Schleswig
Schleswig-Haithabu · Schlei head · Hedeby / Haithabu
54°30.8'N 09°34.2'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for the Schleswig harbour anchorage in 2–4m. The head of the Schlei is completely sheltered from all directions — no sea-state issues. Baltic tidal range 0.2m. The mud is soft throughout — good holding for any anchor type.
About This Anchorage
Schleswig is the most historically significant city on the Schlei — for 500 years, from the 8th to 13th centuries, this was one of the most important trading centres in northern Europe. The Viking-Age city of Haithabu (Hedeby) — now UNESCO World Heritage — lies directly opposite on the south bank of the Schlei; in the 10th century, Haithabu was the largest city north of the Alps. The extraordinary Wikinger Museum Haithabu (Viking Museum) is one of the finest in northern Europe — full-scale reconstructed Viking ships, the excavated remains of the Viking longhouses, and the UNESCO-listed Thyra Wall ramparts surrounding the settlement. The medieval Schleswig Dom (Cathedral of St. Peter, 1150–1894) with its remarkable Bordesholm Altarpiece (1521, carved by Hans Brüggemann) is in the old city. The Gottorf Castle (Schleswig Landesmuseum) houses one of the finest archaeological collections in Germany — including the Nydam Boat (4th century AD, one of the oldest extant Scandinavian ships).
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Harbour fee approx €12–18/night; anchorage free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Speed limit 9kt throughout Schlei; eelgrass protection — anchor in sandy patches only; draught limit 1.8m throughout inner Schlei; Baltic range 0.2m.
Hazards
- !Speed limit 9kt strictly enforced throughout entire Schlei — also applies in harbour approaches
- !Draught limit 1.8m throughout the inner Schlei — check current BSH soundings for the navigation channel
- !Eelgrass beds throughout Schlei — anchor only in sandy patches; eelgrass damage causes environmental harm and anchor drag
- !Schlei max depth 9m (Kappeln); head of Schlei 2–4m — monitor depth sounder throughout the passage
Skipper's Tips
- →The Wikinger Museum Haithabu (UNESCO Haithabu/Hedeby) is one of the finest museums in Germany — allow a full day; the reconstructed Viking ships and excavated longhouses are extraordinary
- →The Nydam Boat in Gottorf Castle (4th century AD) is the oldest extant Scandinavian clinker-built vessel — a 23m rowing boat that predates the Viking Age; 30 minutes walk from the harbour
- →Sail or motor the entire 42km Schlei from Schleimünde to Schleswig — one of the great German Baltic inland voyages; the narrowing fjord and changing character (from broad bay to narrow river) is a remarkable experience
- →The Bordesholm Altarpiece in Schleswig Dom (1521) by Hans Brüggemann is one of the masterworks of German Late Gothic carving — 400 figures in oak, 12m high; extraordinary craftsmanship
Facilities
Schleswig city: full services, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, museums. Direct access to UNESCO Haithabu Viking Museum (1km across the Schlei by dinghy or footpath). The Gottorf Castle museum is 1km from the harbour.
Nearest provisions: Schleswig city centre (10 min walk) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. The UNESCO Haithabu Museum is open April–October. Schleswig is the finest cultural destination on the entire Schlei.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the shallow Schlei where wind-driven water level changes can expose sandbanks, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS