Baltic Sea cruise from Heiligenhafen – Around Langeland

Christian Nüßer
5 days ago
3 min read

At the beginning of September, we spent a week cruising the Baltic Sea on our Momo (Bavaria Cruiser 46). The starting and finishing point was the Heiligenhafen Marina. From there, the cruise took us around Langeland with stops in Bagenkop, Omø, Nyborg, Marstal, and Orth on Fehmarn. A very special experience: Along the way, we encountered two yachts that have played a significant role in my personal sailing history – the Coco in Bagenkop (my SKS cruise in 2016 ) and the Veronica in Nyborg (my first cruises in 2014 and 2015 ).

Heiligenhafen – the start

The marina in Heiligenhafen is an ideal starting point for cruises to Denmark: well-protected, with modern infrastructure, supermarkets, and ship chandlers within walking distance. After just a few miles, you pass the Fehmarnsund Bridge, giving you all the options for your onward journey.

Bagenkop (Langeland)

The harbor of Bagenkop is ideally located for the first leg north. It's spacious, easy to approach, and offers numerous guest berths with sufficient depth. Particularly convenient: barbecue areas right by the harbor, which we also took advantage of. It was moving for me to meet Coco again here – the boat on which I completed my SKS. In the evening, we enjoyed a convivial barbecue with other sailors.

Omø

A small, cozy harbor in the Great Belt. The entrance is well marked, but there's limited space inside – arriving early gives you a clear advantage. The restrooms are decent, and the town is charming and typically Danish in its tranquility. Omø is a nice contrast to the larger harbors in the region.

Nyborg (Funen)

Nyborg's city harbor offers numerous berths, even for larger yachts. Electricity and water are available at almost all berths. Nyborg is not only interesting for sailing—with its castle and old town, there's also plenty to do on land. For me, the stay was particularly emotional, as we rediscovered the Veronica, on which I began my sailing career.

Marstal (Ærø)

Marstal is a classic Baltic Sea port. The harbor is spacious, with several basins and plenty of guest berths. Supply options are good, and the town is lively. Our highlight: a small pub that was already packed in the late afternoon. One person picked up a guitar and sang German songs – a wonderful, unexpected moment that made this stop unforgettable.

Orth on Fehmarn

Orth Harbor is smaller and more intimate than Heiligenhafen. The entrance requires attention, as it is narrow and can be challenging in westerly winds. The harbor itself offers quiet berths, good restroom facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere—perfect for that last stop before heading home.

Return to Heiligenhafen

After approximately 163 nautical miles, our trip ended back in Heiligenhafen. A varied week with good sailing winds, familiar sailing areas, and very special encounters.

Conclusion for sailors

Heiligenhafen as an ideal starting point.
Bagenkop with good facilities and sociable barbecue areas.
Omø is small, narrow, but very idyllic.
Nyborg is large, urban, and has good infrastructure.
Marstal is lively with a special flair.
Quiet, family-friendly place, a good alternative for the last night.

Port overview

Harbor	Special features
Heiligenhafen	Modern marina, good facilities, ideal starting point
Bagenkop	Spacious harbor, barbecue areas, sociable atmosphere
Omø	Small, idyllic, limited berths
Nyborg	City harbor, many squares, old town and castle
Marstal	Big, lively, special pub with live music
Orth	Small, family-run, narrow entrance, quiet atmosphere