Kalmar (City)
Kalmar anchorage · Kalmarsund north
56°39.7'N 16°21.9'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m ideal in 2–4m on mud — excellent holding throughout Kalmar Sound. Allow for wind-driven current when setting scope — the sound can have 0.5–0.8kt current in strong NE or SW winds. The anchorage is comfortable in most summer conditions; move to Kalmar harbour gästhamn only in strong E-NE conditions.
About This Anchorage
Kalmar is a historic city of great significance in Swedish history — the Kalmar Union of 1397 (uniting Sweden, Denmark, and Norway under one crown) was signed in Kalmar Castle, which still stands magnificently beside the sound. The Renaissance castle is one of the best-preserved in Scandinavia and dominates the waterfront. The city has a cathedral, excellent museum (Kalmar Länsmuseum, housing Viking treasure), lively restaurant scene, and full marina facilities. The Kalmar Sound here is at its narrowest — 8km wide — making it one of the most sheltered anchorages on the southeast coast. An outstanding Baltic sailing destination combining history, facilities, and excellent sailing through the sound in both directions.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Keep clear of harbour fairway and ferry routes. Wind-driven current can be 0.8kt — set anchor carefully. Gästhamn available in Kalmar harbour (150–250 SEK/night).
Hazards
- !Wind-driven current up to 0.8kt through the sound — allow for set
- !Ferry traffic (Kalmar–Öland crossing) creates regular wash
- !Kalmar Sound narrows here — shipping and commercial traffic in main channel
- !NE exposure (8km fetch across the sound from Öland)
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Kalmar Castle — one of Scandinavia's finest Renaissance fortresses (entry fee, worth it)
- →Kalmar Länsmuseum has the Guldkransen treasure — Viking gold from Baltic trade
- →Use the gästhamn in the harbour for overnight if any NE-E wind forecast
- →The old town (Gamla stan) is walkable from the harbour — excellent restaurants and cafes
- →Good departure point for passage north through the Kalmar Sound to Stockholm (Baltic route)
Facilities
Excellent city restaurant scene; waterfront restaurants within dinghy distance
Nearest provisions: Kalmar city centre (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August primary. Kalmar is a significant Baltic sailing hub — many boats transit through the sound both N and S during summer. September is excellent with fewer crowds. Ice risk December–March makes the harbour unusable in severe winters.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
In the Kalmar Sound, wind-driven currents can shift your position more than expected overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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