Helgoland
Heligoland · Helgoland Düne · Helgoland Binnenhafen
54°10.8'N 07°53.4'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for 4–10m depth on clean North Sea sand east of the Düne. The deep water around Helgoland means no tidal grounding risk — the main concern is the open east exposure in E/SE conditions. Increase to 100m in fresh easterly. In strong E, use the Binnenhafen (inner harbour) instead.
About This Anchorage
Helgoland is Germany's only offshore island — a dramatic 60m red sandstone rock standing alone 70nm from the mainland, the only German territory in the open North Sea. The island is famous as a duty-free zone (tobacco, spirits, perfume at port prices), its dramatic geology, and the extraordinary grey seal colony on the adjacent Düne sandbank island. The surrounding waters are deep — no tidal navigation problems that affect the East Frisian coast. The natural harbour (Binnenhafen) accommodates 600+ visiting yachts annually. The 1947 demolition (the British attempted to destroy the island as a test) and subsequent reconstruction is part of Helgoland's remarkable recent history. The lobster restaurant tradition dates from the 19th century. The climb to the Oberland (upper town) gives views across the entire Helgoland Bight in clear conditions.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · SE · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Düne anchorage); marina fee approx €18–25/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Duty-free zone — customs declaration on departure; Grey seal colony on Düne east beach — 50m exclusion zone; bird protection in Lummenfelsen (Guillemot Rock) area; speed limit 8kt in harbour approaches; AIS monitoring recommended.
Hazards
- !70nm offshore passage — plan weather window; North Sea can produce 4–5m swells in W gales; approach from E via Elbe fairway or from W/NW
- !Open to east and SE from the Düne anchorage — in E conditions use Binnenhafen; ferry wash from day-tripper vessels (500+ daily in summer)
- !Customs zone: duty-free limits apply; declare goods on return to mainland
- !Guillemot cliffs (Lummenfelsen) — exclusion zone for nesting birds; respect marked boundaries
- !Tidal currents around Helgoland 2–3kt at springs — monitor when leaving the harbour area
Skipper's Tips
- →Approach from the south via the Elbe fairway (recommended for first-time visitors) or from the west: both routes are deep and well-marked
- →The Düne seal colony is accessible by dinghy — approach slowly from the water (not the beach) and stay 50m off; hundreds of grey seals visible year-round
- →Duty-free shopping: spirits, tobacco, and perfume at significant discounts; the Customs limit returning to Germany (or EU) is €430 per person
- →The Lummenfelsen (Guillemot Rock) tour from the harbour (seasonal May–Jul) gives close-up views of nesting Guillemots, Razorbills, and Gannets — unique in Germany
- →Climb the Lange Anna (Long Anna) sea stack on the northwest corner — the dramatic 47m red sandstone pillar is Helgoland's symbol; free access, 20 minutes from harbour
Facilities
Multiple restaurants in Unterland and Oberland. Famous Helgoland lobster restaurants (seasonal). Duty-free shops open from 06:00 daily. Full supermarket (duty-free prices).
Nearest provisions: Helgoland Unterland (duty-free shops) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
May–September. The 70nm offshore passage should only be made in settled conditions — minimum 24h weather window recommended. Summer (Jun–Aug) gives the longest weather windows and calmest conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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