Juist
Juist Hafen · Billriff channel
53°40.8'N 07°00.0'E
Depth
1.5–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m but DRAUGHT CRITICAL: maximum recommended draught 1.5m. In neap tides, the Billriff channel may hold only 1.8–2.0m at HW. Plan carefully. The swinging room in the tiny harbour is very limited — anchor in the approach channel pool outside the harbour.
About This Anchorage
Juist is the most unusual of the East Frisian Islands — there are no motor vehicles (except the island ambulance and fire engine). Transport is by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, and foot. The island (17km long but only 500m wide) is almost entirely National Park — the western third is the village, the eastern two-thirds are pristine Wattenmeer and dune landscape. Juist has fewer than 1,700 inhabitants and accommodates approximately 2,000 visitors at any one time. Arriving by yacht to the tiny harbour — then being collected in a horse-drawn taxi — is one of the most memorable experiences on the German North Sea coast. The island's flat, car-free character makes it exceptionally peaceful. The Hammersee (freshwater lake) and Oase nature area are accessible by bicycle.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (approach channel); harbour fee approx €12–15/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No motor vehicles except emergency services — use horse carriage or bicycle for transport; UNESCO Wattenmeer strict rules; approach HW only (draught 1.5m max recommended); small harbour — call ahead on VHF 16; bird sanctuary areas closed Apr–Aug.
Hazards
- !Very shallow approach — draught 1.5m maximum recommended; at neap HW only 1.8–2.0m over the bar
- !Tiny harbour capacity (30–40 boats) — call harbour on VHF 16 before committing to approach; may be full in peak season
- !No fuel on island — plan fuel from Norddeich or Norderney before approach
- !UNESCO Wattenmeer strict rules — horse-drawn transport means no pushing boats on the tidal flat without permission
- !Very narrow island (500m) — wind shadows and acceleration in strong cross-wind conditions
Skipper's Tips
- →Juist is the most rewarding of the East Frisian islands for those who make the effort — the car-free atmosphere and remoteness are unique on the German coast
- →The horse-drawn taxi from the harbour to the village (Bürgemeister-Ahlers-Weg) is a classic Juist experience — book via the harbour master or simply flag one down
- →Bicycle hire at the harbour gives access to the entire island (17km length) — the dune path east of the village leads to completely uninhabited dune and tidal flat landscape
- →The Hammersee (freshwater lake) in the centre of the island has warm, calm swimming in summer — ideal after a North Sea passage
- →Time approach to arrive HW +0.5h: allows maximum water over the bar and time to settle the anchor before the ebb begins
Facilities
Several restaurants and cafes in the village. Small supermarket. No fuel on island — arrive with full tanks. Horse-drawn carriage from harbour to village (10 min).
Nearest provisions: Juist village (horse carriage, 10 min) (0.8nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August only — shallow draught essential and tidal timing critical. The narrow, peaceful island is most enjoyable mid-week; summer weekends see the capacity reached.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
On the German North Sea coast, tidal currents and North Sea swells make anchor drag a real overnight risk. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS