Magdalenefjorden
Trinityhamna · Gravneset · Magdalena Bay
79°33.7'N 011°01.2'E
Depth
6–25m
Bottom
glaciomarine mud
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in 6–25m on glaciomarine mud — exceptional holding. Enclosed anchorage with NW as the only exposure direction along the fjord mouth. Shore lines essential for bear safety as well as wind. Cruise ship tender traffic may be present in peak season — keep clear of tender lanes.
About This Anchorage
Magdalenefjorden is consistently described by Arctic sailors as the most beautiful fjord in Svalbard and one of the finest anchorages in the world. The inner bay of Trinityhamna is enclosed by glacier walls on three sides — the Waggonwaybreen (Wagon Way Glacier) and Mansfieldbreen form an almost continuous ice face above the water. The rocky promontory of Gravneset at the fjord head has a remarkable 17th-century Dutch and English whaling cemetery — the graves of whalers who died here in the early period of Svalbard's exploitation, their carved wooden grave markers preserved in the permafrost. The gravel beach at Gravneset is a known polar bear hunting ground. Cruise ships visit frequently in August.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: NORTHWEST SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK: Strict rules apply. Gravneset cultural heritage site — do not disturb, touch or approach the 17th-century graves or whale blubber ovens. POLAR BEAR: firearms mandatory; bears are frequently present at Gravneset. Stay minimum 500m from the glacier faces. No discharge of waste. No camping at Gravneset. Contact Sysselmannen on VHF Ch. 16 before entering the national park area.
Hazards
- !POLAR BEARS AT GRAVNESET: the gravel beach at the fjord head is one of Svalbard's most productive bear hunting grounds — bears visit very regularly; armed shore party mandatory, electric fence for any extended shore visit
- !Glacier calving: Waggonwaybreen and Mansfieldbreen actively calve — maintain minimum 500m from all glacier faces; calving waves can reach anchor position
- !Cruise ship tender traffic: August sees regular cruise ship visits with tender operations; the tenders approach the gravel beach frequently — keep clear of tender routes
- !NW weather: the fjord mouth faces NW toward the Greenland Sea; an arriving polar low from NW can deteriorate conditions from flat calm to 40 knots within hours — maintain anchor watch
Skipper's Tips
- →Gravneset visit: approach the heritage beach in a group with armed guard and maximum vigilance — the 17th-century whaling graves preserved in permafrost are extraordinary cultural heritage; photograph carefully without touching
- →Dawn photography: in late July the sun dips toward the glacier faces at 01:00–03:00 and the pink-gold light on the ice and the fjord walls is the definitive Arctic photography moment; set an alarm
- →Glacier patrol: motor slowly along the glacier face at 500m distance watching for calving events — a house-sized block of ice entering the fjord creates a remarkable natural spectacle and 0.5m wave
- →Electric fence: if any crew will be on shore at Gravneset for more than 10 minutes an electric perimeter fence (available from Longyearbyen) is strongly recommended — bears approach from behind rocks silently
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Longyearbyen (100nm S) (100nm)
Best Months & Season
July, August
August is optimal. At 79°N the sun only marginally dips toward the horizon even in late August — the quality of light on the glacier faces is extraordinary around midnight. This is one of the finest anchorages in the world but it requires full Arctic preparation, experience, and firearms.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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