Porkkala
Porkkala udde · Porkkalanniemi · Porkkala peninsula
59°59.0'N 24°23.8'E
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for excellent holding in deep mud/clay in 4–9m. Very reliable holding in the deep channel. In southerly conditions the anchorage is exposed to Gulf of Finland fetch — move to the inner channel.
About This Anchorage
Porkkala is one of the most historically significant peninsulas on the Finnish coast — it was leased to the Soviet Union from 1944 to 1956 as a military base following WWII, displacing 7,000 Finnish residents. The peninsula was completely closed to Finns during this period and returned in a state of disrepair. Today it is a nature reserve with dramatic granite coastline, old military infrastructure from both Finnish and Soviet periods, and excellent sailing waters. The deep channel behind the peninsula gives outstanding anchorage in mud and clay. The outer tip of Porkkala is a key waypoint for sailors between Helsinki and the western archipelago.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Nature reserve — designated walking paths; some former military areas may have restricted access — check current charts; no fires outside designated areas.
Hazards
- !Open to south and SW across outer Gulf of Finland — southerly conditions expose the anchorage
- !Former military area — some restricted zones may remain; check current charts
- !Deep channel (4–9m) requires more scope for adequate holding
- !Rocks and shoals throughout approach — use Finnish chart; former military buoying may be incomplete
- !Helsinki shipping lanes pass close to Porkkala tip — monitor AIS
Skipper's Tips
- →Porkkala's Cold War history is extraordinary — the 1944–1956 Soviet occupation period left remarkable traces; walk the old Soviet infrastructure
- →The outer tip of Porkkala gives 180° views south over the Gulf of Finland toward Estonia (70nm) — on clear days the Estonian coast is visible
- →The deep mud channel provides some of the best holding on the Helsinki coast — excellent in strong northerlies
- →Sea eagle and white-tailed eagle sightings are frequent around Porkkala — bring binoculars
- →The passage around Porkkala point requires care — rocks extend 300m offshore; use chart carefully
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Nearest provisions at Kirkkonummi village (5nm) or Helsinki (25nm).
Nearest provisions: Kirkkonummi (5nm inland) (5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Nature reserve location with good wild camping and swimming. Historical interest throughout the year but sailing season Jun–Aug only.