Åfjord (outer Trondheimfjord)
Åfjord havn · Åfjord bay · Åfjord village anchorage
63°58.1'N 010°11.9'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 4–8m on excellent mud. Actual depths far greater than CD — Norwegian tidal range 1-2m. Shore line recommended overnight. One of the most sheltered bays on the outer Trondheimfjord — good holding makes this a reliable overnight stop in most conditions.
About This Anchorage
Åfjord is a well-sheltered bay on the southern shore of the outer Trondheimfjord, providing excellent protection from most wind directions in a deep-mud anchorage. The village is small and traditional — a typical Norwegian coastal community of wooden houses, a church, a small quay and the essential cooperative grocery (COOP or Rema 1000). The outer fjord here has good northerly and westerly sailing winds and the approach from the fjord entrance is straightforward. A good overnight stop on the Trondheim–north passage, offering more shelter than the open coastal anchorages while avoiding the 30nm diversion to Trondheim city.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW
Exposed To
W · NW
Setting Your Anchor in Trondheimfjord
Shore lines are mandatory in the Trondheimfjord system. Norwegian practice: drop a bow anchor on the shallow nearshore shelf in 4–10m, then run a stern or bow shore line to the nearest fortøyningsbolter (iron ring) set into the cliff face. Use at least 7:1 scope on the anchor rode. The Norwegian tidal range in Trondheimfjord is 1–2m (increasing toward the inner arms) — actual depths are far greater than Chart Datum; always verify with your echo sounder. Katabatic gusts from valley walls and glacier slopes can arrive without warning on clear nights — set your anchor alarm to 75m before sleeping. Under Allemannsretten, anchoring on natural shores is free for up to 48 hours. NATO restricted zones around Ørland: drone flying strictly prohibited throughout the region.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Shore lines to natural rocks. Do not anchor in the approach fairway to the village quay.
Hazards
- !W and NW exposure to the outer fjord — shore line and anchor alarm essential overnight
- !Limited fuel: carry adequate reserves before arriving; nearest fuel is 20nm
- !Outer Trondheimfjord weather: Atlantic systems can arrive quickly from the W; monitor yr.no forecast
- !Tidal stream of up to 1 knot in the bay entrance — time approach near slack if swell present
Skipper's Tips
- →A reliable overnight stop on the north passage — better shelter than exposed coastal anchorages and shorter diversion than Trondheim
- →Stock up on basics at the village grocery: provisions are adequate for a passage resupply
- →The outer fjord N of here has good working wind in W–NW breezes — plan the passage north for a morning departure
- →Very quiet anchorage — often only boat here on weekdays; a welcome contrast to Munkholmen and Brekstad
Facilities
Small grocery in the village. Fuel: Brekstad (20nm) or Trondheim (35nm). Limited but adequate for a one-night provisioning stop.
Nearest provisions: Åfjord village grocery (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. A transit anchorage rather than a destination — use it to break the passage north or south along the Trøndelag coast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Trondheimfjord, tidal streams through the sounds and katabatic gusts from fjord walls can drag anchors without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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