Greifswalder Bodden
Greifswalder Oie · Thiessow approach · Outer Bodden
54°14.9'N 13°42.0'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for the outer Bodden in 2–5m. The large open area of the outer Bodden means longer fetch in NW or SE winds — not as sheltered as the inner Bodden anchorages at Gager or Schaprode. Use primarily as a staging anchorage.
About This Anchorage
The Greifswalder Bodden is Germany's largest coastal lagoon — a 60 km² shallow sea enclosed between the south coast of Rügen, Usedom, and the mainland. Maximum depth 5m, average 2–3m. The lagoon is a major staging area for Baltic migratory birds (Crane, Goose, Duck) in autumn, and one of the most productive Baltic fishing grounds. The Greifswalder Oie (small island in the outer Bodden) is a famous bird observatory where millions of migrants are ringed annually. Greifswald city (Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Gothic churches, Caspar David Friedrich birthplace 15nm away at Greifswald-Wieck) is the cultural centre. The lagoon is used primarily as a transit and staging area for the passage between Rügen and Usedom.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SW · W
Exposed To
SE · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Buoyed channels essential — do not stray outside marks; Greifswalder Oie island: day visits permitted but bird observatory rules apply; speed limit 8kt in Bodden; Nationalpark protection zones.
Hazards
- !Very shallow Bodden — do not stray outside buoyed channels; areas outside marks may be 0.5–1.0m
- !SE and NW exposure across large open Bodden — short steep chop in strong conditions
- !Baltic water level variation particularly pronounced in the large shallow Bodden — strong NE wind can raise level 0.5m; strong SW lowers
- !No facilities whatsoever — pure transit anchorage
Skipper's Tips
- →The Greifswalder Oie bird observatory (accessible by day charter from Greifswald or by dinghy if anchored close) — September crane migration produces flocks of 40,000 Cranes visible simultaneously; one of Germany's great natural spectacles
- →The outer Bodden in calm summer conditions is excellent for dinghy exploration — the flat, clear water gives views of the bottom in 2–3m; sea grass meadows, Bladderwrack, and Baltic fish
- →Greifswald city is accessible from the Bodden via the Ryck river (buoyed, depth 3m) — the university city has the finest collection of Gothic brick churches outside Stralsund and Lübeck
- →The Caspar David Friedrich connection: Friedrich was born in Greifswald (1774) — the Pommersches Landesmuseum has the largest collection of his original works; the Bodden landscape directly inspired his paintings
- →As a transit anchorage, the outer Bodden is a useful overnight stop on the passage from Stralsund to Usedom or Swinoujscie (Poland) — 2–3m of mud, adequate shelter in settled conditions
Facilities
No facilities in the outer Bodden anchorage. Greifswald city (15nm): full services. Nearest harbour: Thiessow (Rügen south tip) or Usedom/Karlshagen.
Nearest provisions: Greifswald city (15nm via Ryck river) (8nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. Best used as a transit anchorage — plan onwards to Gager or Lauterbach (inner Bodden, more sheltered) for overnight stays. The September crane migration makes the outer Bodden extraordinary in late September.
Recommended Anchor Types
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the Rügen Bodden lagoons, wind-driven water level changes and shallow depths make overnight anchor monitoring essential. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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