Marstrand

About This Anchorage

Marstrand is one of Sweden's most famous sailing destinations, a car-free island dominated by the 17th-century Carlsten Fortress (Carlstens fästning) which towers above the town and is visible from 10nm offshore. The town has been a seaside resort since King Oscar II established his summer court here in the 1870s, and the Royal Swedish Yacht Club has hosted international sailing regattas here for over a century. The Match Racing World Championship (Gothia Cup) is held here each summer. Today the island offers excellent restaurants, a hotel in the historic bath house, a bakery, provisions, and the full experience of Sweden's west coast island culture. The anchorage outside the gästhamn is adequate but the island's popularity means it is very crowded in July.

Hazards

• !Extremely crowded in July — gästhamn typically full by noon, anchorage congested
• !Frequent car-ferry crossings through the north sound — keep clear of fairway
• !Match racing regattas (July/August) close the harbour to non-race traffic on race days
• !Strong N and NE wind exposure in north anchorage
• !Lobster pots on all approaches

Skipper's Tips

• →Arrive before 10:00 in July or you will not find an anchorage position with swinging room
• →The Carlsten Fortress tour (daily in summer) is outstanding — 2-hour guided history of the 17th-century Swedish fortification
• →Marstrand has the best provisioning on the southern Bohuslän coast — supermarket, marine chandlery
• →The Match Racing World Championship (usually July) — spectacular racing to watch from the anchorage
• →Societetshuset restaurant (the old bath house) — book well in advance for dinner in July
• →Visit in late August/September for a calmer experience — facilities still open but crowds greatly reduced

Nearby Anchorages