Læsø — Østerby Havn
Østerby · Læsø east harbour · Østerbyhavn
57°17.5'N 11°10.1'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for the Østerby outer anchorage in 2–4m sand. Open to east toward Sweden — in easterly above F4 use the harbour. Sand holding is good in settled conditions.
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 70m before sleeping — Kattegat weather can deteriorate rapidly; be ready to leave
About This Anchorage
Østerby is the eastern harbour of Læsø — smaller than Vesterø, with a more tranquil character. The eastern side of the island is lower and sandier, with extensive beaches along the north coast (Læsø Nordstrand). The anchorage off Østerby is sheltered from the west and north but exposed to the east toward Sweden (approximately 50nm to the nearest Swedish coast at Varberg). The harbour is a good alternative to Vesterø when wind is from the north or west — the two harbours serve different wind conditions. The lobster fishing industry is centred here — lobster pots visible throughout the anchorage approach.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · SE · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); harbour fee approx DKK 120–150/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Lobster pots throughout approach — navigate carefully; eelgrass fine DKK 10,000; nature reserve zones; anchoring tolerated 1 night; ferry traffic from Frederikshavn.
Hazards
- !Lobster pots throughout the approach — navigate with extreme care; check for pot lines before anchoring
- !Open to east across Kattegat — uncomfortable in easterly above F4
- !Remote location — plan weather carefully for any passage to or from Læsø
Skipper's Tips
- →Østerby is the working lobster harbour — watching the fishing boats unload their catch is a genuine experience
- →The north beach (Læsø Nordstrand) is 10km of untouched white sand — one of Denmark's finest beaches
- →Combine Vesterø and Østerby by circumnavigating the island (15nm around) in settled conditions
Facilities
Small restaurant at Østerby Havn. Provisions from harbour shop. Full services available at Vesterø (8nm around the island).
Nearest provisions: Østerby harbour shop (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Use Østerby when wind is W/NW and Vesterø when wind is E/SE — the two harbours complement each other for different conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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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