Raftsundet (Trollfjorden approach)
Trollfjorden anchorage · Raftsund inner lead · Digermulen area
68°24.7'N 015°07.1'E
Depth
8–35m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 8–30m. Completely enclosed. Shore lines are not optional — they are the primary position-keeping system in this 100m-wide fjord. Use bow anchor + two stern lines to the cliff face. The 70m radius is the maximum possible in the widest section of the fjord head.
About This Anchorage
Trollfjorden is the most spectacular fjord arm in Lofoten — a 2km canyon barely 100m wide at the entrance, enclosed by 1,000m walls that seem to lean inward above the water. The Hurtigruten coastal express ferry enters Trollfjorden daily in summer as an excursion (the 5,000-tonne ship must reverse out — it cannot turn) and the sight of the ship inside this tiny fjord is surreal. The anchorage at the fjord head is one of the most enclosed and dramatic in Norway — 1,000m walls on all sides, a waterfall at the head, and absolute silence except for the waterfalls. The approach through Raftsundet (the narrow inner lead between Lofoten and Vesterålen, with tidal currents up to 4 knots) requires careful timing and detailed chart navigation.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Hurtigruten ferry uses Trollfjorden as a tourist excursion — give way to the large ship on approach and departure. Shore lines to cliff ring bolts are the established practice. No discharge of waste. Raftsundet tidal currents require careful timing — slack water at the narrows is typically 15 minutes; consult Norwegian tidal tables.
Hazards
- !Extreme katabatic winds: Trollfjorden walls focus cold air drainage into a powerful katabatic jet — 40–50 knots documented; shore lines with doubled lines are a survival requirement
- !Hurtigruten ferry approach: the large Hurtigruten coastal express enters Trollfjorden daily — be aware of the ferry schedule and clear the approach completely when the ship enters
- !Raftsundet tidal streams: the passage through Raftsundet has currents up to 4 knots at springs — time the transit for slack water using Norwegian tidal tables
- !Extreme depth: mid-fjord drops to 200m+ within metres of the cliff base — anchor only at the fjord head where silt deposits have built up
Skipper's Tips
- →Shore line rigging: at the Trollfjorden head there are ring bolts installed in the cliff face on both sides — bow anchor + stern lines to these ring bolts creates a completely stable overnight mooring
- →Timing the Raftsundet transit: the tidal tables for Stokmarknes give the slack water times for Raftsundet — allow 45 minutes either side of slack for a manageable transit
- →Hurtigruten show: the ferry typically enters Trollfjorden around 10:00–11:00 (check the Hurtigruten schedule which is public) — watching a 5,000-tonne ship navigate a 100m-wide fjord is extraordinary
- →Eagle sighting: white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla, Europe's largest eagle) are resident in the Raftsundet/Trollfjorden area — watch the cliff tops from the cockpit
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Svolvær (25nm S) or Stokmarknes (15nm N) (15nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. The Raftsundet approach is a significant tidal passage — do not attempt it without consulting Norwegian tidal tables. The reward — Trollfjorden at anchor — is among the finest overnight anchorage experiences in all of European waters.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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