Tafjord (Norddalsfjord)
Tafjord inner arm · Norddalsfjord anchorage · Tafjordelva delta
62°12.2'N 007°28.9'E
Depth
5–25m
Bottom
silt
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 5–22m on deep glacial silt. Outstanding holding. Completely enclosed by steep terrain on all sides. Shore lines essential due to narrow fjord and katabatic risk — not due to wave fetch. The silt deposits from the Tafjordelva create some of the finest anchor holding in the entire Sunnmøre region.
About This Anchorage
Tafjord at the head of Norddalsfjord is one of the most remote and dramatically enclosed anchorages in the Geirangerfjord region — a small village at the end of a fjord arm so narrow and steep that it resembles a canyon more than a fjord. The village is famous (or infamous) for the Tafjord disaster of 1934 when a massive rockslide from Langhamaren mountain generated a tsunami that killed 41 people — one of the worst natural disasters in Norwegian history. Today the village is quiet and the mountains are geologically stable, but the memory of the event is present in the local culture. The anchorage at the fjord head is extraordinary in its enclosure and the silt holding is outstanding.
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. Maintain 150m from the village buildings and farms. Shore lines mandatory — the fjord head has very limited swinging room. No discharge of waste. Be aware of the geological monitoring situation — although the area is considered stable, Norwegian geological authorities maintain awareness of the fjord's history.
Hazards
- !Katabatic winds from the high peaks above: the enclosed fjord funnels cold air drainage at night — 20–35 knots documented; shore lines are a safety requirement
- !Geological history: the Tafjord area experienced a major rockslide in 1934; while the area is considered stable today, be aware of any Norwegian geological alert system notifications
- !Extremely limited depth range for anchoring: silt builds up only at the very head; the fjord drops to 300m+ within 100m of the anchoring zone — shore lines provide primary position-keeping
- !Isolation: no facilities for 18+ nm; completely self-sufficient anchoring required
Skipper's Tips
- →This is a genuinely secret anchorage — very few foreign sailing yachts venture into Tafjord; the sense of isolation and enclosure is unmatched in this region
- →Tafjord disaster memorial: the village has a small memorial to the 1934 rockslide victims — a sobering reminder of the power of Norway's geology
- →Norddalsfjord driving road: if a crew member is travelling by road, the Norddalsfjord road through the gorge is one of Norway's most dramatic valley roads — car access to Tafjord is via the Ørsta direction
- →Dawn in the fjord: with 1,000m walls on all sides, the sun only reaches the anchorage for a few hours daily — the quality of the angled light is extraordinary and unique
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Ørsta town (18nm) (18nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. A remote, self-sufficient destination. The drive up to the Trollstigen road (accessible from the Norddalsfjord valley) connects Tafjord to the famous National Scenic Route — a remarkable combination of sailing and road travel in this region.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Geirangerfjord, cruise ship wash and katabatic gusts can displace anchors rapidly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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