, not at Handelskade — plan fuel stop before entering inner basin
Skipper's Tips
- →The Handelskade inner basin is quieter and more scenic than the main marina — worth the lock planning
- →VHF Ch 22 (Handelskadelok) for lock schedule — call 30 minutes before intended arrival
- →The regenerated Handelskade warehouse cafés serve excellent local Groningen food — worth a dinner stop
- →Delfzijl is connected to Groningen city (25km) by bus — excellent for crew changes or a city day
- →The view across the Ems from the Handelskade quay at sunset toward Germany is striking — low light, wide sky, industrial poetry
Facilities
Handelskade area has cafés and restaurants in regenerated warehouses. Full supermarket in Delfzijl town centre (0.8km). Fuel available at outer marina.
Nearest provisions: Delfzijl town centre (0.6nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Year-round port access. The inner basin has a more local, less commercial character than the main marina. Good for a longer stop in Delfzijl.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 50m
In the Groningen Wad and Ems estuary, anchor drag on a drying tidal flat can leave you stranded at low water. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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