Germany

- Many marinas on the German Baltic Sea coast close in winter due to the risk of weather damage and low utilisation.
- Maasholm Harbour, at the mouth of the Schleimündung, with 450 berths, will remain closed to pleasure craft until 15 April 2027.
- Marina Wendtorf will be closed from 15 November until 15 March 2027; the fishing harbour and Ring shipyard will generally remain accessible.

Baltic Sea: First marinas close for the winter season

- On 7 October 2026, the water level at Berlingen on the Untersee fell approximately 15 centimetres below the historic low recorded in 1949.  
- Pleasure craft and shallow harbours are severely affected; before setting out, the water level and actual water depth in the harbour must be checked.  
- Scheduled ferry services on the Untersee are operating on a limited basis; according to the official situation report, the situation is not expected to improve for the time being.

Lake Constance: Water levels at a historic low

- Altwarp is expanding its harbour to include 40 berths for pleasure craft, at a cost of around 500,000 euros; the decision was taken on 29 September 2026.
- Further measures are planned, including the demolition of old warehouses dating from the days of the butter trade; a start date for construction has not yet been set.
- Altwarp is a border port and a stopover for yachts travelling between the Szczecin Lagoon, the River Oder, Szczecin, Berlin and the Baltic Sea; there is a seasonal ferry service to Nowe Warpno.

Stettin Lagoon: Altwarp – 40 new berths for Germany’s easternmost port

- Between 1961 and 1989, Berlin’s waterways were strictly sealed off, and boat traffic between East and West was almost completely prevented.  
- The GDR and West Berlin set up complex barrier systems, corridors and checkpoints; attempts to escape by water were life-threatening.  
- Only a few exceptions, such as the ‘Berliner Bär’ and the ‘Petra’, passed through Berlin-Mitte; after 1990, a coherent and attractive boating area emerged.

Feature: On barriers and escape attempts – how the Berlin Wall restricted boating

- Three coastal states are planning, as part of the MaRa project, a marine ranger system for all marine protected areas in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.  
- Initially, only a 24-month conceptual phase without official powers is planned; existing navigation rules and regulations will remain unchanged.  
- Water sports and fisheries associations feel they have not been consulted and are calling for transparency, whilst possible models for cooperation are still under discussion.

Marine conservation: Should rangers patrol the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in future?

- Boaters are criticising the planned long-term lease of the publicly funded island harbour – which opened in 2024 – to leaseholder Daniel Schmidt.
- Schmidt emphasises that the harbour will remain public, with the city continuing to set fees and access rules; he argues that investments require a long-term contract.
- A long-term contract of up to 60 years is intended to govern the overall development of Kaninchenwerder; a decision by the city council is scheduled for December.

Schwerin: What’s next for the Kaninchenwerder island harbour?

- The Darßer Ort lighthouse is out of service and, for the time being, serves only as a daytime navigational aid.  
- According to the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority, the reasons for the light’s failure are not yet known.  
- At night, ships navigate by the lighted buoys at Darßer Ort and by the lighted approach to Prerow Harbour.

Mecklenburg Bay: Darßer Ort lighthouse currently unlit

- On 13 August 2026, over 6,500 monuments across Germany will open their doors to the public, including numerous maritime attractions in the north.
- In Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, museum ships, shipyards, light vessels and historic buildings are open to visitors.
- In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the spotlight will be on Rostock’s fishing harbour, the traditional ship ‘Dresden’ and the Baltic Sea Border Tower Museum in Kühlungsborn.

Heritage Open Days: Maritime heritage sites in the north invite you to visit

- In 1926, the motor cruiser “Ingeborg 3” set sail from its winter storage facility in Bremen, travelling via the Weser, the Wadden Sea, the Elbe and the Havel to its home port of Berlin.  
- From Berlin, the route takes the vessel via the River Oder and the Szczecin Lagoon into the Baltic Sea, continuing on to Lübeck Bay, with detours round Rügen and through the Bodden waters.  
- The atmosphere on board is good; any incidents are dealt with ‘with a sense of humour’, and the journey is, on the whole, a merry affair.

100 years ago: An adventurous summer – sailing on the “Ingeborg 3”.

- Rejane Dal Bello’s ‘Kieler Woche’ design for 2027 features the sun, sails and bright orange, whilst making no use of blue whatsoever.
- The minimalist design is intended to convey warmth, energy and a sense of community, as well as regatta racing and the summer festival.
- The international competition, featuring 15 entries, was decided on 4 September 2026; all entries are on display at Kiel Town Hall and can be viewed online.

Kieler Woche 2027: Sun and Sails – London-based artist designs new poster

Germany as a boating destination ➤ The best and most beautiful boating destinations in Germany ✅ The most beautiful motorboat destinations in Germany ✅

Checking boating areas in Germany | BOOTE

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Checking boating areas in Germany | BOOTE

Baltic Sea
First marinas close for the winter season

Lake Constance
Water levels at a historic low

Baltic Sea
First marinas close for the winter season

Lake Constance
Water levels at a historic low

Stettin Lagoon
Altwarp – 40 new berths for Germany’s easternmost port

Feature
On barriers and escape attempts – how the Berlin Wall restricted boating

Marine conservation
Should rangers patrol the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in future?

Schwerin
What’s next for the Kaninchenwerder island harbour?

Mecklenburg Bay
Darßer Ort lighthouse currently unlit

Heritage Open Days
Maritime heritage sites in the north invite you to visit

100 years ago
An adventurous summer – sailing on the “Ingeborg 3”.

Kieler Woche 2027
Sun and Sails – London-based artist designs new poster

Checking boating areas in Germany | BOOTE

Baltic SeaFirst marinas close for the winter season

Lake ConstanceWater levels at a historic low

Baltic SeaFirst marinas close for the winter season

Lake ConstanceWater levels at a historic low

Stettin LagoonAltwarp – 40 new berths for Germany’s easternmost port

FeatureOn barriers and escape attempts – how the Berlin Wall restricted boating

Marine conservationShould rangers patrol the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in future?

SchwerinWhat’s next for the Kaninchenwerder island harbour?

Mecklenburg BayDarßer Ort lighthouse currently unlit

Heritage Open DaysMaritime heritage sites in the north invite you to visit

100 years agoAn adventurous summer – sailing on the “Ingeborg 3”.

Kieler Woche 2027Sun and Sails – London-based artist designs new poster

Baltic Sea
First marinas close for the winter season

Lake Constance
Water levels at a historic low

Baltic Sea
First marinas close for the winter season

Lake Constance
Water levels at a historic low

Stettin Lagoon
Altwarp – 40 new berths for Germany’s easternmost port

Feature
On barriers and escape attempts – how the Berlin Wall restricted boating

Marine conservation
Should rangers patrol the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in future?

Schwerin
What’s next for the Kaninchenwerder island harbour?

Mecklenburg Bay
Darßer Ort lighthouse currently unlit

Heritage Open Days
Maritime heritage sites in the north invite you to visit

100 years ago
An adventurous summer – sailing on the “Ingeborg 3”.

Kieler Woche 2027
Sun and Sails – London-based artist designs new poster