Hanö
Hanö island · Hanö Bukt approach
56°01.0'N 14°50.6'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for sand/mud in 2–4m. Hanö Bay (Hanöbukten) to the E and NE has 60–80nm of fetch from the Baltic — easterly conditions quickly make the anchorage untenable. Monitor forecasts carefully. Sand holding is good in westerly conditions.
About This Anchorage
Hanö is a small uninhabited island (nature reserve) standing isolated in the western part of Hanöbukten — the large bay between Blekinge and Skåne. The island was historically significant during the Napoleonic Wars as a British Royal Navy victualing station (1810–1812) — a remarkable episode when 10,000 British sailors anchored in the bay while supporting Sweden against the continental blockade. A small monument and British cemetery on the island commemorate this history. The anchorage on the sheltered western side gives good holding in prevailing summer conditions, and the island's wooded interior and rocky shores are beautiful for exploration. Excellent birdwatching — the island is a migration staging point.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten / Nature Reserve)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Nature reserve: no fires, stay on marked paths, no disturbance of wildlife. Bird sanctuary season Apr 1–Jul 31 — avoid disturbing nesting areas. No overnight camping on the island itself.
Hazards
- !Large eastern fetch from Hanöbukten — any E or NE wind makes anchorage untenable
- !Isolated position in bay — no nearby shelter if conditions deteriorate
- !No facilities — must be fully self-sufficient
- !Shipping lanes cross Hanöbukten — keep AIS on and monitor radar at night
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit the British military cemetery — extraordinary piece of Napoleonic-era naval history in Sweden
- →Island walking trail passes the cemetery, lighthouse, and old fishermen's cottages (2km loop)
- →Excellent birdwatching in April/May and August/September during migration season
- →Only suitable as a day stop or overnight in settled W/SW conditions — have exit plan for E wind
- →The British connection is well documented at the Sölvesborg museum on the mainland
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Sölvesborg marina (14nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
Day stop or settled overnight June–August. Best visited in SW conditions. Nature reserve bird season Apr–Jul means approach quietly and observe from the anchorage or boat.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In Blekinge's shallow anchorages, Baltic storm surges can change water levels by 0.5m overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS