Termunterzijl
Termunten · sluice harbour · Groningen coast
53°17.8'N 07°00.8'E
Depth
1–3m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m at HW in 1–3m mud/sand. This harbour DRIES at LW — either be prepared to take the ground or leave before LW -2hrs. The mud is soft and gentle for drying-out vessels. Set your anchor alarm and tide alarm together.
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
Termunterzijl is one of the smallest and most traditional of the Groningen coast sluice harbours — a genuine working Dutch coastal community of farmers and former fishermen, far from the tourist trail. The harbour is a tidal sluice (zijl) behind the protective dike — a classic Groningen coastal structure dating back centuries. The village of Termunten (1km behind the dike) has a 14th-century church (Petrus and Pauluskerk) with a historic interior. The landscape behind the dike is quintessential Groningen: flat, wide-sky farmland with characteristic farmhouses. This is sailing as exploration — few visiting yachts make the effort, which makes it all the more rewarding for those who do.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Nominal harbour fee €8–12/night; often unmanned — leave payment in box
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Tidal access only (HW -2hrs to HW +1hr); max draft approximately 1.2m for safe approach; dries at LW — must be prepared to take the ground; daylight navigation only for Wadden approach.
Hazards
- !Dries completely at LW — you WILL take the ground; only suitable for bilge-keel, centreboard, or twin-keel vessels unless prepared to heel against a wall
- !Max draft 1.2m recommended for safe Wadden approach at neap HW; spring HW gives slightly more water
- !Remote location: nearest help at Delfzijl (8nm by water); no services at harbour
- !Approach across tidal flat requires current Waddengids and up-to-date electronic charts — channel markers (posts) shift
- !The timing window is narrow — 3 hours total; arrive early HW -2 to have time to settle before drying
Skipper's Tips
- →The classic Dutch 'drying-out' experience — bring props or bilge keels and enjoy a night stranded on the flat
- →Termunten church (Petrus & Pauluskerk, 14th century) is one of the finest small Groningen churches — worth the 1km walk over the dike
- →The view from the dike top at sunset across the Groningen Wad is extraordinary — flat, empty, and completely silent
- →Time departure for HW -1hr to avoid any risk of grounding on the approach channel — the channel is narrow and shifts seasonally
- →Bring complete self-sufficiency: water, provisions, and navigation materials — there is nothing at the harbour
Facilities
No facilities at harbour. Village of Termunten (1km) has a small café. Delfzijl (8nm) for full services.
Nearest provisions: Delfzijl (8nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Remote and demanding. Best for experienced Wadden sailors who want an authentic and uncommercialised experience. Not suitable for first-time Wadden visitors.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
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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