Information

Fjord

56º37.20' N 10º32.10' E

Sailing on Randers Fjord

Speed limit: there is a speed limit on the fjord of 6 kn between the northern tip of Kanaløen and all the way to Randers.

Approach

The first real landmark is Elkjær Hill, 32 m, upon which sits Udbyhøj lighthouse. The next landmark is Melbank Beacon, an unmistakable iron erection (also known as "The Iron Horse") to the S of the fairway.
Approach from N: Stay well clear of "Boels Rev" sandbank. The first visible navigation mark in the channel is Melbank Beacon.
Approach from S or E:

Beware of the firing range at "Hevring Flak". Steer by the approach buoy, and not by Melbank Beacon, even though it can be seen first. The entrance is lit.

Current: 

Because of the current it is advisable that you set your course for the approach buoy that lies 2 nm out to sea.

The current follows the tide, but because of the flow of Gudenåen it is strongest on the ebb. In calm weather, the flow (the incoming tide) runs at about 2.5 kn, whereas the ebb (the outgoing tide) runs at 3-5 kn. A wind blowing in the opposite direction to the tidal current can give rise to a choppy sea. In a W wind and a falling tide the ebb can be so strong that, unless you have a powerful engine, it is best to wait until the tide turns if you are wanting to enter the fjord. With regard to calculating tidal flow, turn to Sailing on Mariager Fjord.

Udbyhøj

There are many options open to the visiting sailor, both for those who are just looking for a peaceful harbour for a couple of days during a summer cruise in the Kattegat and for those who have made a point of visiting one of the most outstanding areas surrounding the inner Danish waters.

Sailing on Randers Fjord, which is really an extension of Denmark's longest river, Gudenåen, can best be compared with canal cruising: The fjord gently winds its way up to the town of Randers. The inner part of the fjord is flanked by steep hills that were once coastal cliffs. The Littorina Sea extended this far, until the land upheaval left a large part of the seabed dry. Along the fjord´s shoreline the reeds grow densely, and behind them the soft contours of the landscape unfold. Immediately within the mouth of Randers Fjord there is an exciting wetland and marshland area, and the whole fjord is home to a rich bird and animal life, as well as being a resting place for large flocks of migrating birds.

There are, along the fjord, a variety of small, friendly and extremely hospitable harbours. Even in the peak season, the harbours are not crowded, and it should certainly be possible to find a berth. In many of the harbours the clubhouse may be used by visiting yachtsmen. There is no need to strike sail on entering Randers Fjord. If you pay heed to the commercial traffic, it is possible to come all the way up to Randers under sail alone - just keep within the marked channel.

All that is required to fish in Randers Fjord is a standard fishing license (which can be bought at post offices and tourist information offices). Enquire at the tourist information office about the best spots for fishing.

Sailing on Mariager Fjord

There are no obvious landmarks, although the channel is clearly marked.
Approach from N: Keep well clear of "Als Rev" bar which is marked.
Approach from the S: Keep well clear of "Boels Rev" bar which is marked.
The entrance to the fjord is lit. There are no fewer than 42 leading lights between Als Odde and Hobro.

Mariager Fjord is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful parts of countryside in Denmark. Sailing into the fjord at sunrise or at dusk can be an unforgettable experience. Mariager Fjord is the longest of the fjords in eastern Jutland, and is a so- called threshold fjord. A threshold fjord consists of a deep inner part and a shallow outer part. At its deepest point, near Mariager, the fjord is almost 30 m deep.
The fjord can therefore be divided into two distinct sections as regards both the countryside and the sailing. A narrow channel leads through the outer, shallow part of the fjord from Als Odde to Åmølle. There are n the inner part of the fjord there is, with a few exceptions, deep water close inshore. This part of the fjord is surrounded by woods and heather-clad slopes, such as the impressive hills of Bramslev Bakker.

Speed limit: Generally, there is a speed limit of 8 kn in the channel. However, in the protected areas between Hadsund Bridge and Als Odde the speed limit is 5 kn.

Current: The current follows the riders and runs at 1.5-2 kn, diminishing the further up the fjord one goes.. The current changes direction about 2 hours after high tide and low tide. The tidal current can be of significance if sailing on the fjord without a sufficiently powerful engine. To determine when the current is running into the fjord, a rule-of-thumb, is used by the pilot on Mariager Fjord, is as follows: At the full moon, high tide is a 8 am, and with a new moon high tide is at 8 pm. The dates of full moon and new moons can be found in almost any diary. The times for high tide in-between can easily be calculated, as there are 12 hours and 25 minutes between two tides. The difference between high tide in the three fjords - Limfjorden, Mariager Fjord and Randers Fjord is insignificant.

