Klaksvík
Klaksvig · Klaksvík harbour
62°13.6'N 006°35.2'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m in the inner harbour on mud/sand in 3–8m. The harbour is well protected — NW is the only significant exposure and is partially blocked by surrounding mountains. A reliable and comfortable overnight stop for exploring the northern islands.
About This Anchorage
Klaksvík is the second-largest city in the Faroe Islands with a population of approximately 5,000, and serves as the base for cruising the six remote northern islands (Borðoy, Fugloy, Kalsoy, Kunoy, Svínoy, Viðoy). The harbour is situated in the dramatic Borðoyarvík fjord, enclosed on three sides by mountains that reach 600m, giving the harbour a spectacular and completely sheltered character. The city has a good supermarket (Miklagarður), fuel (diesel from the quay), chandlery, and a fish processing industry. The famous Christianskirkjan church (1963) with its boat-shaped structure is an architectural landmark. The northern islands from Klaksvík offer some of the most extreme and remote sailing in the Faroe Islands — sheer 700m cliff walls on Kalsoy, the lighthouse at Enniberg (the highest lighthouse cliff in the world at 754m), and islands with populations of fewer than 20 people reachable only by helicopter, ferry, or yacht.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; quay berth nominal fee — ask harbour master; diesel available at commercial quay
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Contact harbour master on VHF Ch 16 or at the harbour office on arrival; fishing boats have priority at the main quay; the inner harbour is a working fishing port — respect commercial traffic.
Hazards
- !Tidal streams in the outer approaches: 2–3kt in the main channel between Borðoy and Eysturoy — time arrival for fair tide
- !Tidal races between northern islands (Kalsoy, Kunoy, Svínoy passages): 5–7kt with breaking overfalls — RAK app mandatory for any inter-island passage
- !Katabatic gusts off 600m mountain walls into the fjord: possible in strong NW winds — use adequate scope even in the sheltered harbour
- !Remote from emergency services: nearest hospital is in Tórshavn; 35nm via the inner route
- !Fugloy and Svínoy passages: among the most powerful tidal races in the Faroes — expert navigation only with precise timing
Skipper's Tips
- →Provision fully at Klaksvík before heading to the northern islands — Kalsoy, Kunoy, Fugloy, and Svínoy have no shops
- →The Kalsoy lighthouse at Kallur (north tip of Kalsoy) is one of the finest sailing destinations in the Faroes — approached by sea under the 700m cliff walls; a 90-minute walk from the small harbour at Trøllanes
- →The Enniberg cliff on Viðoy (754m) is the highest sea cliff in the world — visible from Klaksvík on a clear day
- →The passage between Borðoy and Kunoy is straightforward but the approaches to Fugloy and Svínoy require precise tidal timing — consult RAK app and plan a minimum of 2 days ahead
- →Klaksvík has good WiFi at the harbour and in the town centre — download all required charts and pilot information here before heading north
Facilities
Several restaurants and cafés in Klaksvík centre (5-minute walk). Supermarket (good selection) for provisioning. Diesel at the commercial quay — ask harbour master. Small chandlery near the harbour.
Nearest provisions: Klaksvík centre (0.3nm) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. The northern islands are accessible in summer only for most cruising yachts. The outer passages to Fugloy and Svínoy require settled weather and precise tidal timing — plan at least 3 days of weather window for outer island excursions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the remote outer islands of the Faroe Islands, an undetected anchor drag in the night can put you on rocks with no assistance available for hours. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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