Schleimünde

About This Anchorage

Schleimünde is the entrance to the Schlei — the narrow gap between the Baltic Sea and the 42km inland fjord. The lighthouse (Schleimünde Leuchtturm, 1871) stands on a narrow spit of land at the fjord entrance; the outer bay offers an excellent anchorage in westerly conditions. The entrance through the narrow gut (150m wide, 2.0m sandbar) is the only navigational challenge on the entire Schlei passage. Inside the gut, the fjord opens immediately — the transition from open Baltic to enclosed inland water is instantaneous. Schleimünde is a popular Baltic waypoint on the passage between Kiel and Flensburg — the anchorage is quiet, the lighthouse is beautiful, and the contrast between the open Baltic (to the east) and the reed-lined fjord mouth (to the west) is remarkable. Maasholm village (1km inside the entrance, population 100) is accessible by dinghy.

Hazards

• !Schlei entrance sandbar: 2.0m at chart datum — check current BSH soundings; bar shifts after winter storms
• !Exposed to E and NE — Baltic swell enters the outer bay in easterly gales; move inside the Schlei if conditions deteriorate
• !Wind-driven Baltic water level: strong W winds lower level 0.3–0.5m — important for the 2.0m bar

Skipper's Tips

• →Check current soundings for the Schleimünde bar before entry — the chart datum depth is 2.0m but the bar shifts; BSH updates charts annually
• →Anchor in the outer bay for sunset — the lighthouse silhouette against the eastern Baltic sky is one of the most photographed Baltic scenes
• →For Schlei entry: approach on a rising tide (wind from the east raises level) and in calm conditions — the bar is the only challenge; once inside, the fjord is straightforward

Nearby Anchorages