Segeltur genom Oderlagunen - Szczecin Lagoon

We have experienced a wonderful sailing trip through the Oder Lagoon, which is located on the border between Germany and Poland, near the Baltic Sea. The destination of the sailing trip was the city of Szczecin in Poland, which we will soon tell you more about.

Table of contents

Skipper's meeting in the South Coast Baltic Boating Rally

We are participating in an international sailing trip called South Coast Baltic Boating Rallywith around 100 participants from seven countries, in 28 boats. We docked in Swinoujscie, Poland, and started with a day of cycling on the sea. island of Usedom. In the evening it was time for the skippers to get together to discuss the route and guidelines for the next day's sailing, known as a 'skippers' meeting'. Where was the meeting held? In a bunch of beach chairs of course!

Oder lagoons

The next day's sailing went through the Oder Lagoon, or "Szczecin Lagoon" as the lagoon is called in English. This body of water, located between Germany and Poland, looks like a lagoon, but is perhaps more correctly called a 'haff'. A haff is a bay of brackish water, separated from the sea by islands or a narrow tongue of land.

The Oder Lagoon covers around 635 square kilometres and has an average depth of 4 metres. In the eastern part, called Grosses Haff, the river Oder flows. Between the Oder Lagoon and the Baltic Sea are the islands of Usedom and Wolin and three straits connecting the lagoon to the sea: Peenestrom, Świna and Dziwna.

Piast Canal - Canals Imperial Cruise

Since 1880 the Piast Canal, or the Kaiserfahrt Canal as it is also known, has existed. This is a waterway that connects the lagoon with the sea. Thanks to this canal, large ships can enter the lagoon and reach the port of Szczecin. The canal is around 12 kilometres long and about 10 metres deep, and was built by the German Empire between 1874 and 1880.

Early departure from Swinoujscie

We started early from the harbour in Swinoujscie to have time to take some photos before we went on to Szczecin. We had a quick coffee before it was time for departure.

kaffe innan avfärd mot Oderlagunen — Peter and our Captain Adam

READ MORE: Things to see and do in Swinoujsie, Poland - 7 tips
READ MORE: Things to do in Gdynia, Poland - our top 9 tips

Short sailing trip off Swinoujscie

We started with a short sail in the "wrong" direction, as the South Coast Baltic Boating Rally wanted a photo of some of the sailboats at the Stawa Młyny lighthouse, which is a famous landmark of Swinoujscie.

Breakfast on board

After the first photo tour, we had a real breakfast before it was time to sail on. We have with us Danish Gita from Bornholm, who conjures up fantastically good meals for us on board.

READ MORE: Life on board the sailing yacht Bavaria c50
READ MORE: Hiring a boat on holiday - in Sweden or abroad

Sailing trip through the Oder Lagoon

We then set off, together with the other 27 boats, through the Oder Lagoon towards Szczecin. At times we had wind and were able to sail, and in between we had to use the engine. A really lovely day with sun and wind in our faces.

Ships, vessels and boats

There are many different types of vessels, ships and boats in the Oder Lagoon. They range from small motorboats to large cargo ships.

The vessel pictured below is pumping out large amounts of water along its side. But what does it actually do, what is its purpose? Does anyone know?

Arriving in Szczecin

After about seven hours of travelling we arrived in the city of Szczecin in Poland, or Stettin as the city is called in German. This is Poland's seventh largest city and right now there are festivities with stalls, lights, music and lots of people in the streets. Great atmosphere!

READ MORE: What to do in Szczecin, Poland - 9 tips

A lovely day in the Oder Lagoon

We really had a fantastic day in the Oder Lagoon. We never cease to be fascinated by how many amazing places there are in the neighbourhood - some of which we've never even heard of before. Had you heard of the Oder Lagoon? Have you visited any of the towns in the area?

READ MORE: Sailing the Baltic Sea - Lithuania, Kaliningrad, Poland, Germany

9 Comments

Add yours →

Ditte says:

Glad that there was some sailing here in Oderlagunen - and hope there will be more.
I have passed through Stettin, but I don't really know anything about the city, and I didn't know anything about the Oder Lagoon and haven't visited the area either.
Wishing you continued nice days with lots of sailing and nice visits ashore.

10 August 2019 - 10:00

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, great fun! Really lovely day on the water! We will tell you more about the city tomorrow!
  
  10 August 2019 - 15:11
  
Ama de casa says:

What lovely sailing pictures! 🙂

Smart with two tables and the aisle free! We had a table in the middle and if you ended up "wrong" at breakfast you had to run and get things most of the time. Haha! No problem really, but much smarter with the solution that the 50 has 🙂.

Keep up the good work!

10 August 2019 - 10:07

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Well, interesting that it was different in your boat! I'll show a little more from the inside later too!
  
  10 August 2019 - 15:12
  
Lisa says:

Some of the places we have at least driven past but when you come from the sea side it is a completely different experience. Hope you do not get such big cities as it is at the North Sea. The ship you asked about we think may be one that picks up bottom mud to make it less shallow. Sailing on looks wonderful and what a hang you are.

10 August 2019 - 16:20

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Ah yes, that could be the case, that the boat picks up bottom sludge. Interesting!
  
  11 August 2019 - 10:25
  
BP says:

As I said yesterday, what gems there are that I have never heard of, and the Oder Lagoon is no exception. Just knew that Oder is a long river;-)

Googled that boat that pumps water and here is the answer to your question:
https://www.cleanerseas.com/hoppe-marine-system-solutions-as-basis-for-smart-shipping/

PS. Thought it was a sailing competition, then you can't "cheat" with the engine;-) DS.

10 August 2019 - 18:46

Comment by post author

Helena says:

Agreed, I didn't know about the Oder Lagoon before either. Fun to discover this area! And many thanks for the link! 🙂 Order rally really brings to mind a competition, but this is more of a joint trip for sailors! 🙂

11 August 2019 - 10:27

Lena - good for the soul says:

Oder lagoon? No, never heard of it. How nice it looks. As long as it does not blow so the boat tilts or rocks, I could also go on such a trip. But it is, to say the least, a little difficult to sail if there is no wind 🙂.

Hug Lena

11 August 2019 - 15:05

Sailing trip through the Oder Lagoon - Szczecin Lagoon

Skipper's meeting in the South Coast Baltic Boating Rally

Oder lagoons

Piast Canal - Canals Imperial Cruise

Early departure from Swinoujscie

Short sailing trip off Swinoujscie

Breakfast on board

Sailing trip through the Oder Lagoon

Ships, vessels and boats

Arriving in Szczecin

A lovely day in the Oder Lagoon

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9 Comments

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Lisa says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

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