1 Freest
The fishing village of Freest is located on the mainland side of the mouth of the Peenestrom into the Greifswald Bodden. The harbour offers full service for guests. Two basins are reserved for pleasure craft. The passenger ferry runs from here to Peenemünde. www.bootswerft-freest.com
2 Kröslin
Anyone looking for a truly fully equipped five-star marina will find what they are looking for in Kröslin: The modern floating jetties offer space for 500 boats. A travel lift of up to 65 tonnes is available for launching larger yachts, and the marina's own shipyard carries out all the necessary work. There is also a technical service, a boat refuelling station and a restaurant. www.marina-kroeslin.de
3 Peenemünde
Until shortly before the end of the war in 1945, the scientist (and later space pioneer) Wernher von Braun was still working on the so-called "wonder weapons" on Usedom. His most feared result was the "Aggregat 4", better known as the "V2" - the world's first ballistic missile. The history of this period and the following decades, in which the site continued to be used for military purposes, is documented by the historical-technical museum and the "Denkmallandschaft". In the harbour, the Soviet missile submarine "U-461" (ex "B-124") of the Juliett class also provides an insight into the Cold War era (www.u-461.de). Guest sailors are welcome in the harbour of the Peenemünde Naval Regatta Association. www.mrv-peenemuende.de
4 Karlshagen
Although the yacht and fishing harbour of the small town is located on the Peenestrom, it is only 2.5 kilometres to the fine sandy beach of the Baltic Sea resort on the north side of Usedom - a good argument for a stopover, as the two coastlines are otherwise only similarly close on the Achterwasser. www.karlshagen.de/yachthafen
5 Wolgast
In addition to St Peter's Church, harbour warehouses and the Peene shipyard, the town's landmark is the modern bascule bridge over the Peene River (see above for operating times). Guests can moor in the town harbour (www.stadt-wolgast.de) or at the jetties of the Horn shipyard. www.schiffswerft-horn.de
6 Krummin
The name says it all at Krummin natural harbour: at the northern end of the reed-fringed Krumminer Wiek, you can moor at the two jetties with pile pits in a beautiful green setting. If you want, you can barbecue at the harbour or have a nice evening in the "Fischstübchen" or "Jagdstübchen". www.usedom-naturhafen.de
7 Zinnowitz
The seaside resort of Zinnowitz has its harbour even further inland on the Achterwasser. The harbour is also used by excursion boats and even has a real basin with sheet piling and pile pits. Not quite as natural as in Krummin, but the Baltic Sea beach is only 2.5 kilometres away. The attraction at the pier is the diving bell for tourists. www.zinnowitzer-yachtclub.de
8 Stagnieß
You won't find this anywhere else on Usedom: the harbour is completely surrounded by shady woodland. From here, it is also just under three kilometres to the beach, although it is quieter in this area than in nearby Zinnowitz. www.camping-stagniess.de
9 Rankwitz
Another idyll in the countryside, this time on the Lieper Winkel: the relaxed little harbour only has a handful of moorings, so the neighbourhood is manageable - and in the "Alte Fischräucherei", the fish really does taste the way it should. www.hafen-rankwitz.de
10 Karnin
All that remains of the railway lift bridge, which was destroyed towards the end of the war, is a rusty skeleton in the middle of the Peene stream. On both sides of the old railway embankment on the Usedom side is the Karnin marina, a quiet harbour with good service facilities and a small restaurant.
11 Mellenthin
Mellenthin Castle is a popular excursion destination in the centre of the island. The moated castle from the 16th century is now home to a wellness hotel. Tip: pay a flying visit to the castle bakery, which has rightly been honoured for its waffles. www.wasserschloss-mellenthin.de
12 The imperial spas
There is no doubt that the three "imperial spas" of Bansin, Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck are the biggest tourist highlights on Usedom. However, the clever marketing name fits perfectly: with their sophisticated seaside resort architecture from the Wilhelminian era, the many villas and piers, you can playfully think back to imperial times during your summer holiday. Truly a must, whether by bike or by bus. www.drei-kaiserbaeder.de
13 Świnoujście
If you're already in the east of the island, it's worth making a detour to the Polish part of Świnoujście - either from Ahlbeck via the beach promenade or on your own keel! The Świnoujście marina, for example, offers good moorings on its jetties. www.osir.uznam.net.pl
