Publication date: 05/20/2026
Port Adhoc is a European marina network with facilities in Sweden, France, the Netherlands and Germany. In Stockholm, we operate Svinninge Marina in Åkersberga and Gåshaga Marina on Lidingö. We understand what boat owners in the Stockholm region are actually looking for when searching for a home marina, and this guide is our overview of the key things to consider.
Finding a berth in Stockholm: what many people don’t realise
One of the most common surprises for new boat owners in Stockholm is that finding a berth close to home is not always straightforward. Stockholm is one of Europe’s most boat-dense cities, and demand for good locations is high. Many people buying their first boat assume they will quickly sort out a berth, only to discover that options are fewer and waiting lists are longer than expected.
One of the most common misconceptions is that your berth needs to be as close to home as possible. In reality, the choice is more about what the marina or yacht club actually offers: how good the on-site services are, how easy launching and hauling out is, and how accessible the archipelago is from the marina. Many experienced boat owners choose their home marina based on those factors rather than simply on driving distance.
Yacht club: community, but with commitments
A yacht club is a non-profit association where you pay a membership fee in exchange for access to a berth and the club’s shared facilities. It can be a cost-effective option, and for many people the sense of community is a major benefit.
However, there are conditions attached. Work duties are common, meaning you are expected to contribute a certain number of hours each year to communal tasks such as pontoon repairs, maintenance days, launching operations and night watch shifts. Launching and hauling out are often organised on fixed dates, meaning you adapt to the club’s calendar rather than your own. For anyone with a busy schedule, this can become frustrating. Waiting lists for popular yacht clubs in Stockholm can also be long.
Marina: freedom and full service
A private marina offers something different: you are a customer, not a member. You pay for your berth and decide for yourself when your season starts and ends, without mandatory work duties or communal schedules. This flexibility is highly valued by many boat owners, especially those with irregular schedules or who want to extend the season at both ends.
A marina often provides a complete on-site service ecosystem, making it easy to get help with everything from engine servicing and rigging to GRP repairs and marine electronics, all within walking distance. It is the kind of reassurance that is difficult to put a price on, but immediately appreciated when something needs attention.
Tynningö Island in Sweden
Svinninge Marina and Gåshaga Marina: Why they make attractive home marinas
Our two marinas in the Stockholm region each offer a distinct style of boating life, and both have strong reasons to become your home marina.
Svinninge Marina
Svinninge Marina is located in Åkersberga, around 40 minutes north of Stockholm via the E18, at the gateway to the northern archipelago. It is one of the larger marina facilities in the region, and that is reflected in the breadth of services available. DIY work is permitted, and within walking distance you will find authorised engine workshops for Volvo Penta, Yanmar and Mercury, a rigging workshop with chandlery, GRP and hull repair specialists, marine electricians and a mobile boat care company that comes directly to your boat.
👉 You decide how much work you want to do yourself and what you prefer to outsource to marine professionals – a freedom appreciated by owners who enjoy being hands-on.
Svinninge also offers ice-free winter berths afloat, a modern hull-cleaning station and XRF testing of antifouling paint for owners who need documentation proving compliance with current environmental regulations. All boats stored ashore during winter are placed with a safety zone around each storage position, allowing your boat to be launched independently of neighbouring boats. You decide when your season begins.
Unlike a yacht club, where you often wait years for a place and are then expected to remain, we allow you to choose the arrangement that best suits your summer season. Our summer contract is a 7-month seasonal agreement running from 1 April to 31 October, ideal for owners who want their berth ready throughout the season. The contract includes free parking, electricity and fresh water on all pontoons, toilets, showers, changing rooms and laundry facilities, as well as waste disposal and environmental recycling stations. You also benefit from discounts on marina services such as hull cleaning, lifting operations and guest berths, plus access to our loyalty programme.
💡 Planning a longer cruise, recently bought your first boat and want to test how much you actually use it, or only spending part of the summer in Stockholm? We now also offer Summerdeal: a 3-month contract where you choose the months that suit you best. Both options are available at Svinninge Marina and Gåshaga Marina.
Gåshaga Marina
Gåshaga Marina is located on Lidingö, 20 minutes from Stockholm, with direct access to the archipelago. Gåshaga is a full-service marina where our own yard team handles all maintenance work.