Places along the fjord

The many conservation areas, structures and ancient monuments testify to the outdoor and cultural interests around Mariager Fjord. There are plenty of good walks and bicycle rides to be had in the beautiful countryside. On the northern side of the fjord: The countryside around Hegedal at Hobro, the stream Valsgård Bæk where there is the original Hjerritsdal water mill which is still in operation and the attractive hills Branslev Bakker with thickets of juniper and grazing cattle. On this side of the fjord can also be found Ouegårds Mill with a ceramics workshop and exhibition, Kielstrup Sø, a so-called sink hole, and the burial mound Lundshøj. On the southern side: at Havndal, Lyshøj Mill with access to "the miller's hat", the mill with a millpond and magnificent main buildings. And then there is Hohøj, an ancient chieftain's burial mound, the highest point in the area from where there are fabulous views. Kongehøjen near Voldstedlund farm is one of Denmark's most impressive long barrows, in Vester Woods there is the vantage point Sukkertoppen, 40 m above the shores of the fjord Katbjerg Odde, with a protected common (for grazing), is a rare example of this sort of landscape feature.

Anchorages

There are plenty of places in the inner fjord where you can lie at anchor in the lee of the steep slopes along the coast. Those mentioned below are just a selection of the most popular. the bottom throughout the whole fjord is either mud or soft.

 

 

Jetties
Als odde: concrete jetty with a water depth of 2 m. the jetty is reserved for pilot launches and fishing vessels. It may be used temporarily, but you must move on if the pilot or fisherman return.
Dania Havn: Open quay facing the fjord. May be used, but make way for freighters. A motel has been constructed in some of the former cement factory buildings. The old smithy now houses a museum.
Høllet: The outer jetties are private and may not be used. Visitors are welcome to moor at the inner jetty, owned by Høllet Boat Club. The water depth on the outer side of the jetty is 2 m and 1.5 m on the inside. Mooring is at stern posts. Høllet, which was formerly the winter harbour for the sailing fleet, is arguable one of the most beautiful places on Mariager Fjord. There are good walks to be had in the woods and around the lake Kielstrup Sø.

57°03’4 N

10°22’7 E

9340 Aså
Tel 9825 3155

A good landmark is the artistic Aeolian harp at the end of the N harbour wall. The harp, which is high, can be seen from a distance of 4 nm.
Every spring a channel is dredged through the sandbanks off the entrance. Leading lights show the way in. The water depth in the channel and harbour is 2 nm. The harbour entrance is marked by a red and green spherical buoy. The channel through the outer basin is marked by a red and green plastic container. Entry in strong E winds is not advisable because of breakers outside the harbour entrance. Mooring is at pontoons with stern posts or alongside the 300 m long northern quay. The harbour is lit.

Description
Hou used to be a fishing harbour but today is a marina. Visiting yachtsmen are welcome to use the clubhouse, with its open fire, showers and kitchen. The entire coast from Hou to Hals is one long sandy beach offering perfect opportunities for swimming and windsurfing. Whatever the time of year, it is well worth taking a walk along the footpath that runs between the coast and the large summerhouse area.
Hou harbour is calm in all weathers, because it is protected by high sand dunes. The town of Hou and the harbour have now grown together, so that the town provides shelter for the harbour from W winds.

56°58’9 N

10°13’7 E

9370 Hals

Mou Marina is located about 2.5 nm within Limfjorden, on its S side. Approaching the harbour is straightforward. From April to November the entrance is marked by one green and one red top-marked spar buoy. The harbour consists of one basin where mooring is at jetties withy stern posts. The minimum water depth in both the entrance and the basin is 2.5 m. Beware of the current running across the entrance.
The harbour is not lit.
Mou is a small marina with space for 71 boats. For many it is still known as Mou Bro (Mou Pier) from the time when there was only a wharf. Mou used to be a busy traffic junction. As well as being a place were cattle were unloaded for Aalborg, the pier was where the ferry ”Frem”, which crossed the fjord, lay to. When the boat club decided to build a marina about 15 years ago, they resolved not to borrow money to the project. They succeeded in this, both in constructing the marina and later when building the clubhouse.
The harbour is a good alternative to both Egense or Hals when sailing into Limfjorden. On a fine summer’s day, Mou Marina is full of visiting yachts and one can enjoy the sight of other boats making their way into or out of the fjord.

