Arrival and parking
By car, Heiligenhafen is easily reached via the A1 motorway. Take the first exit into town. Follow the road all the way to the waterfront, then keep left. More detailed arrival information can be found in your BaseInfo.
Our base in Heiligenhafen is located at the far end of the marina, on the outermost pontoons. Ideally, save your destination point and the contact details of your base before setting off.
Unload first, then park for the duration of your trip
For loading and unloading, you may drive close to our pontoons and park there for up to 30 minutes. Please bring your luggage and provisions first to the yacht or to the agreed handover point. Access for unloading is not intended as parking for the full charter period.
While you are at sea, you may leave your vehicle in the free long stay car parks in town. Alternatively, we also offer a secure indoor parking space as an optional extra.
If the crew arrives separately
Arrange a shared meeting point and divide responsibilities for shopping and luggage in advance. If travelling by train and bus, be sure to check the final connection to Heiligenhafen and plan the route from the stop to the pontoon. A shuttle service from the railway station to the marina can also be booked as an optional addition to your charter.
Provisioning and yacht handover
The close proximity to town makes provisioning straightforward: supermarkets and dining options are within walking distance of the harbour. It is best to coordinate shopping and handover timing. Part of the crew can organise provisions while the responsible parties become familiar with the yacht. Chilled goods should only be brought on board once they can be properly stowed.
Sanitary facilities and distances within the marina
Sanitary facilities are located in our office building directly by the pontoon. Charter guests receive the access code before arrival in the BaseInfo and again in the ship’s folder on board. Shower tokens are required for the showers. These are available, among other places, from the marina office right next to the sanitary facilities. It is best to clarify how many you need before using the showers for the first time.
At our Heiligenhafen base, the sanitary facilities, waste disposal, fuel station and shopping options are all conveniently close together. This well planned harbour infrastructure is complemented by the excellent support provided by our team.
Getting to know the yacht and planning the first stage
Please note that we can only grant access to your yacht at the scheduled handover time. Our team on site requires time to prepare your yacht, as well as those of other charter guests, to a professional standard. Once on board, check the inventory and record any irregularities you notice. Take time to familiarise yourself thoroughly with the systems relevant to your voyage, such as navigation, power supply, water, the onboard toilet and access to safety equipment. During the personal handover, you can then discuss any questions or issues that arise with the staff on the pontoon. You may also confirm the contact details for technical support and the agreed return procedure with the team on site.
Once everything has been stowed, the crew can make final arrangements and review the current marine weather forecast. The first stage should be planned according to the time remaining and the prevailing conditions. Spending the first night in the departure harbour can be a sensible choice if a late arrival would otherwise create unnecessary time pressure before departure. Most of our yachts have fixed berths that you may use throughout your charter period. If no fixed berth is listed for your yacht in the BaseInfo, please coordinate berth use directly with the base.
Sailing routes from Heiligenhafen
From Heiligenhafen, you can make Fehmarn the focus of your cruise, sail along the German coast, or plan a passage to Denmark. The location offers several attractive route options. When choosing your itinerary, the desired daily stages, the crew’s experience and the expected wind development are all important factors. It is wise to keep a shorter alternative ready for both the outward and return journey.
Fehmarn: a cruising ground for several stages
Fehmarn’s close proximity makes the island an obvious focal point. Harbours such as Orth, Lemkenhafen and Burgtiefe offer varied destinations for route planning. Your trip does not need to include a full circumnavigation of the island. For the harbours you choose, check the approach, water depth and exposure in relation to the expected weather. If you intend to pass through the Fehmarnsund, you must also compare the current transit conditions with your yacht’s dimensions. Yacht specific information can be found in the ship’s folder on board.
Westward towards Kiel Bay
A westward course opens up further planning possibilities along the Schleswig Holstein coast. This option is particularly attractive if you would like to link several coastal stages together. Consider early on when the return leg should begin: the farther your destination, the longer the journey back to the charter base. The key question is how many hours per day the crew wishes to sail and which harbour alternatives are suitable for each section.
South east into Lübeck Bay
Lübeck Bay is another appealing direction for a cruise from Heiligenhafen. It allows you to include different stretches of coastline than a westward route. Sailing close to shore does not automatically mean shelter from wind and swell. For your intended harbours, pay particular attention to the approach and their position in relation to the forecast wind direction.
Denmark with sufficient time available
Bagenkop on Langeland is one possible Danish destination, while longer passages might, for example, include Marstal on Ærø. The crossing adds more open water sections to the voyage and requires a suitable time frame. For a one week charter, it should fit within a plan that allows manageable stages and a sensible time reserve for the return. On a longer charter, there is naturally more flexibility for a harbour day or a later departure. Plan the trip so that a single weather window does not dictate either the outward passage or the return.
Heiligenhafen ashore
Heiligenhafen can easily be explored on foot from the yacht harbour. Via the fishing harbour, you can reach the town centre with its shops and restaurants. The marina promenade leads to the Erlebnis Seebrücke pier. This makes it easy to enjoy a walk by the water before handover or spend some time in town after returning the yacht, without needing to plan any additional car journeys.
For a longer stay before or after your voyage, it is well worth taking a closer look at Graswarder. This coastal landscape is also a protected habitat for birds and plants. If you would like to discover it in more depth, you may wish to plan a guided nature tour with NABU.
If you are planning a walk or a guided tour, your arrival and handover arrangements should already be carefully coordinated in terms of timing. Arriving earlier in Heiligenhafen does not mean that your yacht will already be ready. Make good use of the time you have available. The short distances to the beach and the old town give you every opportunity to enjoy Heiligenhafen’s sights, even at short notice.
Equipment and documents
Part of your preparation can be completed before travelling to Heiligenhafen. Check what bedding and personal items you need to bring or book additionally for your yacht. If children are travelling with you, suitable lifejackets should also be arranged in good time. It is best to review the general inventory list together with the specific features of your chosen yacht. Our information on equipment on our Baltic yachts will help you prepare.
Your document check should also include any questions relating to distress flares and emergency signalling equipment. On the page Pyrotechnic certificate and emergency signalling equipment, we explain the required documentation and the intended procedure. Please clarify any outstanding points before arrival so they do not first arise during handover.
