Hanko
Hangö · Hanko harbour
59°49.6'N 22°57.9'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding in sand/mud in 3–6m. Marina berths available for more security. In SE or S conditions above F4, use marina berth. Busy marina in July — reserve in advance.
About This Anchorage
Hanko (Swedish: Hangö) is the southernmost city in mainland Finland and one of the most important sailing destinations in the country. The city sits on a peninsula at the very tip of the Finnish coast, facing the open Baltic — a strategic position that has made it significant throughout Finnish history. The town has a charming 19th-century resort character — the Russian aristocracy built summer villas here in the late 1800s, and many of the ornate wooden villas survive along the beaches. The East Harbour marina is large and well-equipped (fuel, water, showers, laundry, restaurants). Hanko is the departure point for the Hanko Regatta (one of Scandinavia's largest yacht races) and a natural waypoint between the Turku Archipelago/Åland and the Helsinki coast.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · W
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; marina fee approx €30–40/night at East Harbour marina
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Active port — commercial traffic in West Harbour (Länssatama); speed limit in harbour area; marina reservation system in peak July.
Hazards
- !Very busy in July — Hanko Regatta brings hundreds of yachts; reserve marina berth
- !Open to south and SE across open Baltic — southerly conditions expose outer anchorage
- !Commercial port traffic in West Harbour — monitor AIS
- !Strong currents around Hanko point in strong wind conditions
- !The southernmost point of Finland — weather patterns can differ from inner coastal waters
Skipper's Tips
- →Hanko's 19th-century Russian villa district is a remarkable architectural heritage — cycle along the beach road (Appelgrenintie) for the best examples
- →The Hanko Front monument (1918) at the entrance to the city covers the complex history of Finnish independence — important context for understanding Finland
- →Fuel up here before any serious Baltic passage — Hanko has the best fuel facilities on the SW Finnish coast
- →The beaches at Hanko are the best on the Finnish mainland coast — the sandy beach extends 2nm from the city centre
- →Hanko to Turku (60nm west, through outer Turku Archipelago) or Helsinki (80nm east) are both classic day sails from a well-rested crew
Facilities
Multiple restaurants in Hanko (10 min walk). Supermarket near marina. Fuel dock at East Harbour. Chandlery in city.
Nearest provisions: Hanko city centre (10 min walk) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Hanko is the hub of Finnish coastal sailing. Very busy in July (Hanko Regatta). Excellent facilities make this the best provisioning stop on the SW Finnish coast.