Härnösand
Härnön island town · Härnösand gästhamn
62°37.9'N 17°56.2'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for mud/clay in 3–5m. Excellent holding — one of the most reliable anchorages in the northern Gulf. River current up to 0.5kts means scope should be generous and the boat will not swing freely. Catenary in chain can be significant with current — allow extra rode.
About This Anchorage
Härnösand is the small capital of Västernorrland County — a charming cathedral city on the island of Härnön in the southern Gulf of Bothnia, connected to the mainland by bridges. It is the main administrative and services centre for the High Coast (Höga Kusten) region, making it the essential provisioning base before heading north into the more remote High Coast anchorages. The city has a beautifully preserved wooden old town (Murberget open-air museum is one of Scandinavia's largest), a cathedral, and good marine facilities. The anchorage in the sheltered strait gives excellent all-round protection and is a comfortable staging point. Härnösand is also the closest city to the southern edge of the UNESCO High Coast World Heritage Site.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (Allemansrätten)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Fixed bridge north of the anchorage — check mast clearance carefully. River traffic from paper/pulp mills further upstream may use the channel. Gästhamn fee: 200–280 SEK/night.
Hazards
- !Fixed bridge with limited clearance north of anchorage — measure mast height carefully
- !River current up to 0.5kts in spring/early summer snowmelt — generous scope needed
- !Near-freshwater (low salinity) — antifouling effectiveness reduced in extended stay
- !Very remote from major marine services — stock up on all spares and chandlery
Skipper's Tips
- →Härnösand is the last full-service provisioning stop before the High Coast — stock everything here
- →Murberget open-air museum: one of Scandinavia's largest collections of historic wooden buildings
- →Fuel at the city marina — last reliable fuel stop for 80nm north
- →The city's wooden architecture (trästad) is beautiful — walking tour takes 90 minutes
- →Isostatic uplift: ask locals about the rate — this region was under 1km of ice 10,000 years ago
Facilities
Full range of restaurants in city centre
Nearest provisions: Härnösand city centre (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
Season June–September. The most reliable weather window is July–August. June can have late spring storms. September brings increasing westerlies and rapidly shortening days. Ice risk by November.
Recommended Anchor Types
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In the remote Gulf of Bothnia, wind-driven water level changes and isostatic shoals require constant vigilance. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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