Sailing away with …

Welcome to the Fyn Archipelago, the ultimate cruise region off the Danish coast. From the water here, you can view delightful sandy beaches backed by expanses of old beech woods, steep cliffs and stretches of green meadows, and mansions and villas built right next to the sea. Hundreds of islands, coves, bays, sounds, sandbanks, runs and belts, dappled with white sails and providing all kinds of delightful places to moor.

If you would like to experience all this and more, and if you are itching to go sailing under canvas and feel the breath of history on an old schooner or ketch, contact the Maritime Centre to book a holiday with a difference or a wonderful day-trip on the water.

No sailing experience required, as the crews are ready to welcome you, your family and/or your company group and guide you on a magnificent voyage. Of course, you are welcome to lend a hand if you wish.

Typical price: A cruise through the South Fyn Archipelago on the ketch Yukon from 27 July through 2 August. Seven days, including meals and accommodation on board: DKK 5,400 per person.

Contact Maritimt Center Charter on +45 5150 4669 or visit www.maritimtcenter.dk and click “Ferie til søs” (Holidays at Sea) for details.

 

Day trips on old sailing ships depart from a number of harbours around Fyn, giving you the opportunity to spend a couple of hours on the waves. The activities vary, and include seal safaris, island tours and much more besides. Trips are run from the following harbours on Fyn:

Bogense: Sailing trips to the islands of Samsø, Tunø, Juelsminde and more. The trips are sailed on the M/S Castor. For details, see the “Aktiv Ferie” (Active Holidays) section of www.nordfynsturist.dk

Middelfart: Porpoise tours on the ketch Aventura. For details, visit www.middelfartturist.dk

Faaborg: Trips to the island of Avernakø for a short visit, and sunset tours. The trips are sailed on the schooner Meta. For details, call in at www.maritimtcenter.dk and see the “Dagture” (Day Trips) section.

Svendborg: Trips to the island of Skarø for a short visit, sailing on the Svendborg Sound and sunset tours. The trips are sailed on the schooner Meta. For details, call in at www.maritimtcenter.dk and see the “Dagture” (Day Trips) section.

Ærøskøbing: Trips to the island of Drejø for a short visit, and sunset tours. The trips are sailed on the museum ship Mjølner. For details, call in at www.maritimtcenter.dk and see the “Dagture” (Day Trips) section.

Marstal: Trips to the island of Strynø for a short visit, and sunset tours. The trips are sailed on the museum ship Mjølner. For details, call in at www.maritimtcenter.dk and see the “Dagture” (Day Trips) section.

Rudkøbing: Trips to the island of Strynø for a short visit, and sunset tours. The trips are sailed on the museum ship Mjølner. For details, call in at www.maritimtcenter.dk and see the “Dagture” (Day Trips) section.

Sailing smacks have long been used throughout Northern Europe, but are especially common in the South Fyn Archipelago, where they are ideal for navigating around the small islands and fjords. They used to be individually owned and were used for fishery, freight, ferries, smuggling and trade.
 
But what is a sailing smack? It is a small, simple wooden boat, and it takes its name from the Danish word for its rectangular sail. The sail is mounted on a sprit, from the bottom of the mast. The boat has between one and three masts, and is typically 16 - 17 feet long with room for 3 - 4 people.
 
The boat is the perfect vessel for admiring the South Fyn Archipelago at first hand. You can learn about the history of the boat at the Sailing Smack Centre.

If you like a physical challenge and want to meet nature on its own terms, then you should try a holiday with a sea kayak. The sea kayak is a very stable vessel, built on traditional principles from Greenland. Modern sea kayaks are made from fibreglass and plastic. You can sail through high waves without getting wet, and this means that kayaks are suitable from early spring until late autumn.
 
Many of the waters around Fyn are perfect for sea kayaks as they are designated as "smooth waters". There are lots of beautiful areas to explore within short and manageable distances. You can gently move from one place to the next between the inhabited and uninhabited islands. Ærø in particular has been called the Mecca for sea kayaks, due to the many facilities and the sea around the island. Sea kayaks are for both adults and children.
 
There are campsites from the very basic to the most luxurious. If you are worried about your luggage, then look at luggage transport.
 
