Sweden : Profile

Facts

• Up in the north-west corner of Europe, Sweden forms half of the Scandinavian peninsula. The tongue of Sweden divides the Baltic from the North Sea and the country's two coasts offer an infinite variety of cruising.

• On the west coast the most attractive cruising area is from the Norwegian border to Göteborg, while on the east coast the most picturesque region is the Stockholm archipelago and the area to the south of it.

• To these should be added the various inland waterways, the best known being the Göta Canal, a scenic route which allows a yacht to sail from one side of Sweden to the other without the necessity to drop its mast.

• There are secluded anchorages and pretty villages throughout southern Sweden, making it one of the most attractive cruising destinations in Europe.

• Provisioning is easy everywhere with the exception of the remoter areas and in many places it is possible to come alongside a dock close to a grocery store. Fuel is not so widely available away from the larger centres. LPG containers can only be filled with the proper adaptor and this can only be done in some of the major towns.

• There are only a few marinas, although mooring facilities are available everywhere. Most moorings belong to the Swedish Cruising Club, are painted red or blue and can also be used by foreign visitors either for short stays in daytime or for the night. Private moorings may also be used, either with permission, or if the absent owner has left a prominent green card indicating the berth is free.

• The biggest marinas are in Stockholm (Vasahamn) and Göteborg, and this is also where most repair facilities are located. The standard of repair work is good throughout Sweden, but it may be difficult finding repair facilities in the more remote areas. For any major repair it is best to head for one of the larger yachting centres where almost everything is available.

Weather

The climate is temperate due to the Gulf Stream, and the summers are pleasant. Winters are cold, the temperatures around freezing. Summer arrives only in June and the sailing season rarely lasts beyond the end of September, but has the advantage of long summer nights. The winds in summer are variable and mostly light.

Stockholm Radio English language VHF weather forecasts are at 06:00 and 18:00 UTC i.e. 08:00 adn 20:00 local time in the summer

Main Ports

Customs Places

P = passport control points by which foreigners may enter and leave Sweden.

F = frontier crossing points by which foreigners may enter and leave Sweden when travelling to and from Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

North Coast Haparanda F, Luleå P, Piteå F, Skellefteå F, Umeå P, Örnsköldsvik P, Härnösand P (no customs facilities), Sundsvall P, Hudiksvall F, Söderhamn, Gävle P.

Stockholm Archipelago Norrtälje F (no customs), Kapellskär F, Stockholm P, Sandhamn P (no customs), Södertälje P, Nynäshamn P.

East Coast Oxelösund P, Norrköping P, Söderköping P (no customs), Västervik P, Oskarshamn F, Kalmar P.

Gotland Slite P, Visby P.

South Coast Karlskrona (and Dragsö) P, Ronneby P, Karlshamn P, Sölvesborg F, Åhus F, Simrishamn P (report to nearest communication centre), Ystad P, Trelleborg P, Malmö (and Limhamn) P, Landskrona P, Helsingborg (and Råå) P, Höganäs F, Mölle P (no customs).

West Coast Halmstad P, Falkenberg F, Varberg F, Göteborg P, Marstrand P (no customs), Skärhamn F (report to nearest communications centre), Stenungsund, Lysekil P, Uddevalla P, Kungshamn and Smögen F (report to nearest communications centre), Strömstad P.

Communications Centres

North Coast
Swedish Coastguard Headquarter Harnosand
Tel. +46 611 335550 (h24)
Email vb.krln@coastguard.se

Northern Baltic including Stockholm archipelago
Swedish Coastguard Headquarter Stockholm
Tel. +46 8 7897994 (h24)
Email b.krlo@coastguard.se

Southern Baltic including the Sound
Swedish Coastguard Headquarter Karlskrona
Tel. +46 455 353535 (h24)
Email vb.krls@coastguard.se

Western part including Gothenburg area
Swedish Coastguard Headquarter Gothenburg
Tel: +46 31 7279100 (h24)
Email vb.krlv@coastguard.se

Normally it is possible to reach Swedish Coastguard by using VHF channel 16

Coastguard Headquarters can handle all possible matters including border controls and customs matters for visiting pleasure boats.

East Coast:  Arkosund , Kalmar , Stockholm * , Vastervik

Gotland:  Visby(Gotland)

Gulf of Bothnia:  Ornskoldsvik *

South Coast:  Simrishamn * , Varberg Getteron * , Ystad

West Coast:  Goteborg * , Helsingborg , Malmo * , Marstrand , Stromstad

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Proof of Competency for European Countries (01 Mar 2010)

European Regulations Regarding Insurance Cover and AIS Equipment  (13 Sep 2009)

The Norwegian Cruising Guide 2009 Edition Now Available (30 Mar 2009)

VAT and Schengen Visa Clarification  (13 Nov 2008)

The Stockholm Archipelago: Book Review (22 May 2008)

The Baltic Sea (10 Feb 2006)

Related News

European Black Water Regulations (22 Nov 2009)

Reminder of the Effect of the Schengen Regulations (06 Sep 2009)

Successful US-owned Boat Builder in China is the first Sponsor of the Month for 2007 (29 Jan 2007)

Dockwise Yacht Transport Launches Super Ship (26 Jan 2007)

EU extends VAT grace period for non-EU boats to 18 months (12 Aug 2001)