Sailing in Lithuania

To sail in Lithuanian waters, you need good charts! Russian ones are of highest quality. Newly corrected Russian charts are sold in many countries. 

In general, Lithuanian waters are very shallow. At most places it is wise to sail in the marked fairways. Sometimes you have to sail 5-6 NM from the nearest land. The shallow waters makes harbours rare. But there are small and charming fishing harbours! Some of them have excellent service for yachtsmen. Here you can often find a sauna, electricity and a bar. The ports are often manned both day and night.


The typical navigational situation is that you approach a port holding your way well out from the shore. You find the buoy (a safe water mark) marking the beginning of the fairway to the port. From that position, you only have to follow the buoyage towards the port. In the chart you find the course leading in. Coming closer, and with a little luck, you can also find the beacons marking the leading line.

Buoys and beacons  show up as expected. Leading lines are often hard to see, but with the help of buoys and harbour plans, you can managed anyhow. But beware of the lights! The lights are often out of order. Do not rely on the lighthouses either. Don't navigate in darkness! You can navigate without problem at daytime. In darkness - that's totally another story. Plan your visit to June and July, when the days are long!