CRUISING NORWAY

Norway is an attractive cruising ground for sailors, with 63,000 miles of coastline and 50,000 islands to explore. The west coast offers sheltered conditions due to the islands, rocks and skerries which protect yachts from ocean swell. There are a handful of short sea passages which do need to be given similar planning considerations to Portland Bill. These include Stadtlandet, Hustadvika and the open stretch between Stavanger and Egersund. The south and east coast of Norway is very popular, with fewer cruising yachts visiting the northern part of the country. There are more marinas in the south although new marinas are opening up elsewhere. There is mooring available for yachts in most ports. Be aware that many facilities at port or marinas, such as showers and water, are closed over the winter. There are also plenty of jetties, although check with the owners as many are privately owned. Anchoring is free everywhere.

When planning your cruise, pay close attention to the weather and your navigation. Make sure you have local charts of the areas you intend to cruise. Many of the navigation marks are a cairn or metal stake as well as other types of marks, lights and lighthouses. The fjords are deep so plan ahead to find a quay or pontoon for the end of the day. Weather information can be obtained from www.yr.no, the joint online weather service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. A courtesy flag must be flown when cruising Norway.