56°43´3 N

10°17´0 E

9560 Hadsund  Tel 9858 8799

The old windmill S of the harbour is a good landmark. The 30 m wide, 3 m deep dredged channel leading to the entrance is marked in summer. It runs E-W. The two red triangles should be kept in line. The top triangle is located on the chimney of the auction hall, the lower one on the inner jetty. It is recommended that sailors who are in doubt about buoyage should contact the harbour master on VHF channel 16/9. The depth inside the harbour is 2.8 m. Pleasure craft moor in the S basin, at fixed jetties with stern posts. The harbour is lit all year round.

The harbour is divided in two: the still busy fishing harbour and the marina. There is a fish auction hall and a boatyard at the harbour. The marina was opened in 1990. It is built on an island at the end of a 200 m long causeway. The Øster-Hurup area, with its excellent bathing beaches and many summer houses, has become popular with holidaymakers. At the harbour there is a monument to its founder, N.K.M. Wittrup. The campaign to build a harbour lasted 20 years and ended with success in 1936. The neighboring town of Als fought to have the harbour built there, but the citizens of Øster-Hurup considered this unreasonable as Als already had both the priest and the doctor.

56°38’6 N

9°48’8 E

9500 Hobro

The marina is situated on the N side of the fjord on the outskirts of the town. Approaching the harbour is straightforward. Mooring is at jetties or pontoons with stern posts. The water can be choppy in SW winds.
The harbour is not lit.

Hobro Marina is situated in a peaceful and beautiful countryside near the south-facing, 50 m high hills at Sildehagen on the N side of Mariager Fjord.
The harbour was constructed in 1967. The clubhouse was built in 1980 and inaugurated in the 1000th year of the Viking fortification Fyrkat which can be found 5 km W of Hobro. The Viking Centre Fyrkat is being developed to include a number of different Viking buildings.
In the commercial harbour you can visit the Museum of Danish Pleasure Craft as well as Hobro Gas Museum which are both in the process of being built.
Shopping is good in Adelgade at the town centre where Hobro Church is also found. Hobro Museum is located in Vestergade, near the church.

56°46’6 N

10°06’4 E

Yachts are not allowed to moor at the quayside immediately W of Hadsund bridge, but must enter the marina. Entering the marina is straightforward as the entrances to the two basins open directly onto the channel.
Mooring in the marina is at pontoons or fixed jetties, with stern posts. Boats drawing more than 2 m should moor at berths on the outer side, towards the fjord. Be careful, as there can be a current. The marina is not lit.

Hadsund is located at the narrowest point of Mariager Fjord, surrounded by woods and water. Hadsund is a young town that developed at an old ferry site and which had, until the middle of the 1800s, only a few inhabitants who were all associated in some way with the ferryman´s house. In 1860, the first harbour was established, and in 1900 Hadsund became the terminal station at the end of the east Himmerland railway line. The first bridge over the fjord was opened in 1904. In 1976 it was replaced by the present bridge. Approximately 1,300 merchant ships sail through it annually, while it opens approximately 4,000 times a year for pleasure crafts. Today, Hadsund is an active commercial centre and a base for many industrial companies. Hadsund Marina was established in the 1940s, and since then the members have worked hard to create a pleasant place in which to spend their free time. The marina is at a peaceful spot just below Thygeslund Woods, yet only 500 m from the town centre with pedestrian streets and thriving shops.

Randers Sejlklub

8900 Randers
tel 8641 8495

The sailing club, Randers Sejlklub, occupies the most westerly moorings in the fjord. The harbour area moorings begins just after the old boatyard. Mooring is at fixed jetties with stern posts.

The location of the harbour has made this area the town's waterside promenade. In 1889, the then Crown Prince Frederik granted the members of Randers Sejlklub the privilege of sporting a five-pointed gold star on their burgee under the letters Y.F. There are only two other clubs in Denmark with this privilege.

56°28´4N

10°12´6E

The harbour is situated on the S side of the fjord, W of where Grund Fjord joins Randers Fjord. (On charts it is marked “Bro 3”).
A current runs across the entrance. The water depth, both at the entrance and in the harbour itself, is 2.5 m. In the harbour, mooring is at fixed jetties with posts. There are mooring posts in the reeds on the other side of the jetties. It is also possible to lie alongside the outer side of the eastern jetty. If all moorings are full, one can moor temporarily at the slipway.
In addition, there is a jetty, the end of which is about 20 m wide, immediately E of the harbour, to which one may moor. The water depth here is 3 m.
The harbour is not lit.

Uggelhuse used to be where the Fjord's salmon fishermen lived.
About 500 m E of the harbour is a dinghy harbour (less than 1 m deep) where local anglers moor their boats. If you decide to take a stroll there, you will discover the special atmosphere of the place. There are also walks through this striking countryside, along the path through the reed-beds and along the dyke towards Randers.
The harbour is surrounded on both sides by reed-swamp. The local thatcher stacks his reeds on his land opposite the harbour. He bundles them up and cuts them to length for use in thatching. However tempting it may be, do not play in the Thatcher's reeds.

56°31´5N

10°13´5E

The harbour is situated on the W side of the fjord, immediately S of Kanaløen. A dredged channel, marked with red and green spar Buoys, leads you from “Raden” and into the harbour. The water depth in the channel and in the harbour is 2 m, but only 1 – 1.5 m in the S basin.
Mooring in the harbour is at fixed jetties with stern posts. In addition, mooring is possible alongside the inside of the N outer pier.
Two green spar buoys in line lead one into the harbour.

The harbour has developed around the old ferry dock which is where the central pier is now. In the days of sail, ships would land part of their cargo in Mellerup so that, with reduced draught, they could continue to Randers. Often As many as 20-30 sailing ships would lie at anchor off Mellerup.
Støvringgård Abbey, 2 km S of the harbour, was for maiden daughters of the three highest ranks in the Forces. However, due to a shortage of novices, the abbey has now been converted into flats.
Immediately S of the harbour is the little dock from where the smallest car ferry in Denmark departs, to Voer on the other side of the fjord. The crossing takes 4 min. And 20 sec. The end of the jetty N of the ferry dock at Voer is reserved for official craft although it may be used in emergencies (water depth 4 m).
Randers Fjord Nature Reserve (100 m from the ferry dock at Voer) shows the skills involved in fjord fishing, the cutting of straw for thatching, the manufacture of rush shoes, seine making and boat repairs. Guided tours.

56°36’4N

10°18’2E

The harbour is situated on the southern side of the fjord immediately W of the ferry dock and pilots´ jetty. A floating breakwater about 10 m long is moored between the green posts marking the starboard side of the entrance and the western outer pier. The port side mark is a red post. On approaching the harbour watch out for the current across the entrance. The water depth is 2 m.
Mooring inside the harbour is at fixed jetties with stern posts alongside the SW quay.
The harbour is lit.
Formerly, there was only a stone jetty here, but now there is a reasonable new harbour with 50 berths. There are showers, etc., in the clubhouse.
Near the harbour it is possible to see the ruins of the old fortifications built early in the 19th century in connection with Denmark´s involvement in the war against England. Both Udbyhøj N and S were fortified at that time to prevent the enemy fleet from entering the fjord. This allowed Danish privateers which were plundering the British convoys to slip away to safety with their booty.

56°36´7N

10°18´4 E

Udbyhøj Nord is situated where Randers Fjord opens into the Kattegat. The fairway is marked right out to the mouth of the fjord. In the harbour there is mooring alongside the SE outer pier. At the two fixed jetties, as well as at the W outer pier, mooring is by stern posts. With a draught up to 1.3 m it is also possible to lie outside the SE outer pier. These moorings are not calm however, especially in NE winds. If you choose to use these berths, stay close to the harbour wall as there is only 0.6 m of water between it and the actual fairway. The harbour can be approached by day or by night.

Udbyhøj Nord is a small fishing harbour, although today it primarily serves as a marina. There are, however, still five working trawlers and fjord fishermen. There is a fishmonger and a smokery at the harbour.
Fishing and its associated activities make the harbour a natural meeting place for the residents of Udbyhøj. At the same time it is a popular destination for yachtsmen from other harbours in the fjord. To the E of the harbour is a Ramsar Convention Area, with a rich diversity of birds life.
The fjord used to freeze over in hard winters so at the end of the 18th century Udbyhøj Nord was established as a winter port, making it possible for supplies to reach Randers from the sea despite the ice. The ships were unloaded at Udbyhøj and the cargo was taken inland by road.

