Smögen
Smögens gästhamn · Smögenbryggan
58°21.2'N 11°13.6'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for 3–6m on sand/mud. SW swell is almost constant in summer — the anchorage always has some motion. Ensure anchor is very well set before leaving the boat. The outer position and heavy traffic mean this is a more active anchorage than the inner Bohuslän sounds.
About This Anchorage
Smögen is the most photographed and most visited harbour village in Bohuslän — a dense cluster of red-painted boathouses and summer homes perched on bare pink granite, connected by the famous Smögenbryggan (boardwalk), one of Sweden's most iconic seaside promenades. The village has been a major fishing and seafood centre for centuries and today the quayside shellfish market is one of the best in Sweden: live lobster, king crab, prawns, oysters, and the freshest fish. Smögen is enormously popular — in July it receives tens of thousands of day visitors by ferry from Gothenburg. Despite the crowds, the harbour retains an authentic working character and the boardwalk is genuinely beautiful. The anchorage is exposed to SW swell but the location is worth it.
Protected From
N · NE · E · W
Exposed To
S · SE · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: High-speed ferry exclusion zone around Smögen ferry pier — anchor well clear. Gästhamn: 280–380 SEK/night in peak season, typically reservation-only.
Hazards
- !Constant SW swell — anchorage is never flat calm in summer
- !Extreme congestion in July — gästhamn full by 08:00 on weekends
- !High-speed ferry and workboat traffic throughout the day
- !Lobster and crab pots throughout all approaches
- !Kattegat outer position — weather can deteriorate rapidly
Skipper's Tips
- →Smögenbryggan boardwalk: best walked at 07:00 before the day-trippers arrive by ferry
- →The shellfish market at the quay is outstanding — live prawns, lobster, and oysters direct from the boats
- →Arrive from the south via the outer Bohuslän fairway — the northern approach has more rock hazards
- →Book gästhamn berth months in advance for July — or plan on anchoring off
- →The village's inner rocky channels are best explored by dinghy — many secluded swimming spots
Facilities
Excellent seafood restaurants along Smögenbryggan boardwalk; quayside shellfish market
Nearest provisions: Smögen village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
Season June–August. Smögen in July is a uniquely Swedish summer experience — extremely busy but authentic. Early June and late August offer the village at its best with fewer crowds.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
On the Bohuslän coast, tidal streams and crab pot lines can complicate anchoring. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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