Baltic Sea

Harbours on the German Baltic coast

From the Flensburg Firth to Usedom the harbours lie closer together than anywhere else in Germany. How the coast divides up, where the berths are — and how to get one.

Three coasts in one

The German Baltic coast falls into three very different stretches. In the west the Förden — Flensburg, Schlei, Eckernförde, Kiel: deep, sheltered inlets you can sail in a blow, with harbours lining both shores. In the middle the open coast from Fehmarn to Warnemünde, with less shelter and longer hops. In the east the Bodden behind Rügen and the Darß — shallow, branching inland water that feels closer to a canal cruising ground than to the sea.

Why the Förden suit a first season

In the Förden the next harbour is rarely more than two hours away, and there is almost always one to leeward. Anyone sailing their first seasons finds short legs here, straightforward approaches and, if in doubt, a way out that costs nothing. That also explains the density: Lübeck, Flensburg, Kiel and Stralsund head the list below, and each of them offers more than ten harbours to choose from.

The Bodden are a world of their own

Behind Rügen and the Darß begins water that has little to do with the open Baltic: shallow, often under two metres, with channels you should not stray from and bridges whose opening times shape the day. In return you lie still at night, and the harbours are small and cheap. Anyone drawing more than 1.50 metres should study the chart first.

How to get a visitor berth here

In high season the popular harbour is full by Saturday afternoon — no different on the Baltic than anywhere else. Through Pier Standard you ask for a berth in advance: arrival, departure, length, beam and draught are all it takes, the harbour confirms availability, and the answer comes back. Where a harbour works with Pier Standard you see free berths and prices straight away and book online.

Baltic towns with more than one harbour

There are 465 harbours in this area. These 77 towns have more than one — each has its own page with map and request form.