Kuressaare Harbour
Kuressaare sadam · Arensburg
58°14.9'N 22°29.2'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding on mud/sand in 2–4m. Harbour is partially sheltered but open to south. In SW gales, surge can make the harbour uncomfortable — the castle breakwater provides some protection.
About This Anchorage
Kuressaare is the main town and harbour of Saaremaa, Estonia's largest island. The town is dominated by the remarkable Kuressaare Episcopal Castle, built in the 13th–14th centuries and the best-preserved medieval castle in the Baltic states — it houses the Saaremaa Museum. The harbour is a natural base for exploring the island, which is renowned for its windmills, juniper meadows, and meteor craters (Kaali crater, 2,500 years old). Saaremaa is part of the UNESCO West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. The island produces a famous local beer and is known for spa resorts. Sailing season is June–August; the harbour has basic facilities including water and fuel in summer.
Protected From
N · NE · E · W
Exposed To
S · SW · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina fees apply at harbour berths; free anchoring in outer roadstead
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Nature reserve zones nearby — check restrictions at harbour. Speed limit in harbour area. Biosphere Reserve rules apply across the island.
Hazards
- !Shallow approaches to Kuressaare — check chart carefully; depths decrease in approaches from SW
- !Open to S and SW — in strong southerly conditions harbour can be uncomfortable
- !Väinameri (Moon Sound) to the north is extremely shallow — keelboats must use marked channel
- !Biosphere Reserve restrictions in surrounding waters — check before anchoring in adjacent bays
Skipper's Tips
- →The Kuressaare castle is unmissable — allow half a day for the museum and medieval fortifications
- →Kaali meteorite crater (8km NE of town) is one of the best preserved impact craters in Europe — an easy bicycle ride
- →Saaremaa windmills are scattered across the island — the Angla windmill park (30km north) has five working examples
- →Spa hotels in Kuressaare offer excellent facilities if you want a night ashore — book ahead in July
- →Local Saaremaa beer is brewed on the island and widely available — excellent accompaniment to smoked fish
Facilities
Full town facilities — restaurants, supermarkets, fuel station within 1km of harbour.
Nearest provisions: Kuressaare town (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Harbour is ice-free from April–November. Best sailing July–August. Winter storms (Nov–Mar) make the southern exposure hazardous.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the shallow bays of the West Estonian Archipelago, anchor drag in an unfamiliar cove can put you aground before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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