Harmaja

About This Anchorage

Harmaja (Swedish: Gråhara — 'Grey Rock') is the lighthouse island at the entrance to Helsinki's sea approaches — the classic landfall for Baltic sailors approaching Helsinki from south or west. The red and white lighthouse (1883, current tower) is visible from 20nm on a clear day and serves as the main approach mark. The island is a Finnish Maritime Administration station with year-round staff. The anchorage in the lee of the island gives limited shelter — primarily suitable as a brief overnight in settled westerly conditions or a lunchtime stop. The proximity to Helsinki's main shipping channel requires constant vigilance. A landmark rather than a destination — but anchoring in the shadow of an active lighthouse while watching Helsinki's ferries is memorable.

Hazards

• !Helsinki main shipping channel immediately adjacent — large vessel traffic at all hours; monitor AIS constantly
• !Active lighthouse station — do not interfere with station operations
• !Fair holding only on sand/rock — anchor carefully on sandy patches
• !Open to east and NE across Gulf of Finland — quickly exposed in easterly conditions
• !Ferry traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn/Stockholm passes close

Skipper's Tips

• →Harmaja is a waypoint anchorage rather than a destination — stop here for lunch or a brief overnight while waiting for weather or tide for Helsinki entry
• →The lighthouse at night is spectacular from the anchorage — the flashing pattern and the Helsinki ferry lights in the background
• →Helsinki is only 5nm north — use the anchorage as a staging point before entering the busy South Harbour
• →Night watch is essential here — shipping channel traffic never stops; always have someone on deck in the dark
• →The island's flat granite rocks are excellent for a brief walk in calm conditions — land by dinghy on the south side

Nearby Anchorages