Rügen

Germany's largest island shows sailors two very different faces. To the west and south lie the wide, sheltered Bodden lagoons with calm shallow water and quiet natural scenery, while to the north and east the open Baltic Sea unfolds with the world-famous chalk cliffs of Jasmund. This variety makes Rügen one of the most varied sailing areas of the southern Baltic – from relaxed Bodden-hopping to rounding Cape Arkona, there's something for every taste.

Coming from Stralsund, the Wasserwanderrastplatz Altefähr lies directly opposite the Hanseatic town and makes a good first stop. Further into the Rügischer Bodden, quiet natural harbours await, such as im-jaich Naturhafen Gustow, the Sportboothafen Glewitz, and the harbours around Lauterbach near the circular town of Putbus. Heading north, the route continues via Schaprode – the classic departure point for the neighbouring island of Hiddensee – on to Wiek and Breege in the Schaproder Bodden.

Anyone wanting to explore the open Baltic side will find in Sassnitz a deep-water harbour with good infrastructure and ferry connections to Sweden – an ideal starting point for a trip to the chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park. To the north lie Glowe and Lohme, from where it's not far to the Cape Arkona lighthouse. In the southeast, on the Mönchgut peninsula, Baabe, Thiessow and Marina Gager invite you to linger.

Anyone sailing the Bodden should keep an eye on water depth: large areas are shallow, so it's essential to stick closely to the marked fairways. On the open Baltic side, especially around Cape Arkona, current and swell can build up quickly – careful weather planning pays off here. Rügen is at its most impressive when both sides are combined: calm days in the Bodden and a trip out to the chalk cliffs.