The harbour master can help with contacting a mechanic or opening the clubhouse, where there is a TV, and he also sells tokens for the showers. These can also be bought from the fishmonger and at the inn.

56°28’1N

9°05’E

8900 Randers

tel 8642 9543

Dronningborg Marina is not on the charts. It is situated on the N side of the fjord, about 2 nm from Randers, where the fjord begins to open out. Approximately 250 m long and 3 m deep channel, marked with spar buoys to port and starboard, leads into the marina. It is important to round the last green spar buoy (with top marking) before heading E for the jetties. The marina has three jetties, with mooring to stern posts. Depth at the western jetty is 1 m, and at the other two 1.9 – 2 m.
The harbour is not lit.
Originally, the harbour had only one jetty, but it has been expanded to take approximately 155 boats. The harbour is peacefully situated on the borderline between meadows and the town. Dronningborg is a surburb of Randers. It is easy to walk the 3 km or so to the town along the river bank, but there are also regular bus services.
From 1928 until 1951 the sailors from Dronningborg belonged to the sailing club Sejlklubben Fjorden: For many years, and even after 1951 when the Dronningborg Boat Club was formed, only motorboats moored at the jetty. The only sailing boat lay at anchor.

56º32’1 N

10º42’8 E

8585 Glesborg

Tel 8638 6133
Fax 8638 6232

On approaching the harbour the seven windmills make good landmarks. The windmills stand on the harbour walls which were extended in 1996 in order to prevent silting of the harbour entrance. There are three windmills on the western wall and four on the eastern wall.
Approach from E or W
There are shallows both E and W of the harbour, with less than 2 m of water up to 0.7 nm from the shore. Having passed these shallows, head for a point about 0.1 nm N of the entrance. The entrance is approached from here by sailing due S. Following the extension of the harbour walls, this course should provide a depth of 3.5 m at the entrance, at mean sea level.
Entering the harbour is inadvisable in strong N or NE winds, because of the breakers. In a strong breeze the current can run across the entrance at up to 2 kn.
Mooring alongside both eastern and southern piers in the inner W basin. Even though a sign directs pleasure craft to the W basin, it may be worth looking for a berth in the eastern part of the harbour - though only at the pontoons erected by Bønnerup Boat Club, where mooring is by the stern posts. All other berths are reserved for the local fishing fleet. The ten most northerly berths along the eastern pier are liable to silting. Entry possible day and night.

Most of the inhabitants of Bønnerup are descended from the 4-5 families who settled beside the beach almost 100 years ago and established the fishing town of Bønnerup Strand. Many of the old houses, that were dwellings for these first fishermen, can still be seen along the coast.
Something is always happening at the harbour. Freshly-caught fish can be bought from the quayside, and there is plenty to see, watching the fishermen at work. Bønnerup fishermen always have time for a chat, even though they might appear a little withdrawn to visitors. Every day, summer and winter, retired or working fishermen are about, waiting for “the right weather”, dressed in their characteristic blue overalls, the “Bønnerup habit”. The harbour has always served as a meeting point for the town, and most of the locals take a stroll there every day.
The annual harbour festival takes place in the second week in July. Activities include precision sailing by the fishing fleet as well as entertainment, music, food and drink.

56º43.00' N 11º30.50' E

Don’t miss this spectacular Island in the middle of the "Kattegat". Large harbour with space for 400-500 visitors.
Fresh fish, Lobsters and the small "Norway Lobsters" (Jomfruhummer) are all available here.
In July it might be quite crowded. I have never seen an island with more different nature than Anholt.
The Westerly part is very green, high real white sand dunes. Excellent beaches with white sand like sugar. After you have left, you will enjoy the fine sand everywhere in the boat during many weeks. Only about 100 residentials on this island. The visitors are mainly sailors. Enjoy it in summer weather. When weather is gray and rainy, it's better to stay away.
The Eastern part is a real desert and is a very sensitive nature reserve. You might see many Seals at this end.
Hire a bike (don’t use your own if you intend to have it for a long time) and take a ride around the whole island, riding on the wet part of the beach. 

S pier head: 

56º24’20N

10º55’63E

Approach from S
Stay well clear of “Navergrunden”, an unmarked bank about 0.8 nm SE of the marina. To sail between the shore and the bank, head for the marina’s port side seaward approach light on 355°-360° true course.
Approach from E
Head for the marina entrance (marked with a red and green light, flashing synchronously) on 240°-295° true course.
Approach from N
The ferry port was extended in 1993, leaving only a narrow passage to the W of “Kalk-grunden”. You should therefore sail E of this bank.

In the harbour, mooring is at pontoons, alongside or at stern posts. The eastern harbour wall is reserved for yachts over 12 m in length, which may moor alongside it.
The harbour can be entered day and night as the entrance is lit by red and green lights, flashing synchronously. Keep a lookout for ferry traffic.

This is a modern marina with every possible facility. It was established in an artificial lagoon just S of the mouth of the Grenaa River. S of the harbour is a 7 km long sandy beach, one of the cleanest in Denmark. If you have a dinghy or an inflatable tender, you can row up the Grenaa River and even “sail to the shops”. Beside the river is a towpath leading right into the town centre. You can also enjoy a good walk in the plantation or in the woodlands and meadows immediately W of the harbour.
The Kattegat Centre is situated close to the marina. It is northern Europe’s largest centre about life in the sea.

8400 Ebeltoft

Tel 8634 3124

From the starboard buoy that marks the N side of “Sandhagen”, take a 90° true course until you reach the starboard and port buoys that mark the fairway to the commercial port.
The commercial port’s W harbour wall has been extended 50 m towards the NE, where a pier head has been built that needs to be rounded to starboard in order to enter the harbour.
A breakwater has been built out between the frigate “Jylland” towards the SW and to the commercial harbour.
There are always many fishing nets off the coast at Ebeltoft.
The harbour is an old commercial port where two pontoons have been established for visitors. Mooring is at berths with stern posts or, for larger boats, alongside the quay at the far end of the harbour.
The harbour is dredged to a depth of 3 m alongside the pontoons and 4.5 m elsewhere.
The harbour can be approached by day or by night.

Due to its size, the large commercial port is often visited by tall ships.
A number of vessels which offer angling day trips operate from this harbour.
The commercial port is neighbor to the frigate “Jylland”, a museum dock and activities involving the restoration and building of old wooden ships. An old lightship and a fishing vessel, amongst others, are on display in the museum dock. The town of Ebeltoft is situated only a few hundred meters from the harbour. The town is an atmospheric market town with a wealth of restored, old houses and a network of winding, cobbled streets.

55º54’7N

10º15’5E

The approach to Hou starts in the straight of Hou Løb. Under normal conditions the current changes with the tide, but in strong winds the current will follow the direction of the wind and can run at speeds of up to 2 kn.
Follow the marked Hou Løb until you reach the fairway which begins between the green Duc D’albe, marked by a light (Fl.(3) G. 8 s) and the N buoy in the western part of the fairway.
The first basin you pass is the ferry terminal. This basin is reserved for the Samsø and Tunø ferries. The marina is situated in the W basin. There is also a smaller basin to the SW of the marina with a depth of 1.8-2.2 m.
In S winds, the water in the marina can be choppy. The harbour can be approached by day or by night in good visibility. Mooring alongside the quay or at berths with stern posts.

Hou Marina consists of two basins, the largest of which was constructed in the 1890s. The small marina to the W opened in 1987. The harbour originally belonged to the Master of the Royal Hunt, C.F.E. von Holstein-Rathlou, and was used for the shipping of crops, etc. In 1903, the Master gave the harbour to the fishermen of the town, who immediately set about extending and improving it. When fishing was at its height in 1934, there were about 35 fishing boats in Hou. Since then, fishing around Hou has also been in recession, and now there is only one working fishing boat in the harbour. Today, the harbour is owned by the County of Århus and the Municipality of Odder. Not far from the harbour, in Søndergade, are three shops for everyday goods - a baker, a butcher and a grocer. There is an extremely attractive beach just N of the ferry terminal.

56º08.80' N 10º39.85' E

An "inland marina" in and around a holiday resort built on 7 artificial islands. Long entrance channel with a single lock (1 m. lift). Always plenty of space due to the capacity of the lock. They cannot fill the marina with boats before people want to leave again. Waiting time by experience max. 15 minutes. If you have children onboard, they will love you if you visit this place. I like it for a day or two. Very often a real good cozy atmosphere due to the family houses in this resort. Very little provisions available due to bankruptcy of several shops in the center. 

