The Flensburg Fjord is one of the best sailing areas in Germany. From the top of the Flensburg harbor to the buoy in the outer fjord, there are plenty interesting places to look at.
I will start this virtual trip at the top of Flensburg harbor.
In the inner harbor is the Bellevue restaurant, inviting guests to a large terrace over the port. On the port side, the first excursion steamer lays. Here also the Alexandra has her permanent mooring. Continue to the historic harbor. Here are many old and traditional sailing ships, which are lovingly restored in the small shipyard.
Across from the historic port, the sailors are able to charter a ship for the holidays. A short distance beyond the tall silos are located. Here there often are smaller cargo ships that turn their cargo at the port.
Back on the other side is the marina Galwik and the shop with the “sailors gold” Niro Petersen. Then it goes past the Flensburg Stadtwerken. This is where an infinite amount of coal lays, which supplies the plant with energy.
Continue past the Flensburg shipyard. Since 1872, the keel of the various ships are placed. The first ship was the “Doris Brodersen”, a fullship of steel. Today the shipyard is known worldwide for the high quality of the ships. Since I regularly visit the port, there is always a new ship in front of the hangar.
On the starboard side is the new marina Sonvik. On the pier, the well-heeled can buy a colored residential block. With own pier in the “garden” and boathouse under the house. Otherwise, this port has just the charm of a marina.
A little further is the Navy Marineschule Mürwik. An imposing building, which is seen with its high tower from afar. From land you do not see much of the navy school. But from the water ….. Here,by the way, the second World War was finally ended on 7 May 1945.
Now the bouy 14 comes into view. We have left the port of Flensburg and sail out into the fjord. Far to starboard Flensburg Wassersleben is situated. Here ends the Krusau – a German-Danish border river north of Flensburg. Fed from many sources on both sides of the border, it flows through a deep valley, lakes, marshes, meadows and forests and flows in the Flensburg Fjord. Wassersleben is a also a popular beach for Flensburg and Denmark. From here Denmark is on portside and Germany on starboard. When beating it is allowed to host the Danish flag on the top right up!
On the starboard side is the home port Fahrensodde. Here is also a popular spot for surfing and kiting. A small sandy beach offers the ideal conditions.
On the Danish side of the fjord, you can see the hotel “Fakkelgården”. A gourmet restaurant at the highest level, and an exclusive golf hotel.
Back on the German side, we now pass Glücksburg. From the water the large marina can be seen already from afar. To the left is the small beach and many good hotels. Once a year there is a big firework with music on a pontoon on the water. Then not only the guests on land, but also hundreds of boats gather in the small bay of Glücksburg to join this special event.
Back on board, it goes past the Ochseninseln. A legend says, that these islands were formed because a giant wanted to jump from Denmark to Germany. Trying this, two lumps of clay fell out of his boots. These two lumps of clay have since formed the Ochseninseln. One small and one large island.
The small island is now uninhabited and heavily overgrown. In the past, the island has changed hands several times. It belonged to a lawyer and notary from Flensburg, who used the island as a summer residence. He planted a park and paths and put up sculptures from antiquity in order to make his life beautiful. Later the island belonged to a teachers’ union from Copenhagen, who built a school camp there.
The large island was used for agriculture and fisheries. Later there was even a small shipyard on the island . After the floods of 1872 also this island changed hands several times. Today 7.5 hectares are farmed on the island again. There is a campground, a restaurant and boat-building takes place again. Today a small ferry sails to the island from Sønderhav. Here you also will find the best hot-dog stand in Denmark.
In the next two miles are along the Danish coast, you will find some bays where you can anchor well. The quiet and picturesque scenery are guarantors for pure relaxation!
Opposite, on the German side of the fjord, lays Schausende. This small artificial port was builtin the mid-70’s . Through a narrow shipping channel you arrive at the beautiful harbor. Here you get everything a sailor’s heart needs-on Wednesdays even a shanty choir!
Past bouy 12, it goes through the Straits of Holnis. The nature park Holnis was once visited by the writer Fontane. Here you will find a sailor´s and soldier’s grave.
On the Danish side we now see Egernsund. The swing bridge opens the way to Gråsten, the summer residence of the Danish royal family, and the Nybøl Nor, a branch of the Flensburg Fjord. If you stay on the fjord, we sailed on to Marina Minde. Marina Minde is as the name implies, a marina. However, not impersonal like most marinas, but very cozy. At the harbor master you can order sandwiches and buy all kinds of food. The sanitation facilities are far above the average. A small restaurant, which changed hands several times (most recently it was a Greek restaurant) is also present in the harbor.
Now it passes a special bouy. Bouy 6, better known as “mother-in-law”, was replaced a few years ago. Previously it was a floating bouy, today it is a fixed beacon. This you should not snip, because it is extremely shallow there. The gulls which swims there, do not swi , they are standing on the ground!
Once the bouy is bypassed, it goes on to Bockholmwik, and left of it on Langballigau. About Bockholmwik there is nothing to say. The first time i came there, i heard a coarse way of talking. Thank God there are other ports where you will be received friendly. Conclusion: once and NEVER again!
Langballigau this is a nice port. In the harbor entrance you will find the excursion steamer. You can sit on the promenade and enjoy your cold beer. And then there’s a very good fish restaurant (personal recommendation: plaice) where you can sit outside on a large terrace and look over the fjord and the harbor . Here are all the small fishing boats, of which the catch is sold directly. All in all, a really cozy harbor.
On the last part of the Flensburg Fjord, one should enjoy the beautiful nature. Whether Denmark or Germany, both sides of the fjord are uniquely beautiful. Here ends the virtual trip to the outer Flensburg Fjord. I hope that one or the other now want´s to see my favorite sailing area.