Å (Moskenesøy, Lofoten)
Å i Lofoten · Moskenesøy south tip · Å harbour
67°52.7'N 012°58.5'E
Depth
3–12m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m in 3–10m on mud/sand. Good holding. W/NW exposure from the outer Vestfjorden — any westerly weather system requires departure or securing to the inner quay. Tidal range 1.8m requires careful depth calculation in the shallower areas. The Moskenstraumen proximity is the overriding safety consideration for this location.
About This Anchorage
Å (pronounced 'Aw') is the southernmost village in Lofoten and the end of the road — the E10 highway terminates here and the only way onward is by boat or ferry. The village is a remarkably well-preserved collection of 19th-century rorbu, boat houses, a cod liver oil factory, a bakery museum and a stockfish museum — a complete, living snapshot of the traditional Lofoten fishing economy. The Norwegian Fishing Village Museum at Å is one of the finest open-air museums in Norway. The village sits at the entrance to the notorious Moskenstraumen (Maelstrom) — the powerful tidal race made famous by Edgar Allan Poe and Jules Verne that forms between Moskenesøy and Mosken island 3nm to the SW.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); Quay fee for alongside berth
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. MOSKENSTRAUMEN WARNING: Do NOT transit the Maelstrom in any conditions without expert local pilot and precisely timed slack water — 6–7 knot currents with standing waves. The harbour quay is used by the Bodø–Moskenes ferry — do not block the ferry approach. Contact harbour master on VHF Ch. 16.
Hazards
- !MOSKENSTRAUMEN (MAELSTROM): 3nm SW of Å — 6–7 knot currents, standing waves, boils and eddies; completely impassable for yachts except at precise slack water; consult Norwegian tidal tables and local pilots
- !Atlantic W/NW exposure: the harbour is partially sheltered but westerly systems can make it untenable — the breakwater absorbs most swell but severe W weather requires departure
- !Katabatic winds from the Moskenesøy peaks: among the severest katabatic locations in Lofoten — shore lines to the quay or rocks absolutely essential overnight
- !Ferry wash: the Bodø–Moskenes car ferry docks at Å — its passage creates significant wash in the small harbour; be secured before the scheduled arrivals
Skipper's Tips
- →Norwegian Fishing Village Museum: the best Lofoten fishing heritage museum — an entire working village preserved in its original state; the cod liver oil factory demonstration is extraordinary
- →Midnight sun at the road's end: arriving at Å under the midnight sun, knowing you are at the last point of Norway's road system, is a profound sailor's moment
- →Moskenstraumen timing: if you want to transit the Maelstrom (experienced crews only), the slack water windows are approximately 2 hours around high and low water at Bodø — get precise tables from the Norwegian Tidal Prediction Service
- →Reine (10nm E): the village of Reine is arguably the most photographic in all Lofoten — a detour on the way to or from Å is strongly recommended; anchor in the Reine bay in calm conditions
Facilities
Å village has a café, the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, and basic provisions at the small shop. Water at the village quay. Fuel by jerrycan from the petrol station at the road end. Better provisioning at Reine (10nm E) or Leknes (30nm E).
Nearest provisions: Å village shop / Reine (10nm E) (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Å is the most visited and photographed southern Lofoten village — arrive by boat for a unique perspective that road tourists cannot share. The heritage museum is open June–August. Respect the fact that this is still a living fishing community.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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