Mellbystrand
Mellby strand · Laholm Bay south
56°30.2'N 12°57.4'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m in 2–3m on sand — adequate for a daytime fair-weather stop. Never leave a boat overnight here without confirmed settled high-pressure for the next 48 hours. The long unobstructed western fetch across the Kattegat means swell arrives with no warning. This is a day-anchor spot for swimming and beach exploration, not an overnight anchorage.
About This Anchorage
Mellbystrand is one of Scandinavia's longest sandy beaches — stretching 10km south of Halmstad along the Halland coast, this popular Swedish summer resort has calm, shallow water perfect for families. From a sailor's perspective, it is a beautiful daytime stop in settled summer weather, with clear sandy-bottom water for swimming and a beach community ashore. The beach runs south continuously to the Laholmsån river mouth and the approach to Båstad further south. This is coastal cruising at its simplest — anchor in the sand, swim, walk the beach, and move on. Not a place to linger when any westerly swell is running.
Protected From
E · NE
Exposed To
W · NW · SW · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Popular swimming beach — keep clear of swimming areas and maintain proper lookout. Day-stop only — not suitable for overnight in any forecast with westerly component.
Hazards
- !Completely exposed to W-SW — leave immediately if any swell builds
- !Very busy beach in July–August — swimmers and paddle craft around the boat
- !Shoal water close to shore — approach from W, not from along the beach
Skipper's Tips
- →Perfect lunch-stop anchorage in a settled high-pressure system — crystal clear water
- →Beach cafes at the resort village are excellent for a summer fika (coffee break)
- →Monitor VHF weather forecasts — westerly swell arrives quickly with no natural shelter
- →Combined with a passage from Halmstad to Båstad — ideal midpoint swim stop
Facilities
Beach cafes and restaurants at Mellbystrand resort village (summer season only)
Nearest provisions: Mellbystrand village (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
July–August only for practical day-stops. Outside peak summer, the beach is deserted and facilities are closed. Wind and swell build rapidly in September — do not extend the season for this exposed coast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
On Sweden's Skagerrak coast, North Sea swells can build quickly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS