Kungsbacka Fjord (Onsala)
Onsala anchorage · Kungsbackafjorden
57°23.5'N 12°00.7'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m ideal for 2–4m mud holding — one of the best-holding anchorages on the west coast. The fjord provides excellent protection from the prevailing SW-W winds. Only NW fetch (5km) creates any motion. This is a superb overnight stop for west coast passages — use it as a staging point for passages to or from Gothenburg.
About This Anchorage
Kungsbacka Fjord, with Onsala at its heart, is one of Sweden's most celebrated sailing locations — home to the Onsala Sailing Club (Onsala Segelsällskap), which has produced some of Sweden's finest offshore racing sailors and hosts the start of major offshore races including the Round Denmark Race and various IRM/IRC national championships. The fjord stretches 8km inland from the coast, providing exceptional shelter from the Skagerrak and Kattegat swells that affect exposed anchorages to the south. Mud bottom throughout the fjord gives outstanding anchor holding. The town of Kungsbacka at the head of the fjord has full provisions, and the approach from the south passes through a chain of skerries that makes this one of the most scenic sailing routes on the Swedish west coast.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Shallow approach from the south — check chart carefully; minimum depth in marked channel approximately 1.8m at mean water level. Keep clear of race start lines when offshore events are running. Club gästhamn available at the sailing club for visiting boats.
Hazards
- !Shallow approach from the south — minimum 1.8m in channel; use current chart
- !Very busy weekend sailing traffic from Gothenburg and local clubs
- !Race traffic in summer — check Onsala Sailing Club notice board for event dates
- !NW wind accelerates down the fjord — more wind than expected inside
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Onsala Sailing Club — friendly to cruisers, excellent showers and facilities
- →Anchor west of the sailing club in 2–4m on mud — perfect holding for overnight stays
- →Kungsbacka town (3nm head of fjord) has supermarket, chandlery, and fuel station ashore
- →Check tides — fjord approach from south shoals to 1.8m; add safety margin
- →Excellent staging point before or after the offshore passage south to Varberg
Facilities
Onsala Sailing Club restaurant (members and visitors, summer), town provisions at Kungsbacka (3nm)
Nearest provisions: Kungsbacka town (3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
Season May–September, with June–August peak. The fjord is navigable year-round but facilities and sailing club are summer-only. West coast sailing season typically ends when autumn North Sea depressions begin in earnest (October). Excellent spring destination from late May when west coast warms faster than Baltic.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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