Travel

Germany

- There are more free permanent berths in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern than in Schleswig-Holstein, but these are concentrated in a few large marinas.
- Many smaller harbours are fully booked despite calculated overcapacity; skippers should check availability in advance, as outliers distort the statistics.
- Moorings are cheaper in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: guest moorings cost an average of 23 instead of 25 euros, permanent moorings 38 instead of 44.50 euros per square metre.

Baltic Sea harbours 2026: More berths in the east - but not everywhere

- 69% of the ports surveyed in Schleswig-Holstein are full for permanent berths, waiting lists remain long, free spaces only in a few hotspots.  
- The shortage increases seasonal prices: on average €44.50/m² in Schleswig-Holstein, €38.10/m² in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.  
- The situation is more relaxed for guest riders: Due to fluctuation, boxes are usually free, prices around €25 or €23.38 per night for 12-metre yachts.

Baltic Sea harbours 2026: Search for berths in SH requires patience

- Sailors can expect closures, bridge and lock problems and offshore construction work on the Elbe and North Frisia in 2026.  
- Important points: unpaved Elbe-Weser mudflats, restricted areas Cuxhaven/Helgoland, Büsum restrictions, Glückstadt lock closure.  
- Improvements and comfort: free access to Husum, expanded Nordstrand harbour, online check-in Amrum/Föhr, new Wyk pier, stable Hörnum marina.

At the start of the season: Area update North Sea 3 - Elbe and North Friesland

- Demand and waiting lists for permanent berths in Kiel are increasing, but high construction costs, lack of space and abandoned boats prevent capacity expansion.
- Operation of berths is loss-making due to 30-35 % cost increase; moderate price increase of 12 % is supported by revenue from shore services
- After storm surge damage in 2023, Sporthafen Kiel invests in a water level measuring station and plans an environmentally friendly boat washing facility despite technical limitations.

Berths on the Baltic Sea: Ports under pressure despite full capacity utilisation - the situation in Kiel

- Sailors on the Jade and Weser must observe closures, new reporting requirements in Wilhelmshaven and strict distances to LNG tankers in 2026.
- Hooksiel lock closed until 22 May 2026, limited lock operation in Brake, three days of free mooring possible in Fedderwardersiel
- Bremerhaven is rebuilding the northern pier and getting the red tower back, Roter Sand lighthouse is expected to be relocated to the coast.

At the start of the season: North Sea 2 - Jade and Weser

- In East Frisia, construction work, closures (including offshore cables, Harlesiel until 2027) and tides characterise cruise planning in the Wadden Sea.
- Juist, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge are modernising harbours and infrastructure, in some cases with better water depths, sanitary facilities and fibre optics.
- Sailors should follow closures and changes via official notifications and channels such as Soltwaters, WATTSEGLER.DE and WATTENSCHIPPER.DE.

At the start of the season: Area update North Sea 1 - East Frisia

- After Corona, there are more free berths again, but prices for summer and winter storage have risen sharply.  
- Demographic change: the average age of boat owners is 62, many retire at around 75, too few newcomers.  
- The industry is facing upheaval: possible price declines, demand for younger customers, digitalisation of marinas and adaptation to wider yachts.

Moorings on the Baltic Sea: Mr Stahlhut, is the all-clear for the jetties?

- Despite an increase in available permanent berths from 419 to 486, many harbours, especially in Schleswig-Holstein, remain full with long waiting lists.
- Berth prices vary greatly from region to region: differences of €20-70/m² and up to €1,750 per year for 12 metre yachts; guests pay €14-40 per night.
- Infrastructure is mostly good (e.g. 74.7% mast crane, 87% catering), but only 41% have automatic pay stations; additional costs for sanitary facilities in some cases.

Baltic Sea harbours 2026: Sailors can still find free berths here

- Electric ferry Missunde III does not start as planned due to mooring problems with a loaded ferry; jetty and land wedges have to be retrofitted.
- Project costs have risen from the planned 2.5 million euros to over 6.5 million euros; responsibility for design faults is being legally investigated.
- The old diesel ferry Missunde II was bought back at a high price and, according to the interest group, is to operate again; the region suffers from cancellations and frustration.

Sliding ferry: Launch of Missunde III postponed again

- From 1 April 2026, uniform fees with day tickets and annual vignettes will apply on the Ems-Jade Canal, Haren-Rütenbrock Canal and Elbe-Weser.  
- Fees will only be charged for locks and movable bridges; travelling on the canals alone will remain free of charge; the previous lock passage charge will no longer apply.  
- Day tickets cost 10 euros (20 euros commercially), annual vignettes 25 euros or 60 euros in East Frisia; the cost effect depends on the individual usage profile.

