Publication date: 14/11/2025
As part of this article, three crews from the Port Adhoc network agreed to share their sailing experiences. All of them departed from one of our Dutch marinas to reach the Baltic Sea:
- Hans and Éric, owners of the Hallberg-Rassy yachts Joséphine and Marianne, decided to dedicate three weeks to their journey from the Netherlands to Sweden. Their goal: to experience a unique summer adventure and leave their two boats in winter storage in Sweden to later return to Jachthaven Bruinisse the following year via the Swedish Göta Canal.
- Ralf, owner of a Bavaria Cruiser 46 originally moored at Lelystad Haven, sailed his boat to Svinninge Marina for the winter. Captivated by the marina’s welcome and the possibility to extend his experience in the Swedish archipelago, he decided to explore the sailing area a little longer with Autumn Leaves.
- Paul, on the other hand, sails with his family aboard a Dufour 24 based at Jachthaven Bruinisse for five years. He chose to transport his boat by road to Svinninge Marina to “spend a summer sailing elsewhere” and discover the Stockholm archipelago by boat.
Sailing from the Netherlands to Sweden: preparing your trip
While sailing to Sweden is accessible to any experienced sailor, it is a project that requires some preparation.
The best period
Although sailing is possible year-round, we recommend making the journey from the Netherlands to Sweden by boat between June and August. In summer, the winds are steady, and the days are long and bright, making navigation easier and more enjoyable.
Last year, during this period, Paul and his family experienced “incredible luck” with the weather:
“A week with temperatures above 30°C, and the rest of the month between 20 and 26°C, with only a few rainy days. Most of the time, the wind came from the west or southwest at 8 to 12 knots.”
The adventure from an administrative perspective
Administratively, European sailors have few formalities to complete. It is advised to carry all important documents — for the crew as well as the boat: registration certificate or bill of sale, VHF papers, insurance certificate… It may also be necessary to inform your insurance company to ensure coverage in all sailing areas.
From the Netherlands to Sweden: cruise route
Before departure, preparing the route is already part of the journey.
“For us, it’s a pleasure during the winter months!” says Éric. “Before leaving, we carefully studied our charts and guides: publications like the Vaarwijzers, Baltic Coast Pilot, Reeds, and good maps. It was exciting!”
Sailing between Bruinisse and Svinninge marinas can be divided into two main stages:
- The first days, through Dutch inland waters, the Wadden Sea, and the North Sea, up to the Kiel Canal
- Then along the German, Danish, and Swedish coasts, in the Baltic Sea, to the Stockholm archipelago.
Sailing from Bruinisse to the Kiel Canal
To reach Sweden by boat from the Netherlands, the first stage is to reach the Kiel Canal in Germany.
The adventure begins easily from Jachthaven Bruinisse — a Port Adhoc marina in the Zeeland delta. This lively marina, known for its family atmosphere and technical services, is an ideal starting point.
“Leaving Jachthaven Bruinisse and saying goodbye to the marina team was emotional: it was strange to realize that our boats wouldn’t return here for another year!” recalls Hans.
From Jachthaven Bruinisse, sailors often start with short trips. Marina Muiderzand, in Almere — near Amsterdam on the IJmeer — often makes a very good first stop. Éric and Hans recount that they spent their first weekend of the cruise there, benefiting upon arrival from two berths reserved directly by the Port Adhoc teams.
The continuation of the journey from the Netherlands to Sweden offers a sailing route rich in contrasts — both in landscapes and sailing conditions. The route takes sailors across the Markermeer, the IJsselmeer, and then the Wadden Sea. Once in the North Sea, boat owners can enter the Kiel Canal, which opens into the Baltic Sea.
Sailing from the Kiel Canal to Sweden
The journey from the Netherlands to the Baltic Sea continues after passing through the Kiel Canal: along the German coast, sailors often reach Bornholm, a small Danish island with picturesque charm, before following the Swedish coast toward Kalmar and Sandhamn.
