A Personal Guide to Polish Waters
Nicholas Hill
Gdansk
Of all the places along this section of coast, Gdansk as a city is the most worthwhile to visit. It has been rebuilt from the wartime devastation in a sensitive and effective manner. In the summer it is packed with tourists, but in a way adds to the life of the town.
It is also a useful transport hub, with good road and rail links. There is an airport outside the city with daily flights to the UK.
From the sailor's point of view, it also has a good marina right in the heart of the city.
Not surprisingly, Gdansk lies at the centre of Gdansk Bay, a large sheltered area of water around 30 miles by 15. The northern end is enclosed by a long narrow sandspit, 20 miles long, with the port of Hel at the far end. There are traffic lanes to Gdansk and Gdynia, and there is a considerable amount of shipping. The entrance to the harbour is not that conspicuous: the easiest way is probably to follow the buoyed deep water channel at a discreet distance. There may be several anchored ships outside, waiting for a berth.
Some miles to the west is Gdynia, its cranes clearly visible, and a few miles to the east is the new artificial harbour of Port Polnocny.
At night, the lighthouse at Gdansk (Fl(3) 9s) is clearly visible for a long way.
The buoyed channel leads you the breakwater (L Fl R 6s). The channel here is relatively narrow. Once inside, to starboard is Customs and Immigration. There is a Border Guard by the quayside. If you have come from another Polish port, you can give him details from your boat; but if from abroad, you will have to tie up and give him your passport and crew list.
From there, you proceed up nearly 4 miles of heavily commercial waterside. These are the famous Gdansk shipyards of Solidarity fame, and are still very active. There are also several small ferries which cross the river without a great deal of care for oncoming yachts.
Eventually you arrive at the old city itself, and down a channel to port is Gdansk Marina.
The main hazard is traffic in the form of large commercial shipping, and innumerable ferries of one size or another.
berthing and facilities
There are plenty of berths in the marina. The ones closest to the entrance get some wash from ferries, but further down there is perfect shelter.
Ablutions are good but basic. They are guarded by a lady who will demand money from you. Access to the pontoons is via a smartcard.
In Polish terms, the marina is relatively expensive (36zl a day). You pay for the convenience of being in the old city.
Google Earth
The resolution here is very good, and you can follow the river down until you find the marina - further link below .
Gdansk Marina[this must be a winter picture: the marina is almost completely empty!]
Move your mouse over the numbers below to see the photograph in question
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Immigration Quay - Border Guards ahoy | Shipyards of Gdansk - Lech Walesa country | Cranes of Gdansk | Communist concrete | Guarding the river |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Chandler? | Beware ferry traffic | And those which lurk | The old city ... | and the marina |
All photographs copyright CNH/COH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.