Rørvik
Rørvik havn · Vikna islands · Rørvik coastal hub
64°51.6'N 011°14.3'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 3–7m on good mud and sand. Actual depths far greater than CD — Norwegian tidal range 1-2m. Shore line recommended. Well-sheltered harbour — one of the most useful provisioning stops on the northward coastal passage between Trondheim and Bodø.
About This Anchorage
Rørvik is the regional centre of Vikna municipality on the outer coast of Trøndelag/Nordland border — a coastal hub serving the extensive Vikna outer island archipelago. The town has an excellent guest harbour and hosts the Norwegian Coastal Museum (Kystmuseet), which documents the history of coastal Norway from Viking trading routes to modern aquaculture. This is a critically important provisioning stop on the northward passage from Trondheim to Bodø — the 280nm coastal passage has few alternatives. The Hurtigruten coastal express calls here, making crew changes possible without significant delay to the passage.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW
Exposed To
W · NW
Setting Your Anchor in Nordland
Shore lines are mandatory in Nordland fjord arms. Norwegian practice: drop a bow anchor on the shallow nearshore shelf in 3–8m, then run a stern or bow shore line to the nearest fortøyningsbolter (iron ring) set into the cliff face. Use at least 7:1 scope on the anchor rode. Tidal range in Nordland is 1.5–2.5m (increasing northward) — actual depths are far greater than Chart Datum; always verify with your echo sounder. Survival suits (immersion suits) are mandatory for all crew on deck in Nordland: water temperature is 4–12°C year-round and hypothermia can incapacitate in minutes. Midnight sun (May–July) means 24h daylight — maintain a strict watch schedule and set your anchor alarm to 70m before resting. Saltstraumen (4nm SE of Bodø): ONLY transit at slack water — never at any other state of tide.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchor out)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Guest harbour available. Survival suit strongly recommended on the outer coast section N of here. Monitor VHF Ch. 16 for weather and traffic.
Hazards
- !Outer coast passage north of Rørvik: the coastal route to Bodø (130nm) is exposed — requires a full weather window
- !W and NW exposure from the outer coast: westerly storms can be severe at this latitude
- !Survival suit mandatory on deck for the outer coastal passage north
- !Aquaculture farm approach lines in the Vikna archipelago — navigate with care in the inner channels
Skipper's Tips
- →Norwegian Coastal Museum (Kystmuseet): excellent half-day visit documenting 1,000 years of Norwegian coastal culture — the Viking trade route reconstruction is particularly good
- →Hurtigruten connection: crew changes can be made at Rørvik without significant delay — the coastal express calls here northbound and southbound
- →Stock up fully here: Bodø is 130nm north and the outer coast passage should be done non-stop in one weather window
- →The Vikna outer islands (10–20nm W) offer excellent outer-coast anchorages in settled weather — a worthwhile diversion if timing allows
Facilities
Full range of facilities: supermarket, fuel pontoon, restaurants, pharmacy, chandlery basics. The Norwegian Coastal Museum café is excellent. Stock up here for the passage north — next major port is Bodø (130nm).
Nearest provisions: Rørvik town supermarket (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. The outer coastal passage north of Rørvik is only attempted in genuine weather windows — monitor the forecast for 48h before departing north.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In Arctic Nordland, midnight sun means you can sail 24h — but fatigue and anchor drag are constant risks. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position even while you sleep.
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