Arrival and parking
By car, Flensburg is easily reached via the A7. Your destination for yacht handover is Marina Sonwik on the inner fjord. If you are arriving by train or bus, please also plan the onward journey from the station to the marina. Before travelling, save the destination and contact details from your booking documents. Please note that the general harbour address does not yet indicate your yacht’s exact berth.
Unload at the pontoon, then park
You may stop directly at the charter pontoon for loading and unloading. First take your luggage and provisions to the yacht, then move your car to the designated long stay parking area. The secured car park for charter guests is around 300 metres from the pontoon and is free of charge. You will need a parking permit, which you will receive before arrival together with the other base documents in your BaseInfo. Please print a copy and note the name of your charter yacht on it.
If the crew arrives separately
Arrange a meeting point at the base and divide shopping and luggage transport among the crew. Arriving at the marina does not necessarily mean that the yacht has already been released. Please coordinate the handover time with the base, so the team can prepare the yacht and the crew knows when boarding is possible.
Provisions and yacht handover
Arrange your provisions before handover, or divide the tasks within the crew. There are places to eat in Sonwik by the harbour. For a larger shop, the nearest supermarket is not far away. Please bear in mind that chilled goods can only be brought on board once the yacht has been released and can be properly stowed.
Sanitary facilities and access on the pontoon
The sanitary building is located next to the floating office building. Access is by code, which you will receive in advance and again in the ship’s folder. Showers and hot water are complimentary for charter guests. Keep the access details somewhere the crew can find them before going on board the yacht.
Taking over the yacht
Once the yacht has been released, inspect the yacht and inventory, and record any existing issues during handover. Go through the systems you will need for your cruise: navigation, power supply, water, onboard toilet, and safety equipment. Clarify with the team who can be contacted in the event of technical questions and what return time applies to your booking. Only then should you decide, based on the marine forecast, the time remaining, and your crew, whether to depart on the same day.
Refuel before returning
Marina Sonwik has a boat fuel station at the harbour entrance with card payment. Build refuelling into your return passage and clarify the return requirements for your yacht before the trip begins. A fuel station in the departure harbour does not replace a sensible time buffer: in busy periods or strong winds, mooring may take longer than expected.
Cruising routes from Flensburg
From Sonwik, your route first leads through Flensburg Fjord. This makes the first leg easy to plan if you would like to become familiar with the yacht after handover. Even so, the fjord is no guarantee of calm conditions. Choose your destination and passage length according to wind, visibility, daylight, and the experience of your crew.
Short legs within Flensburg Fjord
For a shorter trip, you may consider harbours within the fjord, such as Langballigau on the German side. This leaves more time for handover and for the crew to settle into their routine. Before departure, please check the latest pilotage information for your destination harbour and consider whether staying in Sonwik after a late arrival may be the better choice for your first night.
Towards Sønderborg and around Als
If you have several days available, you may wish to include the Danish side of the fjord and the island of Als in your plans. Sønderborg is one possible destination harbour; a circuit around Als requires more stages and suitable conditions for the return. Do not rely on a single long final leg for your return passage, and check the latest bridge and transit information for your chosen route.
Further into Denmark’s island waters
With more time, your cruise can extend beyond the fjord into Denmark’s island region. There, the decisions differ from those of a short fjord trip: which harbours suit your draft, how far the crew wishes to sail each day, and where to leave a reserve for weather or a harbour day. Match your destinations to the specific yacht rather than following a fixed weekly route unchanged.
Along the Schleswig Holstein Baltic coast
Another option leads out of the fjord along Germany’s Baltic coast, for example towards the mouth of the Schlei. For this, it is worth reviewing the overall distance early on: every mile sailed away from your departure harbour must also be allowed for on the return. Keep shorter alternative destinations in mind in case conditions are not suitable for a longer passage.
For every route, current charts, official nautical notices, and the marine weather forecast are essential. Please also check the applicable requirements for your planned border crossing into Denmark.
Flensburg ashore
Sonwik is located on the inner fjord. At the harbour, you can enjoy some time by the water before handover; for a visit to the town, it is worth setting aside a separate block of time. Flensburg town centre is reachable from Sonwik, but it is not directly beside the charter pontoon. Coordinate shopping, sightseeing, and your handover appointment accordingly.
If you have more time, you may wish to visit the historic harbour, the museum harbour, and the Maritime Museum. These places add a meaningful connection to the city’s seafaring heritage before or after your sailing holiday. It is best to check opening times and travel routes for your specific day of arrival. Arriving earlier in Flensburg does not alter the agreed yacht release time.
Equipment and documents
Please check what bedding and personal items are already provided on board for your booked yacht, and what you may wish to bring or add to your booking. If children are travelling with you, suitable lifejackets should be arranged in good time. The equipment on our Baltic yachts offers helpful general packing guidance, although the details for your specific yacht remain the key reference for any special features.
Questions relating to distress flares should also form part of your preparation. Our information on pyrotechnic certification and distress signals explains the required documentation and the relevant procedures. Please clarify any outstanding points before travelling to Sonwik.
