Schlei / Maasholm
Maasholm · Schlei Fjord · Schleimünde
54°40.7'N 10°00.9'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for all-round shelter in the Maasholm pool, 2–5m depth. The Schlei provides complete protection from all wind directions once inside the entrance. The only concern is depth — the Schleimünde bar has approximately 2.0m at chart datum; check current BSH soundings.
About This Anchorage
The Schlei is one of the most extraordinary sailing destinations in Germany — a 40km-long narrow inland fjord that cuts west through Schleswig-Holstein, narrowing to 500m at Schleswig before ending at the ancient Viking trading city of Haithabu. The fjord was the main Viking trade route connecting the North Sea and Baltic — goods were portaged across the isthmus at Schleswig, saving the 600nm voyage around Jutland. The entrance (Schleimünde) is a narrow gap with a sandbar (approximately 2.0m); once inside, the fjord opens to a magical sheltered inland sea. Maasholm at the mouth is a tiny fishing village of 100 inhabitants — one of the most atmospheric in Schleswig-Holstein. Arnis, 12km up the Schlei, is the smallest officially designated town in Germany (population 302).
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Schlei); harbour fees at Maasholm/Kappeln/Schleswig approx €10–16/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Speed limit 9kt throughout entire Schlei; draught limit 1.8m for inner Schlei (beyond Kappeln); bar at Schleimünde approx 2.0m — check current soundings; nature protection zones in parts of the Schlei.
Hazards
- !Schleimünde bar (approximately 2.0m at chart datum) — check current BSH soundings before entry; depth varies with weather and recent wind
- !Speed limit 9kt strictly enforced throughout Schlei — no exceptions
- !Draught limit 1.8m for inner Schlei beyond Kappeln — check current depth charts
- !Narrow fjord — overtaking manoeuvres must be carefully planned; sailing is possible but slow in the narrow sections
- !Nature protection zones — no anchoring in marked areas of the Schlei
Skipper's Tips
- →The Schlei Viking experience: Haithabu (Hedeby) at the head of the fjord is a UNESCO-listed Viking Age trading city — the open-air museum is one of the finest in Northern Europe; sail the entire 40km to experience it
- →Arnis — 12km up the Schlei — is Germany's smallest town (302 inhabitants): the ferry crossing (hand-pulled rope ferry) and the tiny harbour are charming; arrive by dinghy or anchor nearby
- →The Schlei is ideal for sailing in light winds — the narrow fjord produces its own micro-breezes; an evening sail in the inner Schlei with the wind off the fields is one of the most peaceful experiences in German sailing
- →Kappeln (halfway up the Schlei) has the last working Baltic herring run trap fishery in Germany — the Aalreuse (eel trap) is still in operation; see the herring season (May–June) if possible
- →From Maasholm, the circular outer Schlei route (sail out to the Baltic, return south to Schleimünde) gives a half-day excursion without entering the shallow inner fjord
Facilities
Maasholm: small restaurant (seasonal). Kappeln (12km up Schlei): full facilities, supermarket, fuel. Schleswig (40km inland): city services.
Nearest provisions: Kappeln (12km up Schlei) (6.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. The Schlei is an inland waterway — wind and rain are more sheltered here than on the open Baltic. April and October are possible in settled conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In the Baltic fjords, wind-driven water level changes and boat traffic make overnight anchor monitoring important. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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