Netherlands — South Holland & Rotterdam Waterways

Stellendam (outer Haringvliet)

Stellendam haven · Haringvliet gateway · Grevelingendam access

51°49.1'N 03°59.8'E

Depth

24m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

65m

Holding

Good

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

65m

65m on mud/sand in 2–4m. Semi-controlled water levels. Some W exposure — marina provides better shelter than outer anchorage. The Grevelingendam lock to the Grevelingenmeer is immediately accessible from this harbour.

Setting Your Anchor

  1. Check tidal height for tidal locations (Hoek van Holland, Scheveningen, Biesbosch); Grevelingenmeer and Veerse Meer are non-tidal
  2. Plan arrival at HW for tidal locations; non-tidal lakes can be entered at any time
  3. In Rotterdam waterways: monitor VHF CH 67 and stay in designated small craft areas at all times
  4. Set your anchor alarm immediately after anchoring — before going below or sleeping

About This Anchorage

Stellendam is positioned at the junction of three major Delta Works structures: the Haringvlietdam (north), the Brouwersdam (south, enclosing Grevelingenmeer), and the Grevelingendam (east, with lock to Grevelingenmeer). This makes it the primary transit harbour for yachts moving between the outer Haringvliet and the Grevelingenmeer — the finest non-tidal saltwater lake in the Netherlands. Stellendam itself is a small working harbour community with full marina facilities, a fuel dock, and a working fish auction. The Haringvlietdam (part of the Delta Works) is immediately north — the 17 sluice gates are one of the engineering marvels of the 20th century.

Protected From

E · SE · S · N · NE

Exposed To

W · NW · SW

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Marina approx €16–22/night
Permit required
No

Restrictions: Grevelingendam lock: check opening times before transit; Haringvlietdam sluice discharge events affect currents — monitor Rijkswaterstaat; sea approach via Haringvlietsluizen requires lock transit — check times and VHF Ch 20.

Hazards

  • !Multiple lock systems: Haringvlietsluizen (from North Sea) and Grevelingendam lock (to Grevelingenmeer) — both have scheduled opening times; plan passages carefully
  • !Haringvliet sluice discharge: strong currents in the outer harbour approaches during Rijkswaterstaat discharge events
  • !W exposure: open to W and NW across the Haringvliet in exposed outer anchorage position
  • !Fuel is available here but not at all surrounding ports — fill up at Stellendam before heading to Grevelingenmeer
  • !Busy transit harbour in peak season — berths fill quickly on summer weekends

Skipper's Tips

  • Stellendam is the gateway to the Grevelingenmeer — the best non-tidal anchorage lake in the Netherlands; use this as your provisioning and fuel stop
  • The Grevelingendam lock (Grevelingen Bridge lock) VHF Ch 20 — call before approach; typically opens every 2 hours
  • The Delta Works visitor experience at the Haringvlietdam (north of harbour) is excellent for understanding the Dutch hydraulic engineering achievement
  • Fresh fish from the Stellendam auction — plaice (schol), sole (tong), and herring from the North Sea fishing fleet
  • The cycling route along the Haringvlietdam to the North Sea coast is dramatic — 6km over the dam with views of the open Haringvliet and North Sea

Facilities

Water Fuel Restaurant Provisions WiFi

Stellendam has a harbourside café and fish auction (afslaghal). Supermarket in Stellendam village (0.5km). Excellent fresh fish from the auction.

Nearest provisions: Stellendam village (0.4nm)

Best Months & Season

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

May–September. Key transit harbour for Delta sailing. Busy in July–August as the gateway to the Grevelingenmeer. Good facilities and provisioning.

Recommended Anchor Types

CQR/plowBruce/ClawRocna/Manson Supreme

Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m

In the Rotterdam waterways and Delta lakes, shipping wash and anchor drag can push you into dangerous areas. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.

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