Brekstad (Ørland)
Brekstad havn · Ørland fjord · Brekstad guest harbour
63°41.4'N 009°39.9'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 3–7m on excellent mud. Actual depths far greater than CD — Norwegian tidal range 1-2m. Shore line recommended overnight. NATO Ørland: drone flying strictly prohibited; restricted airspace overhead. Do not approach marked military sea areas.
About This Anchorage
Brekstad is a sheltered village on the Fosen peninsula at the western entrance to the Trondheimfjord, adjacent to Ørland — home to Norway's main NATO fighter aircraft base where the Norwegian Air Force operates its F-35 fleet. The base is one of the largest military installations in Norway and the thunder of F-35s departing overhead is a daily feature of anchoring here. Despite the military presence, Brekstad itself is a pleasant small town with a good guest harbour and ferry connection to Trondheim (60min crossing). The outer Trondheimfjord here is wide and open — good sailing in westerly breezes. The Ørland peninsula has an important bird reserve (Ørland wetlands) and a World War II coastal artillery battery museum.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW
Setting Your Anchor in Trondheimfjord
Shore lines are mandatory in the Trondheimfjord system. 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. The Norwegian tidal range in Trondheimfjord is 1–2m (increasing toward the inner arms) — actual depths are far greater than Chart Datum; always verify with your echo sounder. Katabatic gusts from valley walls and glacier slopes can arrive without warning on clear nights — set your anchor alarm to 70m before sleeping. Under Allemannsretten, anchoring on natural shores is free for up to 48 hours. NATO restricted zones around Ørland: drone flying strictly prohibited throughout the region.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchor out)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. NATO Ørland restricted zones: drone flying absolutely prohibited; restricted airspace above; do not approach military pier areas. Guest harbour available. Ørland wetlands bird reserve: no landing on protected marsh areas (Apr–Jul nesting).
Hazards
- !NATO Ørland: drone flying strictly prohibited — restricted military airspace overhead; respect all posted military area boundaries
- !W and NW exposure to the outer Trondheimfjord: Atlantic-influenced weather systems arrive rapidly from the W
- !Ørland wetlands bird reserve: nesting restrictions April–July on the protected marsh areas
- !F-35 noise: NATO aircraft operations are intensive — early morning and evening training flights are loud overhead
Skipper's Tips
- →Austrått Fort WWII museum (8km by road) is a remarkable installation: a complete German coastal artillery battery with 28cm guns still in the turrets
- →The ferry from Brekstad to Trondheim (60min, Norled) is a great way to visit the city and return the same day without repositioning the boat
- →Ørland wetlands (Ørland Våtmarkssenter) is Norway's best coastal wetland for migrating wader birds — April–May and August–September migrations are spectacular
- →The outer fjord here has good sailing wind (W-SW sea breezes) and plenty of sea room — a pleasant change from the narrow inner arms
Facilities
Brekstad has a supermarket, restaurant, fuel pontoon and ferry to Trondheim. Good base for the outer fjord section. The WWII coastal artillery museum (Austrått Fort) is 8km by road.
Nearest provisions: Brekstad town supermarket (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. The bird reserve is most spectacular in April–May (spring migration) and August–September (autumn). Sailing season June–August for best conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In Trondheimfjord, tidal streams through the sounds and katabatic gusts from fjord walls can drag anchors without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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