Beautiful stops punctuate a rich journey, with each port having its own unique atmosphere.
“On the way to Svinninge, we loved Klintholm, Kåseberga, and Utklippan. Just before arriving, we also discovered wonderful anchorages at Grinda and Finnhamn,” the sailors recount.
Arrival at Svinninge Marina
At the end of the journey, shortly after Stockholm, Svinninge Marina is a privileged arrival point. In the marina surrounded by forests and typically Scandinavian coves, the atmosphere is quieter than in the Netherlands: the port charms with the quality of its services and its tranquility.
Hans explains that the marina mostly hosts regular local sailors: “Swedes park their cars, board with their equipment, and quickly head out to the surrounding islands.”
Éric adds: “We found an efficient welcome at Svinninge, with extremely helpful staff. When we asked if there was a washing machine, the answer was initially no. But brand-new equipment was installed the following week! We greatly appreciated this responsiveness.”
For sailors, arriving at Svinninge marks the end of a long journey, but also the beginning of another adventure: while some plan the return route, others choose to extend their stay in the Stockholm archipelago, leaving their boats in winter storage at Svinninge Marina.
This is where Ralf, owner of the sailboat Autumn Leaves, chose to spend the winter after a season in the archipelago. Loyal to the Port Adhoc network, he recounts having found the same level of attention at Svinninge as in the Dutch marinas of the group.
Transporting your boat from the Netherlands to Sweden by land
Not keen on sailing from the Netherlands to Sweden? No problem!
It is also possible to transport your boat by road. This is what Paul and his family did, choosing to cover the distance from Bruinisse to Svinninge with their Dufour 24 on a trailer:
“We drove for two full days via Hamburg, Odense, Copenhagen, Malmö, Jönköping, Linköping, and Stockholm before arriving at Svinninge — about 1,700 km at an average speed of 85 km/h! Along the way, we slept at motorhome rest areas.”
Upon arrival at Svinninge Marina, Paul and his family were able to easily relaunch their boat and fully enjoy the sailing area.
Regardless of the chosen boat transport method, our advice remains the same: when planning your route and stopovers, anticipate the journey duration! By planning regular sheltered stops, you will truly enjoy the trip.
Sailing from the Netherlands to Sweden: final tips from our owners
Most sailors plan 3 to 4 weeks to reach the Swedish east coast from the Netherlands. The route is long — a little over 1,000 nautical miles!
If you want to make the journey in one go, Éric and Hans advise taking enough time off so that you’re not constantly navigating:
“The trip from the Dutch marinas to Svinninge Marina really takes three weeks, and with all the wonderful destinations, the two weeks we spent around Stockholm could easily have lasted a month.”
Finally, the crews agree on some practical recommendations:
- As with any long journey, properly prepare the boat: check the engine, rigging, equipment, and safety systems
- Allow time buffers: unexpected stopovers can be frequent, especially due to the wind
- Favor well-equipped ports for technical stops or more comfortable nights
- Communicate with Port Adhoc teams: in the network marinas, teams can facilitate reservations, recommend reliable service providers, and organize future winter storage
“Thanks to the flexibility of the different marina offices, we were able to arrange contracts allowing our boats to use the ports at Bruinisse, Almere, and Svinninge,” explains Hans.
Distances from the Netherlands to the Swedish east coast
| Step | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|
| From Bruinisse Marina to Muiderzand Marina (Netherlands) | 120 nautical miles |
| From Jachthaven Muiderzand to Kiel (Germany) | 340 nautical miles |
| From Kiel to Bornholm (Denmark) | 220 nautical miles |
| From Bornholm to Stockholm (Sweden) | 400 nautical miles |
| From Stockholm to Port Adhoc Svinninge | Less than 20 nautical miles |
Would you like to know more about the connections between our different marinas? Interested in details about our leisure ports in Northern Europe and the possibilities to moor your boat there?
Contact our team and bring your project to life!