10°04’35 E

Kongsdal Marina lies on the S side of Mariager Fjord, 0.3 SE on the commercial harbour. An obvious landmark is the red and white lighthouse on the W side of the harbour entrance.
Approach from E
Even though the channel is marked all the way out to the point opposite the cement factory Dania Cement Fabrikken, it is possible to leave the channel S of “Møllegrunden” and head directly for Kongsdal Marina.
Approach from NW
The marina is situated directly NW of the two green beacons that lead vessels into the first part of the channel to Kongsdal commercial harbour.
You can count on a water depth of 2 m in the W basin and 2.5 m in the E basin. Mooring is at fixed jetties with stern posts.
The marina, unlike the commercial harbour, is not lit.

There are 70 berths in the W basin and 20 in the E basin. The atmosphere at the harbour is friendly and pleasant.
The sailing club's logo, built of stones by the members, can be seen from a long way off. It caught H.M. Queen Margrethe II´s eye when she was on the way to Mariager´s quatrocentenary celebrations and she made a detour into Kongsdal to look at the harbour.
Around the harbour there is much that testifies to the activities of the boat club – homemade stilts hang in the playground, there is a small summerhouse with a barbecue and tables and benches have been positioned to take advantage of the views.
The marina is surrounded by hills and marshes, home to a rich bird life. The boat club also runs a small camp site, on the hill above the clubhouse.

10°18´ E

Approaching the harbour is straightforward. The entrance is easily recognized by the port leading light, a white building with a red line across it. The moorings inside the eastern outer harbour wall are reserved for pilot boats. The end section of the pile jetty on the northern side of the E basin is reserved for the ferry which docks here for the night. This section of the jetty is marked by a yellow stripe.
Yachts should moor in the western part of the harbour, where there are moorings at pontoons with stern posts in the inner section, or in the outer part of the harbour where mooring is at fixed jetties with stern posts. It is also posssible to moor alongside the quays. The W outer basin, which was previously choppy, is now sheltered by a breakwater. In calm weather you can moor alongside the quay on the outside of the outer harbour walls.
Beware of the current running across the entrance.
The harbour is lit.

In addition to the 130-berth marina, the harbour is home to a number of recreational fishermen and some large fishing vessels in the fishing harbour. The pilot boats responsible for this part of Limfjorden also dock here. Hals Boat Club has opened its doors to visiting sailors, and the harbour is a popular destination with locals as well as visitors. Just opposite the harbour are well-preserved fortifications dating back to 1654, with a moat, powder tower and armory, The local museum now occupies the buildings. The symbol of the town are the jawbones of a 9-tonne blue whale, which stand in the square. The jawbones of a Boryvalus, shot in the Arctic Ocean in 1868, used to be there but a lorry driver unfortunately drove into them in 1953 and, given their fragility, they did not survive. A Norwegian whaling company, based in Sandefjord, gave the town the present set.

10°17´0 E

Approach from S
Set a course for a point at 57° 08´7 N / 10° 26´5 E
0.4 nm E of the harbour. From here change course towards the entrance on 270° true course.

Approach from N
From the green buoy off Voerså, set a compass course for a point at 57° 08´7 N / 10° 26´5 E o.4 nm E of the harbour entrance on 270° true course.

Note: An E buoy approximately 1.2 m S of the harbour has been cancelled.
Entry to the harbour is via a dredged channel. Depth in the channel and the harbour is 2 m. The channel is marked by two green and two red buoys. The outer ones are top-marked. There are three basins in the harbour. The marina occupies the northern basin. Mooring is at berths with stern posts. Yachts may also moor alongside the quays in the other two basins. The southern and northern jetties in the middle basin have recently been renovated with new wooden piles, electricity, light and water. The harbour is lit. When approaching at night the white vertical fluorescent light between the red and green harbour lights

In the two southern basins the atmosphere remains that of a fishing harbour, with four registered fishing vessels. Long lines of tool sheds surround the harbour, and the boatyard with its slipway adds to the atmosphere. However, it is mostly yachts that use the harbour now.
An interesting little museum has been set up in one of the old sheds. Rows of little beach huts dominate the dunes along the beach to the S of the harbour, where there is plenty of activity throughout the summer. The shallow waters to the SW of the harbour are excellent for windsurfing.