Anholt — Nordby Harbour
Anholt Havn · Nordby · Kattegat island
56°43.1'N 11°32.0'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for Anholt harbour anchorage in 2–4m sand. IMPORTANT: Anholt is described by experienced Danish sailors as an 'emergency harbour only' in swell conditions. If any easterly swell is present, the harbour approach and anchorage become very rough — do not attempt in E/SE above F4. In settled conditions the sand holding is good and the alarm radius can be reduced to 50m.
Setting Your Anchor
- 1.Check eelgrass chart (DKSOS app or Navionics) — anchor only on sandy bottom free of vegetation; fine DKK 10,000
- 2.Use 5:1 scope minimum — the Kattegat is almost tideless (0.3m tidal range); scope is about depth and holding quality
- 3.Remember: anchoring is tolerated for 1 night only in unoccupied natural anchorages — it is not a legal right in Denmark
- 4.Set your anchor alarm to 65m before sleeping — Kattegat weather can deteriorate rapidly; be ready to leave
About This Anchorage
Anholt is the sole inhabited island in the central Kattegat — 40km from the nearest mainland coast (Jutland) and 35km from the nearest Swedish coast (Varberg area). The island is tiny (22km²) but ecologically extraordinary: 80% is a designated nature reserve consisting of vast sand dunes and heathland (the 'Anholt Desert' — the only true desert in Denmark). The population is approximately 170 people. The harbour at Nordby is primarily a ferry terminal and emergency refuge — it provides inadequate shelter in easterly conditions. Experienced Kattegat sailors treat Anholt as a waypoint and fair-weather stop only. The crossing from Grenaa (25nm) or Ebeltoft (28nm) should only be made in settled weather with a favourable forecast.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · SE · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); harbour fee approx DKK 130–160/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Nature reserve covers 80% of island — strict access rules; land only on marked paths; no camping outside designated site; no fires; eelgrass fine DKK 10,000; anchoring tolerated 1 night; ferry traffic daily from Grenaa.
Hazards
- !EMERGENCY HARBOUR ONLY in easterly swell — not a comfortable anchorage; Kattegat builds steep seas in minutes in E/SE winds
- !40km from mainland — genuine offshore passage; plan weather window of at least 48 hours settled forecast
- !Ferry traffic (Grenaa daily) — maintain clear passage from ferry berth
- !Sand bar and shallow approach in low water — follow buoys carefully; chart DA 120 essential
- !Nature reserve: 80% of island protected — serious fines for landing outside designated areas
Skipper's Tips
- →The crossing from Grenaa or Ebeltoft should ONLY be made with a 48-hour settled westerly forecast — Kattegat can go from flat to 3m in under 2 hours in strong E/SE
- →Anholt's 'desert' (Ørkenen) is utterly unique in Scandinavia — vast dune landscape with heathland; the walk from Nordby takes 1 hour across the island
- →The grey seals on the eastern beach (Sælerne strand) are remarkable — colony of several hundred; approach quietly from the dunes on foot
- →Anholt lighthouse (Nordby Fyr) gives excellent views across the entire Kattegat — visible 18nm in clear conditions
- →Time arrival for afternoon after checking forecast — depart before any E/SE wind develops; do not be caught on Anholt in deteriorating easterly weather
Facilities
One restaurant/hotel at Nordby (Anholt Kro) — open in summer. Small shop with basic provisions. Limited resupply — bring everything you need.
Nearest provisions: Anholt Nordby shop (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August only, settled conditions only. The island is extraordinary but the passage is genuinely offshore — treat it with respect. September can be beautiful but weather windows shorten significantly.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In the Kattegat, rapid weather changes and exposed anchorages make continuous GPS monitoring essential. Safety Anchor Alarm keeps watch so you can rest.
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