👉 DIY work is not permitted at Gåshaga, and that is exactly the point: you book in your boat and we ensure everything is ready, from spring servicing and engine checks to having your boat prepared at the pontoon when you arrive.
The marine workshop at Gåshaga is certified under the “Godkänd Marinverkstad” standard, a quality certification developed by Sweboat that guarantees strict requirements regarding procedures, staff competence and customer satisfaction. We were the first marina in Sweden to receive this certification. At Gåshaga you will also find authorised service for Volvo Penta, Yanmar and Mercury, marine electronics specialists and GRP repair services.
Summer dry storage: an alternative many people don’t know about
With us, you also have the option of keeping your boat ashore during the summer season. Summer dry storage is a smart solution for owners who use their boat less frequently. Your boat remains secure when not in use, you avoid the ongoing maintenance associated with keeping it afloat, and the need for antifouling paint is reduced or eliminated entirely. Simply call us before you want to head out, and we will ensure your boat is ready at the pontoon when you arrive, sometimes within the hour.
Things to consider before choosing a berth in Stockholm
There are several important questions worth asking before making your decision.
👉 How often do you use your boat?
Someone boating every weekend has different needs from someone using their boat only a few times a month. Summer dry storage with launch-on-demand may suit owners who do not want the maintenance associated with constant water berthing.
👉 Do you want to handle maintenance yourself?
At Svinninge, DIY work is permitted and marine professionals are available within walking distance. At Gåshaga, we take care of everything for you. Neither option is objectively better, it simply depends on what you prefer.
👉 How important is flexibility?
A marina gives you the freedom to launch and haul out whenever it suits you. A yacht club operates on fixed schedules and work obligations. For people with busy lives, that is often the deciding factor.
👉 How quickly do you want to reach the archipelago?
It is a question rarely asked, but one you notice on every trip. Many marinas around Stockholm require a long journey before you actually reach areas with islands, anchorages and guest harbours. Both Svinninge and Gåshaga are known for offering rapid access – you are out in the archipelago immediately. For anyone wanting to maximise time at sea rather than in shipping channels, it is a difference you feel season after season.
Frequently asked questions about berths in Stockholm
Is it difficult to find a berth in Stockholm?
It can be more challenging than many people expect. Demand is high and popular locations often have long waiting lists. Many new boat owners underestimate the process and start searching too late. Our advice is to begin exploring options before buying your boat, and to think slightly more broadly geographically than just the immediate local area.
What is the difference between a marina and a yacht club?
At a yacht club, you are a member of a non-profit association, which usually involves work duties, night watch shifts and communal launch days. At a marina, you are a customer and decide for yourself when your season starts and ends, without club obligations.
Which marinas are close to Stockholm?
The two Port Adhoc marinas in the Stockholm region are Svinninge Marina in Åkersberga, 40 minutes north of Stockholm, and Gåshaga Marina on Lidingö, 20 minutes from Stockholm. Both offer summer and winter berths as well as a full range of marine services.
Do I need to do work duties or night watch at a marina?
No. At a marina such as Svinninge Marina or Gåshaga Marina, there are no mandatory work duties or night watch shifts. You pay for your berth and decide how to use your time. It is one of the clearest differences compared with a traditional yacht club.
Can I book a berth for only part of the season?
You do not need to commit to the full season. In addition to the standard 7-month seasonal contract running from 1 April to 31 October, we also offer Summerdeal: a 3-month contract where you choose the months that suit you best. It is ideal if you want to try marina life, have recently bought your first boat, or plan to spend part of the season away. Summerdeal is available at both Svinninge Marina and Gåshaga Marina.
Can I store my boat at the marina during winter?
Yes. At Svinninge we offer outdoor storage, indoor storage and ice-free winter berths afloat. At Gåshaga we offer indoor storage in insulated or heated halls as well as outdoor dry storage ashore.
How do I find the right berth in Stockholm for my boat size?
It depends on your boat’s length, beam and draught. At Port Adhoc, we handle boats of all sizes, up to 20 tonnes at Svinninge and up to 40 tonnes at Gåshaga. Request a quote with your boat’s dimensions and we will help you find the right solution.
