The central question that many skippers on the Baltic Sea are asking themselves is: is the situation for berths on the coast finally becoming more relaxed now that the long waiting lists of the 1980s seem to have returned? The answer to this is mixed: "Almost all of our berths are taken, there are a few remaining berths beyond 20 metres, but that's it," explains Philipp Mühlenhardt from Sporthafen Kiel GmbH, which manages nine harbours in the fjord.
Hardly any free berths on the Baltic Sea
Hans Jaich, operator of the harbours in Eckernförde, Flensburg, Arnis, Kopperby and Langballig, explains: "All permanent berths are taken. We are still receiving enquiries." This statement reflects the situation of many operators in Schleswig-Holstein: demand remains high, with occasional remaining spaces being filled quickly. This is partly due to the partial closure of Damp, the end of the harbour in Lippe and the closure of a jetty in the Schwentine, according to Philipp Mühlenhardt.
The situation is different in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Harbours such as Kühlungsborn are well booked, but there are often vacancies in Hohe Düne, Lauterbach, Gustow and other locations. Although the eastern region has traditionally been less busy, demand is steadily increasing, as Till Jaich from the Jaich Group reports: "We are seeing a slow but steady rise in demand."
An amendment to the Water Resources Act is currently the subject of intense debate among harbour operators. This obliges them to warn their customers of impending flooding. The state is currently investing millions in the renovation of numerous harbours in order to prevent future damage. However, the question arises as to exactly how the warnings should be issued. It remains unclear whether direct alerts to the owners or a circular email will suffice. The operators are still looking for the best solution.
What are the benefits of the "Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan"?
Another major issue affects skippers rather than harbour operators: the Baltic Sea National Park is off the table, but not the announced "Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan". This is to include protected areas from Schleimünde to Gelting, in Hohwacht Bay and on the western side of Fehmarn.
In terms of completely new harbours or expansions, things are currently quiet on the coast. The focus is on service improvements: refurbished jetties, better power connections and new catering facilities in abandoned harbour restaurants. 2025 will be the year of refinements. As every year, we present the most important news on the coast at the start of the season.
Flensburg
After ten years of fruitless negotiations with the fjord town on the Baltic Sea, Flensburg Yachtservice has decided to abandon the project for a new harbour. At the same time, shipyard operations, winter storage and the fjord harbour will be discontinued or handed over to another operator by May 2025. At the time of going to press, the negotiations had not yet been finalised.
However, the yacht service remains the operator of the Sonwik marina. There will be a new petrol station there this season after the old one has to be replaced. The renovation of the second sanitary building is also planned.
In Harislee, the sailing club repaired the storm damage on its own last year. The only remaining problem is the stone pier: it was 1.70 metres high and was damaged by the storm surge as stones slipped. It could be repaired, but the members would like to raise it to 2.50 metres to be prepared for the future. The association is now trying to obtain a grant of around 450,000 euros from the state to cover the costs of 600,000 euros.
Glücksburg
The jetty at the former Zollhausbrücke bridge at Flensburg Sailing Club has been renovated. The club is now testing plastic lattice decking there, which is becoming increasingly popular on the coast as a durable alternative to wood. The tenant of the restaurant is also new and is now Seasa Bella and offers Italian and German cuisine.
Langballig
The popular little harbour in the middle of the Flensburg Fjord has been given a chic new café-restaurant: The Green Gold Café offers drinks and food by the Baltic Sea in a modern ambience, all vegetarian. The menu lists creative and original dishes at fair prices. If you want a table here in the evening, you should make a reservation (Tel.: 04636/6713948). Langballig has developed nicely in recent years with the equally cosy places at Odinfischer and is definitely worth a visit.
Gelting pier
Ilja Marady and Marc Albrecht's Yachtkontor Ostsee has opened its business in the marina. The duo broker used boats and are official Marex dealers. In addition, the harbour's restaurant was completely overhauled in 2024 and now has a new tenant who will run the Dock & Dine which offers upscale "North German crossover cuisine".
Wackerballig
The last section of the ageing, very long jetty leading out to the island harbour has now also been renovated and replaced with a concrete structure. The small boat hire has disappeared from the harbour, leaving nine berths for small boats up to five metres.
Schleimünde
As in 2024, the Giftbude will remain closed this year as the kitchen container was destroyed in the Baltic Sea flood. The operator, the Lighthouse Foundation, has rejected the refurbishment for cost reasons and due to the likelihood of further flooding. The Förderverein Wasserwanderplatz Schleimünde is therefore taking over the harbour kiosk this year and wants to offer at least a bread roll service, ice cream, cool drinks and small snacks.
Another new feature is the bed tax that the city of Kappeln introduced in 2025 for all harbours in the city area. It amounts to a 5 per cent surcharge on all daily berths in the municipality's catchment area. On top of this, Schleimünde is also introducing a new "infrastructure levy" for harbour operators to compensate for the immense renovation costs. It amounts to one euro per person. For a 10-metre ship with a couple on board, a total of 25.10 euros will be due, up to 12 metres it will be 31.40 euros. The steamer jetty for excursion boats has also been repaired. However, the path to the lighthouse is still closed.
Maasholm
Now that the harbour has been restored to its former glory in 2024 and all owners have been rehoused, there are currently discussions about protecting the eastern pier. In an open letter, the marina community association, to which many berth holders belong, thanked the municipality once again for the successful reconstruction, but also pointed out that the pier had subsided in some places.
Originally built at a height of two metres above the normal water level, it has sunk by an estimated 60 to 70 centimetres in some areas. According to the members' observations, it is now occasionally washed over by individual waves in strong easterly winds.
The municipality is aware of the issue, but is awaiting the results of a study by the state of Schleswig-Holstein on coastal protection in the Schlei. It is intended to provide recommendations on how the region can be better protected after the catastrophic flooding of the Baltic Sea in autumn 2023.
Arnis
After almost two years without a cable ferry across the Schlei, a new tenant is taking over the shuttle service between the two banks again this spring. The ageing ferry has been specially overhauled by the town of Arnis. This means that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can finally cross over again at this popular spot. Yachts have to be prepared for cross traffic again, even if the ferry has to give way.
Sieseby
On the south bank of the Schlei between Arnis and Lindaunis, the jetty in Sieseby has been redesigned and now offers eight berths in pile boxes in beautiful surroundings. The head end of the jetty is reserved for excursion boats.
Lindaunis
The Deutsche Bahn bridge construction site and temporary bridge will probably remain in the region for years to come: After the railway had to adapt the requirements due to changes in the bridge regulations of the Federal Railway Authority, a new invitation to tender in accordance with EU law has become necessary in 2024. This was supposed to happen by the end of 2024, but no company has been commissioned to date. So it remains as before: eight openings from 10.30 a.m. every half hour. Important: the passage is one-way traffic, which many owners often disregard despite the corresponding light signals on the bridge. This means that yachts travelling in the direction of Kappeln are allowed to pass first for ten minutes, followed by those travelling in the direction of Schleswig.
