Gilleleje

About This Anchorage

Gilleleje is the northernmost town on Zealand and the most important fishing harbour on the North Zealand coast. The famous Gilleleje Røgeri (smokehouse) has been smoking fish since 1870 — fresh smoked herring, mackerel, and eel bought directly from the quay are a highlight. The outer anchorage west of the harbour is comfortable in southerly and westerly winds (the most common summer pattern) on clean sand. Open to north — the full Kattegat fetch. The town has a fascinating WWII history: Jewish Danes were smuggled to Sweden from Gilleleje church in October 1943. The local museum covers both the fishing history and the rescue operation.

Hazards

• !Open to north — Kattegat fetch from N/NW; in northerly above F4, use harbour
• !Active commercial fishing harbour — keep clear of fishing vessel lanes
• !Kattegat swell from north can make anchorage uncomfortable
• !Tidal range 0.3–0.5m — allow adequate scope
• !Very busy in July–August — harbour can be full

Skipper's Tips

• →Buy fresh smoked herring (røget sild) directly from the Gilleleje Røgeri — the best in Denmark; available from 08:00 when the boats return
• →The WWII Jewish rescue story (October 1943) is told at the excellent Gilleleje Museum — essential history for any visitor
• →Gilleleje is the best anchorage on this coast for a southerly night — clean sand, good shelter, clear water for swimming
• →The walk to Nakkehoved lighthouse (4nm west) offers views across Øresund to the Swedish coast
• →From Gilleleje, Helsingør (Elsinore, Kronborg Castle) is 15nm east along the coast

Nearby Anchorages