Kristianopel
Kristianopels gästhamn · Kalmarsund anchorage
56°15.0'N 16°01.3'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m on sand/mud in 2–4m. Kalmarsund funnelling is the main watchpoint — SW winds are amplified. The strait is shallow throughout (4–15m) which limits sea height but the compressed fetch still creates short, steep chop in SW conditions above F4.
About This Anchorage
Kristianopel is one of the most historically remarkable small towns in Sweden — a 17th-century fortified town founded by the Danish King Christian IV in 1600 (before this area was ceded to Sweden). The town's original street plan, earth ramparts, and the remnants of the town walls are intact, making it one of the best-preserved planned fortification towns in Scandinavia. The gästhamn is tiny — typically 20–30 boats maximum — giving the place a quiet, intimate character. The small town has a church, a cafe, and basic provisions. For sailors cruising the Blekinge-Öland corridor in the Kalmarsund, Kristianopel is a compelling historical stopover that combines good (if exposed) anchorage with a unique heritage site.
Protected From
E · SE · S · N
Exposed To
W · SW · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Kalmarsund commercial shipping — monitor VHF Ch 16. Historic protected town — no modification of existing structures. Gästhamn: 150–200 SEK/night.
Hazards
- !Kalmarsund SW wind funnelling — winds 3–4kts stronger than SMHI forecast
- !Shallow bar approach to gästhamn — minimum 2m draught at all states
- !Commercial shipping in Kalmarsund — maintain watch on VHF Ch 16
- !N-S wind fetch along strait axis can create uncomfortable chop
Skipper's Tips
- →Walk the 17th-century ramparts — one of the best-preserved examples of a Danish fortification town in Scandinavia
- →The church has remarkable 17th-century baroque furnishings — open daily in summer
- →Small and quiet — arrive by 15:00 to secure a gästhamn berth before the handful of spaces fill
- →Good intermediate stop on the Kalmarsund passage between Karlskrona and Öland
- →May and September are excellent — the historical site is peaceful with minimal crowds
Facilities
Small cafe and summer restaurant in the historic town
Nearest provisions: Kristianopel village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
Season May–September — slightly longer than most south-Swedish anchorages due to the sheltered strait position. The historical character makes this worthwhile in shoulder season. Gästhamn may be closed before June and after August.
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