Rottumeroog
Rottum · Rottumeroog (uninhabited) · Rottumerplaat
53°33.0'N 06°34.0'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m on sand and mud in 2–4m at HW. Anchor in the Schild channel south side only — open to south and west. This is a passage anchorage only — strong tidal streams and exposure to west make it unsuitable for extended stays. Emergency shelter only without permit.
About This Anchorage
Rottumeroog is the easternmost and most remote of the Dutch Wadden Islands — entirely uninhabited and strictly protected. The island is managed by Staatsbosbeheer as a nature reserve and is one of the largest grey seal and harbour seal breeding grounds in the Netherlands. It can only be visited with a special permit from Staatsbosbeheer (applied for months in advance). The island itself is ephemeral — it has shifted 10km eastward in the last 200 years through ongoing Wadden dynamics; the lighthouse that once stood here was removed in 2001 as the island's position became unstable. The anchorage in the Schild channel is used by passage sailors crossing between the Netherlands and Germany (Borkum, Emden, Delfzijl). Strong tidal streams throughout the area.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchorage); landing requires Staatsbosbeheer permit
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED for landing (Staatsbosbeheer, apply months in advance); temporary anchorage permitted in Schild channel for passage sailors; no landing without permit; no anchoring in seal colony areas; strong tidal streams — navigate with caution; Waddengids essential for this area.
Hazards
- !Strong tidal streams 2–3kt in Schild channel at springs — plan tidal timing carefully
- !Exposure to west and SW — this is an open, remote location in the outer Wadden Sea
- !Shifting sandbanks — the island and surrounding flats change position after storms; use current Waddengids and chart
- !Seal colonies — no approach within 500m of hauling-out areas; do not disturb breeding seals
- !Completely uninhabited — no assistance available; self-sufficiency essential; nearest help at Eemshaven or Delfzijl
Skipper's Tips
- →Rottumeroog is a passage waypoint between the Netherlands and Germany (Borkum 12nm to the east) — commonly used by offshore cruisers
- →Apply for a Staatsbosbeheer landing permit at least 3 months in advance (website: staatsbosbeheer.nl) — permits are strictly limited and highly sought after
- →Grey seal and harbour seal colonies are visible from the anchorage with binoculars — one of the largest in the Netherlands
- →The area around Rottumerplaat (sandbar to the west) is critically important for tern nesting (April–August) — keep well clear and engine to minimum speed
- →Eemshaven (15nm west on mainland) is the best staging point — modern marina with full facilities and fuel before the offshore Rottumeroog passage
Facilities
No facilities whatsoever — completely uninhabited. Nearest provisions: Eemshaven (15nm mainland) or Delfzijl (20nm). Carry all supplies.
Nearest provisions: Eemshaven (15nm mainland) (15nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August only — remote offshore location. Passage stop only in most cases. Landing permits extremely difficult to obtain. Grey seal pupping season October–January — strictly off limits during this period.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In the Wadden Sea, anchor drag during a rising tide can strand you in a drying channel. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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