Slītere Bay Anchorage
Kolkasrags approach anchorage · Slītere coast
57°41.9'N 22°36.1'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m radius for a challenging open anchorage. Sand and gravel holding is fair — set anchor very carefully. This anchorage should only be used in calm settled conditions with a reliable easterly forecast. Sandbar hazards require departure depth-sounding before committing to anchor. Do not sleep here in unsettled conditions — the exposure to W, NW, and N is severe.
About This Anchorage
The Slītere coast anchorage lies in the approaches to Cape Kolka (Kolkasrags), the northernmost point of the Courland Peninsula — one of the most dramatic and dangerous passages in the eastern Baltic. Cape Kolka has claimed hundreds of ships over the centuries, its notorious sandbars extending far offshore and shifting with each storm. The Slītere National Park — Latvia's oldest national park — protects the extraordinary landscape of the cape and its surroundings: ancient coastal dunes, primeval forest, and the Blue Hills (Zilais kalns), the highest point in the park. The anchorage on the Gulf of Riga side of the cape provides a staging point for rounding Kolka in the right weather window. In the right conditions — a light easterly, calm seas, good visibility — this is a spectacular and wild anchorage with pristine beaches, the pine forest of Slītere behind you, and the sense of standing at the edge of the world. The Livonian fishing village of Kolka itself, a few kilometres along the shore, is the last outpost of the Livonian people and can be reached by dinghy in calm conditions.
Protected From
E · SE
Exposed To
W · NW · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 2 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Slītere National Park: core zone restrictions apply inland; the coastal water is open for anchoring. Do not disturb beach-nesting birds (May–July).
Hazards
- !CRITICAL: Cape Kolka sandbars — treacherous, shifting sandbars extend far offshore; approach only with up-to-date chart
- !Exposed to W, NW, and N — untenable in any westerly or northerly wind above F2–3
- !Sand and gravel bottom — fair holding only; set anchor with care and leave ample scope
- !No escape route in deteriorating conditions — plan departure point before anchoring
- !Depth sounding essential — chart carefully during approach; do not rely on older charts for sandbar positions
Skipper's Tips
- →This anchorage is for experienced sailors who have studied the charts and checked the forecast — not for casual stops
- →Round Cape Kolka only in light winds and calm seas — the sandbar on the north side can break violently in any swell
- →The Slītere National Park viewpoint at Kolka lighthouse (Kolkasrags lighthouse) gives a dramatic view of the cape and offshore sandbars
- →Livonian fishing village of Kolka is one of the last places where Livonian language is still spoken — a remarkable cultural experience
- →VHF Ch 16 — nearest coast radio is Ventspils Radio; monitor at all times near the cape
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Small shop in Kolka village (3nm, accessible by dinghy in calm conditions).
Nearest provisions: Kolka village (3nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August only, and only in settled conditions with reliable easterly forecast. This anchorage requires careful weather planning. The best window for rounding Cape Kolka is typically early morning in light NE winds before the afternoon sea breeze develops.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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