Medemblik (IJsselmeer)
Medemblik harbour · Westfriesland · Kasteel Radboud
52°46.1'N 05°06.3'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m on excellent IJsselmeer mud/clay in 2–4m. Non-tidal — no scope adjustment needed for tidal swing. Allow for wind-driven level variations (0.3–0.5m in sustained SW). Marina berths available in inner harbour.
Setting Your Anchor
- Check tidal height for your arrival time using Waddengids or Rijkswaterstaat tidal tables
- Plan arrival at HW -2 for tidal locations; IJsselmeer anchorages are non-tidal — arrive any time
- Navigate daylight only in all Wadden and coastal channels; IJsselmeer night sailing permitted with care
- Set your anchor alarm immediately after anchoring — before going below or sleeping
About This Anchorage
Medemblik is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands (first mentioned 980 AD) and the westernmost IJsselmeer harbour. The 13th-century Kasteel Radboud stands directly on the waterfront — one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the country. The old town centre has retained its historic character with step-gabled merchant houses, a small museum, and the Railway Museum steam line to Hoorn. The IJsselmeer off Medemblik is excellent sailing — non-tidal, open water, and the town is less crowded than Enkhuizen or Hoorn in summer. Access via the Afsluitdijk locks (Den Oever or Kornwerderzand) from the Wadden Sea. From Amsterdam, approach via the North Sea Canal and Alkmaar–Enkhuizen waterway.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina approx €18–24/night; outer roadstead anchoring free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Non-tidal IJsselmeer — no tidal planning needed; speed limit 20 km/h on IJsselmeer; electronic charts mandatory (channel poles shift); no anchoring in navigation channels.
Hazards
- !Steep short seas build rapidly in sustained SW–W winds on IJsselmeer — no ocean swell attenuation; uncomfortable even at 15kt SW
- !Wind seiche (seiches): sustained SW winds cause water level rise of 0.3–0.5m at east end of IJsselmeer — plan accordingly
- !Electronic charts mandatory: yellow channel-marking poles shift annually; paper charts become outdated quickly
- !Lock times: Den Oever and Kornwerderzand locks have scheduled opening times — check before departure
- !Shallow approaches from W in some areas — keep to marked channels approaching harbour entrance
Skipper's Tips
- →Kasteel Radboud (open April–October) is one of the finest medieval castles in the Netherlands — visit by dinghy or on foot from the harbour
- →The Museum Stoomtram Hoorn–Medemblik runs a historic steam train — book ahead and connect to Hoorn by water for a full day circuit
- →IJsselmeer sailing at its best: leave Medemblik at 0800 on a SW breeze for a beam reach to Enkhuizen (18nm) — arrive for lunch
- →Fresher water (IJsselmeer) means different antifouling requirements — check if your paint is effective in freshwater
- →The old town centre is completely walkable from the harbour — the Westfries Archief (regional archive) building is architecturally remarkable
Facilities
Medemblik old town has restaurants and cafés. Supermarket in town (0.5km from harbour). Fresh bread available at the harbour baker.
Nearest provisions: Medemblik town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. The IJsselmeer sailing season. Medemblik is less crowded than Hoorn and Enkhuizen and offers better anchorage options. Historic town with excellent heritage value.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In the Texelstroom and North Holland waters, tidal currents can drag your anchor without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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