Sailing from Ærø
Around 20 to 30 nautical miles across the open Baltic – and suddenly everything is calm: beyond Schleimünde begins the Schlei, the roughly 40-kilometre inlet reaching all the way to Schleswig. For crews berthed with us on Ærø it is the classic destination for a long weekend. Here is what you should know for planning – and, updated every day, whether the crossing works right now.
The assessment comes straight from the Dansk Cottage Segelradar: wind, gusts, waves, visibility and daylight along the whole route.
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Estimated sea routes – calculated schematically from the coastline, without depths or restricted areas.
| Destination | from Søby | from Ærøskøbing | from Marstal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schleimünde | approx. 22 sm | approx. 26 sm | approx. 20 sm |
| Maasholm | approx. 24 sm | approx. 28 sm | approx. 22 sm |
| Kappeln | approx. 26 sm | approx. 31 sm | approx. 24 sm |
| Arnis | approx. 28 sm | approx. 32 sm | approx. 26 sm |
| Lindaunis | approx. 32 sm | approx. 37 sm | approx. 30 sm |
| Schleswig | approx. 43 sm | approx. 47 sm | approx. 41 sm |
Marstal is closest to the Schlei. At 5 knots it takes about four hours to Schleimünde, from Søby and Ærøskøbing half an hour to an hour longer. The passage crosses the open Baltic – with easterly winds the return is often the harder part, so the Segelradar also checks the next 24 hours for the way back.
Schleimünde → Maasholm → Kappeln → Arnis → Schleswig
The pilot island at the mouth: a small island harbour in the middle of nature, run by the association Förderverein naturnaher Wasserwanderplatz Schleimünde. After the storm surge of October 2023 the harbour was rebuilt; the former “Giftbude” will not reopen. Please check berth fees and season dates directly with the association.
from Marstal approx. 20 sm · from Søby approx. 22 sm · from Ærøskøbing approx. 26 smWater depth: no reliable figure found – please ask the associationFishing village just inside the mouth – for many the first harbour in the Schlei and a good stopover if you don't want to go further after the Baltic crossing.
from Marstal approx. 22 sm · from Søby approx. 24 sm · from Ærøskøbing approx. 28 smWater depth: 2–3 m at mean low waterThe harbour town on the Schlei with its herring weir, museum harbour and bascule bridge. If you want to continue up the Schlei, plan around the bridge openings (see below).
from Marstal approx. 24 sm · from Søby approx. 26 sm · from Ærøskøbing approx. 31 smWater depth: 2–3 m at mean low waterGermany's smallest town sits on a peninsula in the Schlei – quiet, with boatyards and small harbours.
from Marstal approx. 26 sm · from Søby approx. 28 sm · from Ærøskøbing approx. 32 smWater depth: 2–3 m at mean low waterAt the end of the Schlei: St. Peter's Cathedral, Gottorf Castle and, across the water, the Viking Museum Haithabu. The way there leads through the Lindaunis bridge – from November to March passage is generally closed; during that period the Segelradar automatically shows Schleswig as not reachable.
from Marstal approx. 41 sm · from Søby approx. 43 sm · from Ærøskøbing approx. 47 smWater depth: 2–3 m at mean low waterFriday: Set off early and sail around 22 nautical miles to Maasholm – or moor at the pilot island of Schleimünde if there is space.
Saturday: A short hop up the Schlei to Kappeln, then through the bridge opening on to Arnis. Time for a stroll through Germany's smallest town.
Sunday: Back towards Ærø – check the Segelradar first to see whether wind and waves suit the return. If not: better stay a day longer in the Schlei.
This is an idea, not a passage plan. Please check harbours, berths and bridge times yourself before departure.
Please check current bridge information before departure. Opening times can change at short notice due to maintenance, construction work or faults.
Kappeln bascule bridge: According to the published schedule the bridge opens from April to October daily from 5:40 am to 9:40 pm, each time 20 minutes before the full hour for about 15 minutes, and from November to March from 7:40 am to 5:40 pm. When closed, the clearance is only about 3.50 metres – for sailing boats with a standing mast that means: wait for the opening.
Lindaunis bridge: The rail and road bridge is being rebuilt. In the 2026 season the temporary passage has opened since 26 March daily at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30 for about 20 minutes each; the speed limit in the passage is 10 km/h. From November to March the construction site is generally closed to shipping – if you want to reach Schleswig in autumn, check beforehand.
Official information (in German): ELWIS – notices to shipping · WSA Ostsee · DB – Lindaunis bridge construction project
Current official raw data from the gauges – strong easterly or westerly winds can raise or lower the water level in the Schlei considerably.
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Dansk Cottage's sailing tips are intended solely as travel inspiration and for general planning. Weather and model data can change at short notice. The information does not replace current official marine weather forecasts, nautical charts, navigation documents, local warnings or the skipper's own judgement.
Please check before every departure: DMI – Farvandsudsigter og varsler · DWD – Seewetterbericht
More about sailing: Segelradar · Island hopping in the Danish South Sea
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