Zierikzee
Zierikzee haven · Zierikzee Jachthaven · Gouwe
51°39.0'N 03°55.0'E
Depth
2–3.5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
50m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m
50m on harbour mud in 2–3.5m. Inner harbour mooring — lines fore and aft to harbour walls. The Oude Haven (Old Harbour) with the fortified Noorder- and Zuidhavenpoort (water gates, 14th–16th century) is the most photogenic mooring in Zeeland.
About This Anchorage
Zierikzee is the most spectacularly preserved medieval town in Zeeland — the city walls, fortified water gates (Nobelpoort, Noorderhavenpoort, Zuidhavenpoort), and the massive unfinished Sint-Lievens-Monstertoren (72m tower, begun 1454, never completed — the money ran out) are all intact. The town was one of the most important ports in the medieval Netherlands — the madder spice trade (used for red dye in the textile industry) made Zierikzee wealthy in the 15th century. The inner harbour (Nieuwe Haven) is directly in the city centre — the medieval water gates frame the harbour entrance. The town's medieval street plan, canal system, and townhouses are virtually unchanged since 1600. The Stadhuismuseum (Town Hall Museum) covers Zeeland maritime and trade history. Access from Grevelingenmeer via the Zijpe sluice (check tidal timing).
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina fee approx €16–22/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Harbour mooring only — no anchoring in inner harbour; Zijpe approach from Grevelingenmeer is tidal (check water levels); Oosterschelde approach has tidal streams; heritage zone — no modifications to quay structures; harbour master on VHF 74.
Hazards
- !Zijpe approach from Grevelingenmeer — tidal; check Rijkswaterstaat sluice schedule before approaching
- !Oosterschelde approach — tidal streams; commercial oyster and mussel vessel traffic
- !Historic harbour — very limited manoeuvring space; call harbour master before entering
- !Sint-Lievens tower (72m) is visible 15nm — excellent landmark on approach
Skipper's Tips
- →The Sint-Lievens-Monstertoren (tower, 1454–never completed) is the symbol of Zierikzee — climb to the top for views across Schouwen-Duiveland island; the missing spire tells the story of Zeeland's economic decline
- →The Noorder- and Zuidhavenpoort (harbour water gates, 16th century) are among the best-preserved medieval water gates in Europe — photograph from the water approaching the inner harbour
- →Tuesday and Saturday markets (Markt square) — local Zeeland produce, Oosterschelde oysters and mussels, and Zeeuws Meisje (Zeeland Girl) cookies
- →The Stadhuismuseum covers the madder trade (rode meekrap) that made Zierikzee wealthy — an unusual insight into medieval economic history
- →Zierikzee is a UNESCO candidate heritage site — one of the best-preserved Dutch medieval towns outside Amsterdam
Facilities
Excellent restaurants and cafés in the historic town centre (100–300m from harbour). Full supermarkets and provisioning. Fish market on the quay in season.
Nearest provisions: Zierikzee town centre (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Zierikzee is an excellent base for Zeeland Delta cruising — central location between Grevelingenmeer and Oosterschelde. The town itself warrants 1–2 nights. Market days (Tuesday and Saturday) are the best time to visit.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 50m
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