Ventspils Outer Roads
Ventspils roads · Ventspils port approach
57°24.1'N 21°33.2'E
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
110m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
110m
110m radius for good sand/mud holding in 5–12m. Larger radius due to depth and commercial traffic exposure. AIS mandatory. Maintain strict watch for commercial vessels — Ventspils handles LNG, bulk cargo, and Ro-Ro traffic 24/7. The outer roads are a staging stop only — proceed to yacht harbour for overnight.
About This Anchorage
Ventspils is the powerhouse of the Latvian coast — the largest port in Latvia and one of the most important in the entire Baltic, handling LNG exports, grain, fertilizers, and Ro-Ro traffic through its modern port infrastructure. The city's maritime wealth shows in its extraordinary civic investment — Ventspils is consistently rated among the cleanest and best-managed cities in Latvia, with a famous beach promenade (Ostas iela), a medieval castle (Ventspils Castle, 13th century, Livonian Order), and an outstanding Open-Air Museum of historic buildings gathered from across the Courland region. For visiting sailors, the outer roads provide a brief staging anchorage before negotiating the port canal to reach the excellent Ventspils Yacht Club marina, which sits in a sheltered inner basin close to the city centre. The approach requires calling Ventspils Port Radio (VHF Ch 16) and receiving clearance before entering the channel — commercial traffic is continuous. The city itself is one of the best-equipped provisioning stops on the entire Latvian coast, with a large supermarket, fuel, chandlery, and marine services available.
Protected From
N · NE
Exposed To
W · SW · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free outer roads; marina fee at Ventspils Yacht Club
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: CRITICAL: Stay clear of commercial shipping lanes and TSS. AIS mandatory. Call VHF Ch 16 for port clearance before entering Venta River channel.
Hazards
- !CRITICAL: Extremely busy commercial port — LNG tankers, bulk carriers; AIS mandatory at all times
- !TSS active — do not cross shipping lanes without clearance from Ventspils Port Radio
- !Exposed to W and SW from open Baltic
- !Venta River current up to 2 knots — affects approach timing
- !LNG terminal to north — restricted zone; stay clear of marked exclusion zone
Skipper's Tips
- →Call Ventspils Port Radio VHF Ch 16 for clearance before entering port channel — mandatory
- →Ventspils Yacht Club marina is excellent — fuel, water, provisions, and showers available
- →Ventspils Castle (13th century Livonian Order) is fascinating — well-restored museum
- →Open-Air Museum (Brīvdabas muzejs) has exceptional collection of historic buildings from Courland
- →Best provisioning stop on the entire Latvian west coast — stock up here before heading south
Facilities
No facilities in outer roads. Full city facilities including fuel, water, and provisions at Ventspils Yacht Club marina.
Nearest provisions: Ventspils city (1nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Outer roads are a staging stop — proceed to marina for overnight. Commercial traffic runs 24/7. Ventspils is an excellent base for exploring the west coast in both directions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 110m
On Latvia's exposed west coast, where open Baltic swell and rapidly changing conditions near Cape Kolka are a constant reality, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously during Latvia's Jun–Aug sailing season.
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