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

The North Sea is the vastness of the open sea, the tides on the coasts. When the Priel glistens in the sun, seals loll on the sandbank and excited oystercatchers flutter above the water. The boat glides leisurely through until the water recedes and everything stands still for a few hours. Between Borkum, Helgoland and Sylt, harbours and clubs ensure that pleasure boaters arrive safely and can moor comfortably at floating jetties.

At the same time, fairways are being closed for cable laying for the offshore industry, and locks and bridges are being closed for urgent renovation work. Anyone sailing along the coasts of the North Sea and in the Wadden Sea this season therefore needs up-to-date information and perhaps a plan B. Our North Sea update. Today: Elbe and North Friesland.

Find out everything you need to know about the 2026 season in our three-part North Sea update:

Part 1: East Frisia - From the Ems to the Jade with all East Frisian islands (from 3 April 2026)
Part 2: Jade and Weser - From Wilhelmshaven to Bremerhaven (from 4 April 2026)
Part 3: Elbe and North Friesland - From Hamburg to Sylt (from 5 April 2026)

Elbe and North Frisia: silt and starry skies

The Tidal Elbe takes us through centuries-old harbour towns such as Hamburg, Stade and Glückstadt to the wide estuary into the mudflats. North Friesland welcomes us with a different world: wide horizons, Halligen islands and Frisian serenity. But beware: unmarked restricted areas in Cuxhaven, bascule bridge problems in Stade, and Helgoland is getting crowded due to the offshore industry. In the third and final part of our North Sea update: Elbe and North Friesland.

Elbe-Weser mudflats: Hardly any pricking left

Anyone entering the Elbe from the Weser via the mudflats must rely on experience and satellite images; the Elbe-Weser mudflats fairway is no longer used for the most part. For the journey, a look at the Wattenschipper nautical chart with satellite overlay may be helpful.

Cuxhaven: Watch out for restricted areas!

The harbour area of Cuxhaven on the Lower Elbe is being expanded. The pleasure craft harbours are not directly affected by the construction work. However, restricted areas, anchor chains and construction vehicles are to be expected at the outer quays east of the Amerikahafen at all times. Please note: The restricted areas are not specially marked! Their respective locations will be announced in the notices to mariners.

Glückstadt and Stade: lock and bridge problems

In Glückstadt, the lock to the inland port will be completely closed from 22 June to 28 August for maintenance work. Guest berths can be moored in the outer harbour.

On the Schwinge, about halfway between the barrage and Stade, the railway bascule bridge can only be operated to a limited extent. However, passage to the city harbour in the old town is possible with prior notification to the bridge keeper. The club harbours in front of the bridge are easily accessible.

Hamburg: No XXL yachts

In the coveted location below the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the City sports harbour in Hamburg no boats longer than 20 metres will be moored this year.

Büsum: Cable laying restricts fairway

Cables are also being laid to the offshore wind farms on the west coast. From June to September, recreational boaters off Büsum must therefore expect restrictions in the Büsum mudflats, on the Tertiussand and in the Norderpiep; the latter is only available to a limited extent. Closures are announced via the notices to mariners and on notices in the Büsum harbour announced.

Husum: Free travel 2026

Good news from Husum: bridge construction sites regularly blocked access to the inland harbour last season. Things will be better this year. Further construction work has been postponed until the end of October - sailing operations should therefore run smoothly in 2026. Recreational boaters who the harbour with its old town atmosphere should moor to the south at the floating jetties of the pleasure craft association. The dolphins on the port side are not recommended for pleasure craft.

Heligoland: Offshore industry needs space

Things are getting tighter on Heligoland. Large areas of the outer harbour and the south quay are permanently reserved for crew and supply vessels from the wind farm industry. More shipping traffic is to be expected in the outer harbour, which pleasure boaters like to use for clearing lines and fenders. It is now primarily used as a transit area and anchoring is now prohibited everywhere.

In addition, diving and munitions salvage work takes place regularly, which can lead to temporary closures of individual areas.

Nordstrand: insider tip with 60 moorings

On Nordstrand the Süderhafen marina iThe harbour has been consistently expanded in recent years. It now has more than 60 berths.

The harbour has a good infrastructure, a quiet location and is connected to the mainland via a causeway. Nordstrand is a real insider tip for relaxing days away from the main tourist centres.

Amrum and Föhr: Check in online

The harbour Wittdün/Steenodde on the island of Amrum has a water depth of at least 1.5 metres at low tide thanks to annual dredging work. Pleasure craft now moor at floating jetties and can book and pay for their berth online. However, bookings are not possible.

The Wyk marina on Föhr is also being dredged and has a water depth of at least 1.20 metres at low tide. Here, too, guests can now check in online at any time and receive the access code for the sanitary facilities.

Just a few minutes' walk away, a new 150-metre-long pier was opened in 2024. A wide staircase leads from an XL terrace in the sea to a lower level. From there, swimming is also possible at low tide.

In the evening, it stands out with its spectacular lighting - a beautiful photo motif and a box seat for observing the tides in the mudflats.

Hörnum/Sylt: Refurbishment planned

For a long time, the ageing harbour of Hörnum on Sylt did not want to fit into the image of a sophisticated island. But now there is Plans for a comprehensive refurbishmentwhich also includes new recreation areas and catering facilities. It is not yet clear when the work will begin. Important for pleasure boaters: The Sylt Yacht Club marina is not affected by the plans - its facilities are in good condition, and the modern sanitary facilities in particular, as well as the "talking harbour machine" - i.e. a real harbour master - ensure a pleasant stay in the harbour between the dunes and the beach.

The closure of the east and west piers by the Water and Shipping Authority also has no influence on the berths in the marina.

This might also interest you:

How to cross the Wadden Sea stress-free

New navigation rules on the North Sea

New free tool for cruise planning in the tidal area

Heligoland: an island that magically attracts sailors

North Sea - Tart beauty

Current district information - always up to date

On WATTSEGLER.DE you will find everything you need for safe cruise planning, from harbour guides to soundings and current area reports.

Similarly on WATTENSCHIPPER.DEbut additionally with a interactive nautical chart. It is based on the "free nautical charts" and also contains high-resolution satellite images, on which tidal flats can be easily recognised, and an overlay with the protected areas in the mudflats, including navigation rules.