Sailing in Poland

The Polish coast has no archipelagoes, the only anchorage you can find are in marinas, usually in river estuaries. On the other hand, these marinas are now undergoing restorations in order to cope with the increasing number of visiting yachts. The Polish coast is full of beautiful beaches and the beaches are full of beauties. 

Poland lies on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea wedged between Germany and the Soviet Union, two countries whose territorial ambitions have shaped most of Poland’s recent history. Poland was the first East European country to rid itself of Communist rule by democratic means and also put an end to Soviet domination. The process, which started in Poland in the early 1980s, has had reverberations, not only in Europe but all over the world.

Of all the Communist countries in Europe, Poland was the first to allow its sailors to cruise away from home. Although most limited their sailing to neighbouring Baltic countries, a few Polish yachts sailed as far as the Caribbean and some even around the world.

Cruising in Poland itself is limited to the two sailing areas around the ports of Szczecin and Gdynia, the former in the estuary of the river Oder (Odra), the latter on the western shore of the Gulf of Gdansk.

Yachting facilities have improved greatly in recent years. There are many yacht clubs that may be good sources of information if help is needed. Best yachting facilities are in the marinas at Szczecin, Trzebiez, Leba, Gdynia, Gdansk and Gorki Zachodnie, where there are considerable local sailing communities. There are good marinas in Gdynia, which is municipal and has four yacht clubs, and in Gdansk on Motlawa River in the city centre.

Facilities in Swinoujscie are very limited. Better facilities are available at Szczecin where there are two marinas and several yacht clubs.

Repair facilities also exist in Kolobrzeg yacht harbour, 50 miles east of Swinoujscie. There is a new marina at Dzwirzyno west of Kolobrzeg.