Arholma
Arholma lighthouse · Arholma gästhamn
59°51.0'N 19°07.3'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m on mud/sand in 2–4m. Arholma's outer position means conditions can deteriorate more quickly than in the middle archipelago. Good holding in W conditions. NE and E exposure is the main risk — the open Gulf of Bothnia lies to the NE.
About This Anchorage
Arholma is the northernmost significant island in the Stockholm Archipelago, sitting at the outer edge where the archipelago gives way to the open southern Gulf of Bothnia. The lighthouse island marks a psychological and navigational boundary — north of here, the character of the coast changes from skerry garden to more exposed northern waters. The island has a long history as a pilot boarding station and was an important herring fishing centre. Today it offers a gästhamn, a summer cafe, and connections by ferry to the mainland at Norrtälje. The outer position and the transition between the Stockholm and Gulf of Bothnia sailing worlds make Arholma a compelling destination for ambitious sailors extending their Stockholm Archipelago cruise northward.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Bird sanctuary on outer skerries around Arholma closed Apr 1–Jul 31. Gästhamn: 200–270 SEK/night.
Hazards
- !Outer archipelago position — E and NE exposure to open Baltic/Gulf of Bothnia
- !Northern transition zone — weather systems arrive faster than in the inner archipelago
- !18nm from Furusund — limited retreat options if conditions deteriorate quickly
- !Isostatic uplift: chart depths near rocks may be overstated by 0.1–0.2m
Skipper's Tips
- →The northernmost anchorage of the Stockholm Archipelago — tick the boundary marker
- →Excellent staging point for sailors continuing north into the Gulf of Bothnia
- →The outer skerries north of Arholma are spectacular — sail north on a day trip before returning
- →Ferry to Norrtälje on the mainland — good crew change option for northern archipelago trips
Facilities
Summer cafe at the gästhamn; limited provisions
Nearest provisions: Norrtälje (mainland, ferry) (15nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
Season June–August only. The outer position and northern latitude mean conditions deteriorate rapidly in September. July is the sweet spot — longest days, calmest conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the Stockholm Archipelago's tight granite coves, wind shifts from overnight thunderstorms can drag anchors rapidly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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