Blåvands Huk
Blavands Huk · Blåvand · Blåvands Huk lighthouse
55°33.2'N 08°04.6'E
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m minimum for the 4–8m depth range on an exposed headland. The North Sea swell can penetrate from the west even in calm weather — always use 90m minimum and be prepared to move at short notice. Do not anchor here in any westerly condition.
About This Anchorage
Blåvands Huk is the westernmost point of mainland Denmark — a dramatic, lonely headland where the North Sea meets the Wadden Sea. The tall white lighthouse (Blåvand Fyr, 1900, 39m) is a major navigation mark for North Sea passages. The headland is characterised by white sand dunes, marram grass, and WWII German fortifications (part of the Atlantic Wall — bunkers and gun emplacements partially buried in the dunes, now forming the Blue Museum / Tirpitz Museum). The passage anchorage south of the headland is weather-dependent and only suitable in settled E/NE conditions. For North Sea passage yachts, this is a waypoint and potential overnight stop in calm conditions. Strong currents around the point — time arrival for slack.
Protected From
N · NE · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Open North Sea exposure — only anchor in settled NE or E conditions; Nature reserve dunes — no fires; Tirpitz museum bunkers on shore (open to visitors); tidal range 0.5–1.0m; North Sea traffic separation — monitor VHF 16 and AIS.
Hazards
- !Fully exposed to West, SW, and NW — North Sea swell; ONLY anchor in settled NE/E conditions
- !Strong currents around the headland 1–2 kt — time arrival for slack water
- !North Sea traffic — AIS monitoring essential; separation zone to north
- !Sandbanks extend 2–3nm west of the headland — use chart carefully on approach
- !Weather can deteriorate rapidly on the North Sea coast — have escape plan to Esbjerg (20nm N)
Skipper's Tips
- →Blåvands Huk is primarily a waypoint for North Sea passages rather than an overnight destination — the Tirpitz Museum is worth a shore visit if conditions are calm
- →The Tirpitz Museum (2021) is one of the finest WWII museums in Europe — the building itself (embedded in the dune) is an architectural marvel; reserve online
- →The headland at sunset in calm conditions is dramatic — the lighthouse, the North Sea horizon, and the dune landscape make for exceptional photography
- →Transit the headland at slack water — current 1–2 kt around the point; plan with DMI tidal tables (Esbjerg datum)
- →For North Sea arrivals from the north: Blåvands Huk to Esbjerg transit is 20nm north — straightforward in the buoyed Grådyb approach
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Tirpitz Museum (WWII) 2km from lighthouse — café open in summer. Nearest full provisions: Esbjerg (20nm N) or Blåvand village (3km).
Nearest provisions: Blåvand village (3km by foot/cycle) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August only — open North Sea headland. Extremely weather-dependent. Best used as a passage waypoint; overnight only in exceptional settled conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
In the Wadden Sea's tidal channels, water level can drop 2m overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — critical for tidal anchorages.
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