Akranes
Akranes harbour · Faxaflói west shore · Akranes marina
64°19.3'N 022°04.5'W
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
50m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m
50m in 3–6m on sand and mud. Good holding in the sheltered inner harbour. W–NW exposure from Faxaflói bay can generate swell and chop in W–NW winds — the harbour is protected from N through SE but open to the open bay from the W quarter. Akranes is a useful daytime stop and transit point across Faxaflói; for overnighting in strong W–NW conditions consider Reykjavik or Hvalfjörður.
About This Anchorage
Akranes is a town of approximately 7,500 people on the Akranes Peninsula, directly across Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavik (18nm by sea, 55km by road via the Hvalfjörður tunnel). It is the most convenient yacht stop on the W side of Faxaflói and offers surprisingly good provisioning for its size. The Akranes Folk Museum includes a genuine fishing vessel and exhibits on Icelandic rural life. The two Akranes lighthouses (one old, one operational) at the peninsula tip are among Iceland's most photographed. The cement works at Akranes is one of Iceland's few heavy industries — visible from the harbour approach. The bay crossing from Reykjavik to Akranes is a pleasant 3-hour sail in settled conditions.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Harbour fees apply — contact Akranes harbour master VHF Ch. 12 for current rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Small boat harbour — fishing vessels and recreational boats have priority; visiting yachts should confirm available berth space before arrival. Industrial cement works operations at the nearby industrial harbour — keep clear of cement loading operations. VHF Ch. 12 for harbour. Speed limit 3 knots within harbour area.
Hazards
- !Faxaflói W–NW exposure: the harbour is open to W–NW swell from the bay; in sustained W–NW winds (common in summer) the harbour can be uncomfortable — surge from the bay entrance makes overnight stays in strong W winds challenging
- !Tidal range: 3–4m spring tidal range means the harbour dries in some areas at MLWS; confirm depths carefully and plan mooring with adequate scope and adjustment for tidal drop
- !Industrial traffic: cement works at the adjacent industrial harbour — large cement freighters manoeuvre in the area; maintain watch and give commercial vessels right of way in the bay approach
- !Faxaflói crossing weather: the 18nm crossing from Reykjavik to Akranes across open Faxaflói is exposed to N–NE winds which can build steep choppy seas; check forecast carefully for the crossing window
Skipper's Tips
- →Akranes lighthouses: the twin lighthouses at the peninsula tip are a short walk from the harbour — the older disused lighthouse (c.1918) and the modern active lighthouse make an interesting comparison; the view across Faxaflói to Reykjavik and Mt. Esja is excellent
- →Sunset sailing: the crossing from Akranes to Reykjavik in the late evening (10–11pm in July) with the midnight sun approaching the horizon behind the Reykjanes Peninsula and Esja reflecting in the bay is one of the finest sailing moments available in Iceland
- →Faxaflói whales: fin whales, minke whales, and harbour porpoise are regularly seen in Faxaflói bay — the Reykjavik whale-watching fleet operates here; keep 300m distance from all cetaceans
- →Hvalfjörður connection: Akranes is the closest harbour to the entrance of Hvalfjörður — a 10nm sail north leads to the fjord entrance and 30km of sheltered cruising; a good base combination for SW Iceland exploration
Facilities
Akranes has a supermarket (Krónan or similar), fuel station, and several cafes and restaurants. Marine fuel available at the harbour. Adequate for passage provisioning. The folk museum cafe is a pleasant stop. Better provisioning than smaller Icelandic harbours but not comparable to Reykjavik.
Nearest provisions: Akranes supermarket (0.3nm) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Akranes is accessible as a day stop throughout the sailing season. The position on the W side of Faxaflói makes it a natural waypoint for yachts heading N toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords, or the N coast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 50m
In Iceland, tidal range of 3–4m and sudden williwaw gusts from the highland plateau can drag anchors overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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