Hadseløya (Vesterålen)
Melbu harbour · Hadselfjorden E shore · Vesterålen inner archipelago
68°30.2'N 014°48.7'E
Depth
5–18m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 5–15m on excellent mud. Outstanding holding. N/NW exposure from the outer Vesterålen — any northerly system requires checking cove orientation carefully. Tidal range ~1.8m. Shore lines recommended for overnight stays.
About This Anchorage
Hadseløya is the main island of central Vesterålen — larger, flatter and more agricultural than the dramatic Lofoten peaks, but with its own quiet beauty and excellent shelter. The island's SE coast in Hadselfjorden provides some of the most reliably sheltered anchorages in Vesterålen, protected from the prevailing N and NW weather by the island mass. Melbu on the NE tip of Hadseløya is connected by ferry to Fiskebøl on Lofoten (20 minutes) — an important link in the Lofoten-Vesterålen circuit. The Hadsel Museum in Stokmarknes (nearby) documents the remarkable history of the Hurtigruten service born in these waters.
Protected From
E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Salmon farm cages may be present in some Hadselfjorden bays — check chart and approach carefully. Maintain 150m from inhabited farms and dwellings. Fishing gear throughout — fish-hook cutter essential.
Hazards
- !N/NW exposure: northerly weather from the Vesterålen outer coast can reach into the inner fjord — check cove orientation before overnight stay
- !Salmon cage moorings: some bays have fish farm installations; underwater mooring lines can extend 100–200m — approach slowly and check chart
- !Tidal streams in the sounds: Hadselfjorden and the sounds between Hadseløya and adjacent islands have tidal streams up to 1–2 knots; plan approaches accordingly
- !Arctic weather changes: Vesterålen receives frequent Atlantic depressions — monitor yr.no carefully and have an escape plan for any inlet
Skipper's Tips
- →Melbu-Fiskebøl ferry (20 min): the car ferry crossing connects Vesterålen to Lofoten directly — an excellent option to combine both archipelagos in a single sailing trip
- →Vesterålen vs Lofoten: the key difference — Vesterålen has gentler terrain, more agriculture, fewer tourists, and excellent anchorages in the inner fjords; Lofoten has more dramatic peaks but more crowds
- →Whale watching from Andenes (N of Andøya): the best whale safari base in Norway — sperm whale sightings are reliably available summer and winter from the Andenes centre
- →Midnight sun fishing: Hadseløya's waters are rich in cod, coalfish and pollock; fishing from the cockpit at midnight under the Arctic sun is a uniquely satisfying experience
Facilities
The coves themselves have no facilities. Melbu (1nm) has a small shop. Stokmarknes (5nm) has full facilities — supermarket, restaurants, fuel. Best provisioning base in the Stokmarknes-Hadseløya area.
Nearest provisions: Stokmarknes town supermarket (5nm) (5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Hadseløya is the understated heart of Vesterålen — ideal for sailors looking for reliable shelter and quiet cruising without the Lofoten tourist crowds. The combination of Stokmarknes provisioning and Hadseløya cove anchoring is an excellent Vesterålen base strategy.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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