Good news for Danish sailors: Samsø is getting another leisure harbour. The harbour at Kolby Kås will be equipped with two new breakwaters and 22 berths. This will create a long-awaited, sheltered harbour on the west coast of the popular island - just in time for the 2026 season.
Anyone who knows Samsø knows that the green island in the middle of the Kattegat is a sailing paradise - with marvellous anchor bays, a relaxed island feeling and the famous Danish hospitality. Until now, however, the windy west coast near Kolby Kås has lacked a truly sheltered harbour. This is now set to change fundamentally.
Ferry harbour becomes a sailing paradise
Kolby Kås is not exactly the first port of call for sailors on Samsø; they feel more at home in Ballen, Mårup or Langør. So far, the harbour is perhaps okay for an overnight stop, but apart from that it is less recommendable as a grey concrete desert. There is virtually nothing apart from the jetty and a few boxes, no supermarket and only one café with limited opening hours. This is now set to change: Kolby Kås wants to become more attractive.
After the last ferry service was discontinued in 2025, the harbour administration has big plans: the contract with a construction company was signed shortly before Christmas. It is due to install two massive breakwaters in spring 2026, which will effectively keep out the swell and the often strong westerly winds.
"Sailors can finally sleep peacefully here," says a delighted Anders D. Lassen, Chairman of the Harbour Stock Company. "The breakwaters will completely change the conditions. Ultimately, it's about what sailors really need: peace and quiet at night, comfort and safety."
Modern equipment for relaxed mooring
The southern harbour basin is being specially redesigned for leisure sailors: A 30 metre long breakwater made of piles and riprap will close off the basin, while a 20 metre long row of piles will provide extra protection. 22 new moorings with electricity and water connections are being built on the western pier. Guest moorers will be just as welcome as permanent moorers looking for a permanent, sheltered berth with good infrastructure.
The construction work is due to start in March and be completed by April - so the capacity on Samsø, which is often tight in summer, will be expanded a little this season. Incidentally, the northern basin can still be used for smaller cargo ships.
Why a trip to Kolby Kås can be worthwhile
Kolby Kås is located in the south-west of Samsø, away from the main routes - just right for anyone looking for authentic, quiet island life. The small village is the perfect starting point for cycling tours across the flat island. The nearest beach is also just a few minutes away.
The whole island is known for its sustainable projects - Samsø is Denmark's first CO2-neutral island - and for fantastic local produce: fresh potatoes, beer from the island brewery, organic meat. In the high season, the more popular harbours such as Ballen and Langør can get crowded. Kolby Kås can then be a good alternative.
New life in the old harbour
The harbour of Kolby Kås can look back on a long history: It was completed in 1884 and has been continuously expanded over the decades - with new piers, quay walls and buildings for goods and passenger transport.
From 1908 to 1998, the DSB (Danske Statsbaner, the Danish State Railways) ferries called here, after which Samsø Linien took over the route to Kalundborg until 2010. For the last 15 years, Kolby Kås has served as an alternative harbour for ferry connections to Zealand and Jutland. After more than 140 years of being dominated by commercial shipping, a new chapter is now set to begin with the sailing harbour.
