Portør (Kragerø South)
Portør lighthouse island · Telemark skerries outer · Portørleia
58°47.3'N 009°31.9'E
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 3–8m on mud/sand. Excellent holding. E/NE exposure means easterly Skagerrak weather can make this anchorage uncomfortable — move to the S or W side of the island cluster. Shore line recommended; the cove is narrow enough that free swinging can put boats uncomfortably close together in peak season.
About This Anchorage
Portør is one of the most romantic anchorages on the Norwegian south coast — a collection of small islands and skerries 8nm south of Kragerø, anchored around the historic Portør lighthouse. The lighthouse (first lit 1839) stands on a low rocky island that defines the outer limit of the Kragerø skjærgård (archipelago). The coves on the west side of the lighthouse island are a classic Norwegian summer anchorage — smooth pink granite rocks, pine trees growing from cracks in the rock, and the lighthouse beam sweeping overhead at night. This is a favourite of the Norwegian sailing community and fills quickly on summer weekends.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. The lighthouse itself is now unmanned — the fog horn building and lighthouse are closed to the public. Maintain 150m from the lighthouse keeper's cottage (now private). Fishing gear in the outer approaches — check carefully. No open fires on the rock during dry periods.
Hazards
- !E/NE exposure to Skagerrak: easterly systems bring sea directly into the anchorage — monitor forecast carefully; the eastern skerries of the archipelago have no protection from E
- !Weekend crowding: one of the most popular anchorages in the Kragerø area — Norwegian powerboats and sailboats fill the coves by early afternoon on Saturdays in July
- !Fishing nets in the outer approach channels: always proceed slowly and watch for crab pots and lines between the outer skerries
- !Unlit rocks throughout the approach: navigate only with detailed Sjøkart chart; the skerries are beautiful but numerous isolated rocks exist between islands
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive by 14:00 on weekends or before 10:00 to secure the best position in the inner cove
- →The pink granite rocks at Portør are perfect for swimming — tie the dinghy to a rock and scramble up for a dive into 5m-clear water
- →Jomfruland National Park (8nm S): a long sandy island with a lighthouse and beach nature reserve — anchor off and explore by dinghy in light conditions
- →Kragerø guest harbour (8nm N) is an excellent base for day trips to the outer skerries — use Kragerø for overnight provisioning and Portør for daytime anchoring
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Kragerø town centre (8nm N) (8nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. One of the most sought-after anchorages on the south coast — arrive early or accept the company. The outer skerries here are among the finest cruising grounds in Sørlandet. Midweek is considerably quieter than weekends.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In Norway's skjærgård archipelago, summer katabatic squalls and tidal streams can drag anchors without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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