Using the oars in a kayak is as easy as skiing; it is just a matter of balance, rhythm and individual performance. Instruction is available on Ærø, and there is a one week course in the art, run by an experienced trainer. Another reason for the popularity of sea kayaks on Ærø is that Marstal is hosting the Danish Championships on July 21, 2001.

There are ferry connections to most of the 25 inhabited islands of the South Fyn Archipelago. The islands offer a wealth of adventure; each with its own attractions, nature and history.
On some of the ferries you can take your car, but for most of the islands this is totally unnecessary. The best way to explore is on a bike or by foot.
And remember that despite the wonderful bridge connections we have, you can still arrive on Fyn by boat.

Sailors who visit Fyn return because of the wealth of opportunities the varied geography provides. You will be constantly surprised by the waters around Fyn, which always have something new to offer just around the next head or island. Then there are the bustling marinas, frequented regularly by the thousands who choose to sail in Fyn waters. In all, Fyn has something extra to offer sailors. As well as the usual freedom and fresh air, you can chose to sail with the wind or against it, and take trips of any length.
 
In fact, Fyn can offer whatever kind of waters or coasts you want. To the east is the rapidly flowing Little Belt, with its beautiful shores on both sides. To the west you can meet the big coasters on the Great Belt, and sail under the Great Belt Bridge. To the south is the archipelago, and to the north, open seas. So, you have every choice imaginable.
 
Then, many choose to join in the Round Fyn trip, which takes 4-5 days. There are also yacht races. 
 

A dinghy with an outboard motor is the perfect way to enjoy full freedom of the seas, whether you want to fish in deeper water or just have fun with the family swimming off the boat.
 
It is a good way to get around, and there is plenty to see. As only 25 of the 90 islands are inhabited, there are plenty of "treasure islands" where you can act out your own adventures. You can also sail into bays or find beaches that are difficult to access on foot.
Some of the holiday homes for hire also have a boat.
 
Please keep safety in mind when out at sea. Always check the weather forecast before setting out, and always tell someone that you are going, and where. For more information, see Safety advice for water sports, Søsportens Sikkerhedsråd.
 
If you do not have your own boat, you can hire one here. Please note that as from June 1, 2000, speedboat drivers are required to take a test which includes the rules of navigation. If you drive a speedboat without having taken this test, you may incur a fine of around DKK 2,000.
The regulations are available at Danish Maritime Authority. 
 
Protected areas
Map of protected areas:
gis.fyns-amt.dk/...
 
Ramsar areas (bird protection) :
Natura 2000 in Denmark

If you prefer calmer waters than the sea, why not go out with your family and friends in a rowing boat or canoe? The river Odense Å and Svendborg Sound are especially good places for this.
 
There are water cycles on the river at Brobyværk, and rowing boats and canoes for hire in Odense at Aafarten. Short outings in rowing boats are charged by the hour. Canoes are hired by the day. You could take an exciting trip of around 15 kms past Odense Zoo, Eventyrparken, the Botanical Gardens and the meadows at Åsum. This trip combines nature and culture.
 
From Kerteminde you can take a round trip in a canoe on Kerteminde Fjord and Kertinge Bay. This is a trip through open expanses of clear water, with a rich bird life, passing unspoilt woodlands, farms, Munkebo and the Viking Burial Ship at Ladby.

For more information, see the page maritime attractions.

Fyn is ideal for windsurfers too, and perfect wind conditions can be found just a short drive away wherever you are staying because the island is round. In fact wherever you are on Fyn, it is never more than an hour to the coast.
 
The conditions on Fyn are such that the intervals between waves are much less (3-4 m) than on, for example, the west coast of Jutland. However, the waves are not so high. The predominant wind in the summer is westerly to south-westerly, although in the last couple of years south-easterlies have become more common.
 
There are the right conditions on Fyn for surfers with any level of experience. If you are experienced and want a strong wind, then the best places to go, both for wind and waves, are around Bogense in the north and Bagenkop and Ristinge in the south. If you are a beginner and want to surf on calm waters, we recommend Gambjorg Fjord and the South Fyn Archipelago at Faaborg as well as the cove on Fynshoved.