Lower Saxony: New charging system for waterways from April

- Ein rund zehn Meter langer Buckelwal liegt seit Montagnacht vor Niendorf auf einer Sandbank fest; alle bisherigen Rettungsversuche scheiterten.
- Fütterung, Bergung oder Tötung gelten laut Experten als nicht praktikabel oder zu riskant; ein größerer Saugbagger soll nun eine Rinne ins Tiefwasser schaffen.
- Der Wal könnte krank oder geschwächt sein, die Ostsee ist kein geeigneter Lebensraum; Behörden sperren das Gebiet und warnen Schaulustige vor Annäherung.

Whale off Niendorf: New rescue attempts - Killing not an option

- Vor Niendorf ist ein vermutlich junger Buckelwal auf einer Sandbank gestrandet, Rettungsversuche über viele Stunden scheiterten bisher.
- Der Zustand des Wals verschlechtert sich, Experten vermuten Krankheit, Erschöpfung oder Desorientierung durch Unterwasserlärm; Gebiet ist weiträumig gesperrt.
- Buckelwale sind in der Ostsee fehl am Platz: zu wenig Salz und Nahrung, Risiken durch Netze, Schiffsverkehr und Lärm, Sichtungen nehmen dennoch zu.

Timmendorf: Fears for the humpback whale

Germany's most beautiful sailing areas by yacht: Important tips for travelling and chartering sailing boats in Germany ►

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

protegear.io

predictwind.com

vimeo.com

doo.net

team-malizia.geovoile.com

www.ndr.de

YB Tracking mit Google Maps

https://awin.comagno.com

Windfinder Widget

X.com

racemap.com

touren.bike-magazin.de

Spotify

New York Vendée

www.outdooractive.com

www.br.de 

Tickaroo

Google

Instagram

thetransat.geovoile.com 

www.br.de

www.facebook.com

www.youtube.com

player.podigee-cdn.net

trackleaders.com

www.ardmediathek.de

www.tagesschau.de

www.podcaster.de

tracker.theoceanrace.com

kuula.co

arkeaultimchallengebrest.geovoile.com

retouralabase.geovoile.com

minitransat.geovoile.com

transat-jacques-vabre.geovoile.com

theoceanrace.geovoile.com


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>. <link>Learn more</link>.
    


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>.
    

Most read articles

Most read in category {categoryTitle}

This summary was generated automatically.

Summary

Looking to buy or sell a boat? At Boat24, you're in the right place: private sellers and over 700 boat dealers provide a comprehensive range of used boats in all categories, manufacturers, and price ranges - for over 20 years. Good news for sellers: We operate without sales commissions.

I agree to display external content. This may involve the transmission of personal data to third-party platforms. Learn more in our

At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.

 | YACHT 

Search

Just discovered at {portalName}: {articleTitle} {shareUrl}

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
More berths in the east - but not everywhere

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
Search for berths in SH requires patience

At the start of the season
Area update North Sea 3 - Elbe and North Friesland

Berths on the Baltic Sea
Ports under pressure despite full capacity utilisation - the situation in Kiel

At the start of the season
North Sea 2 - Jade and Weser

At the start of the season
Area update North Sea 1 - East Frisia

Moorings on the Baltic Sea
Mr Stahlhut, is the all-clear for the jetties?

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
Sailors can still find free berths here

Sliding ferry
Launch of Missunde III postponed again

Lower Saxony
New charging system for waterways from April

Whale off Niendorf
New rescue attempts - Killing not an option

Timmendorf
Fears for the humpback whale

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Baltic Sea harbours 2026More berths in the east - but not everywhere

Baltic Sea harbours 2026Search for berths in SH requires patience

At the start of the seasonArea update North Sea 3 - Elbe and North Friesland

Berths on the Baltic SeaPorts under pressure despite full capacity utilisation - the situation in Kiel

At the start of the seasonNorth Sea 2 - Jade and Weser

At the start of the seasonArea update North Sea 1 - East Frisia

Moorings on the Baltic SeaMr Stahlhut, is the all-clear for the jetties?

Baltic Sea harbours 2026Sailors can still find free berths here

Sliding ferryLaunch of Missunde III postponed again

Lower SaxonyNew charging system for waterways from April

Whale off NiendorfNew rescue attempts - Killing not an option

TimmendorfFears for the humpback whale

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
More berths in the east - but not everywhere

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
Search for berths in SH requires patience

At the start of the season
Area update North Sea 3 - Elbe and North Friesland

Berths on the Baltic Sea
Ports under pressure despite full capacity utilisation - the situation in Kiel

At the start of the season
North Sea 2 - Jade and Weser

At the start of the season
Area update North Sea 1 - East Frisia

Moorings on the Baltic Sea
Mr Stahlhut, is the all-clear for the jetties?

Baltic Sea harbours 2026
Sailors can still find free berths here

Sliding ferry
Launch of Missunde III postponed again

Lower Saxony
New charging system for waterways from April

Whale off Niendorf
New rescue attempts - Killing not an option

Timmendorf
Fears for the humpback whale