Sunnylvsfjord (Geiranger Approach)
Sunnylvsfjorden · Åkerneset area · Stordal fjord arm
62°08.7'N 007°00.8'E
Depth
8–30m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m in 8–25m on mud. Excellent holding. Shore lines mandatory in the narrow coves. IMPORTANT: Åkerneset mountain on the east side of Sunnylvsfjord is monitored by Norwegian geological authorities for potential major rockslide that could generate a significant tsunami. The monitoring system triggers an alarm if movement accelerates. Familiarise yourself with the tsunami warning procedure before anchoring here.
About This Anchorage
Sunnylvsfjord is the 15km approach arm leading from the outer fjord network to the junction with the famous Geirangerfjord at Hellesylt. It offers the same breathtaking fjord landscape as Geirangerfjord — 1,200–1,700m walls, hanging waterfalls, abandoned farms perched impossibly on cliff ledges — without the cruise ship crowds. The arm is monitored by Norwegian geological authorities because of Åkerneset, an unstable mountain on the eastern shore that has been moving slowly since the 1990s. A major rockslide is considered likely in the geological medium-term and would generate a significant local tsunami. Real-time monitoring is in place and an alarm system exists. This is a known and managed risk — understand the warning system before anchoring here.
Protected From
W · NW · N · NE
Exposed To
S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Åkerneset monitoring area: familiarise with tsunami alarm procedures (available from Norwegian Geological Survey, ngu.no, and posted at Hellesylt). Do not anchor directly below the Åkerneset face. Abandoned farm areas are protected cultural heritage — do not damage buildings.
Hazards
- !ÅKERNESET ROCKSLIDE RISK: The unstable Åkerneset mountain on the E shore is monitored by Norwegian geological authorities — a major rockslide could generate a local tsunami of 30–80m; know the alarm system and have an escape plan before anchoring
- !Katabatic night winds: the steep fjord walls generate reliable overnight katabatic drainage winds; 20–30 knots is possible in warm summer weather
- !Extremely limited anchoring positions: the fjord walls plunge almost directly to 200m depth — the only viable anchoring is in the very small coves where streams deliver sediment
- !Remote location: no rescue services within less than 1 hour; carry full emergency kit and maintain VHF watch on Ch. 16
Skipper's Tips
- →Åkerneset alert system: download the varsom.no (NVE) app which includes Åkerneset alarm status — know what a Level 3 alert means and have a rapid departure plan
- →Nydalen abandoned farm: visible on the cliff face above the fjord — accessible by a steep marked trail from the fjord shore; an extraordinary walk to the farm terrace 300m above the water
- →The Sunnylvsfjord coves before dawn: arrive in the evening and stay overnight for the dawn experience of this spectacular fjord without a single tourist boat — this is Norway at its best
- →Waterfall swimming: multiple small waterfalls descend to sea level in this arm — swimming under a Norwegian fjord waterfall in summer is a remarkable experience
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Hellesylt village (8nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. This is the fjord experience that Geiranger cannot provide due to crowds — save this anchorage for a midweek night when you want absolute solitude in the fjord.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
In Geirangerfjord, cruise ship wash and katabatic gusts can displace anchors rapidly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS