Spotguide for Ostholstein and the Bay of Lübeck: The best windsurfing spots between Dazendorf and Pelzerhaken

For many water sports enthusiasts from the Lübeck and Hamburg conurbations, a trip to the Ostholstein region is nothing out of the ordinary; after all, the spots between Heiligenhafen and Niendorf are within easy reach, even for a session after work. For water sports enthusiasts visiting Schleswig-Holstein on holiday, the Ostholstein region is usually overshadowed by Fehmarn. But why? On objective reflection, the Ostholstein region is by no means inferior to destinations such as Rügen and Fehmarn hide.

Between Dazendorf and Niendorf in the Bay of Lübeck, there are numerous spots, some of which are completely different in character. Within just a few kilometres, you’ll find everything from perfect flat water to bump-and-jump spots and powerful Baltic Sea waves. The northern part of the region in particular, with the top spots of Heiligenhafen and Großenbrode, scores highly for its high probability of wind, as both easterly and westerly wind conditions work well here. What’s more, East Holstein offers an excellent infrastructure for water sports enthusiasts – not only are the spots strung together like a string of pearls, but there are also campsites, accommodation and surf schools.

From flat water straight into the waves – in some cases, you can even do this at the same spot.

​As is typical on the North Sea and Baltic coasts, however, you do need to be fairly flexible in order to adapt to changing weather and wind conditions. But we’ve also got a few tips in this spot guide for those who prefer to stay in one place.

The best windsurfing spots in Lübeck Bay and East Holstein

Key to the symbols

1. Blank Corner

54.3533, 10.8680

Tucked away on the cliffs between Weissenhaus and Heiligenhafen, right next to the Putlos military training area, lies the secluded spot known as Blank-Eck. There is no public car park; you can access the spot via the campsite, from where you can enjoy a lovely view across the bay in places. The spot works well in south-westerly winds coming from the left. Access via the pebble beach is easy, and the small stone groynes do not cause any problems. Out on the water, you’ll find typical bump-and-jump conditions. A west-south-westerly wind is still rideable; this even creates a small surf wave, though it’s more moderate than in Dazendorf. If the wind shifts further to the west or north-west, it becomes increasingly impossible to pick up speed between the groynes and in the wind shadow. Even though Blank-Eck is certainly not the region’s top spot, you can still spend relaxing days here at the campsite – provided there aren’t any shooting exercises taking place. A north-easterly wind is also rideable here.

2. Dazendorf

54.3707, 10.9136

The route to Dazendorf follows narrow paths to a small beach car park. There is a height restriction at this car park (1.80 metres). If you’re driving a larger vehicle, park before the final bend, about 300 metres from the beach, and walk down to the water from there. A south-westerly wind blows sideshore from the left here, creating bump-and-jump conditions and sometimes a mini swell near the shore. When the wind is blowing from the west-south-west to west, ‘Daze’ becomes a good wave spot, which can sometimes produce head-high waves, allowing for jumps and powerful turns, but it’s also challenging: there are a few rocks lurking near the shore. The shorebreak has an appetite and likes to devour masts for breakfast – as a wave novice, you’ll definitely have a much more relaxed time surfing in Heiligenhafen when the wind is from the west.

3. Heiligenhafen

54.3814, 10.9582

Perhaps the best multi-spot in Schleswig-Holstein! The meeting point for the surfing scene is the car park at Steinwarder. When the wind is blowing from the west to the north-west, you have two options here: on the north side of the headland, you can enjoy a moderate wave spot. You enter the water via the sand; from 20 knots onwards, the first waves roll gently into the bay and break on the offshore sandbanks. The great thing is that there’s no disruptive shorebreak, so you can pick up speed in peace and catapult yourself over the first ramp further out. There’s hardly a better spot for learning jumps, loops or wave riding. Between the waves, the water remains quite smooth – ideal for freestyling or manoeuvres. In the bay, the waves roll in gently; even in stormy conditions, they rarely rise higher than 1.5 metres. The surf off the western shore reinforcement has a bit more power: here, however, the waves break just before the rocks and the seabed is also stony. When there’s a pure westerly wind, the bay is somewhat sheltered by the headland to windward; in that case, you can alternatively launch from the DLRG tower and surf to windward of the small jetty, where the wind blows in more freely.

In recent years, the town of Heiligenhafen has also carried out a major redevelopment of the inland lake. Instead of a scree-strewn wasteland, there is now a fine sandy beach, dunes and even playgrounds. This means that in ‘Halli’ you can, so to speak, walk straight from the waves onto the shallows. There’s a bit of standing water along the shore, which gets wider towards the harbour, meaning even less experienced windsurfers can practise in complete safety. In any case, with westerly to north-westerly winds, it’s better to head further downwind, as the buildings at the western end cause the wind to become gusty. Good launch spots for a session on the inland lake can be found between the well-stocked Heiligenhafen water sports centre and the harbour. Halli is also worth a visit when the wind is blowing from the east to the north-east. Then the wind blows from the right, and the chop remains small.

Away from the water, you’ll find everything you need right here. There’s a wide range of restaurants, cafés and bars around the harbour. You’ll also find plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation and motorhome pitches.

4. Orthmühle

54.3692, 11.0134

This somewhat forgotten spot, not far east of Heiligenhafen, has been put back on the map by the foil trend. You can park along Lütjenbroder Weg, right at the kerb. It’s then just a few metres to the water’s edge. The small gravel outcrop is a good launch point; the shallow area ends after just a few metres. Unlike the spots in Heiligenhafen, you’re sheltered from the waves here, yet still have more space than on the inland lake. The spot is perfect for freeriding, freestyle and, of course, foiling. Winds from west-north-west to north-west (sideshore from the left) are ideal, but easterly winds also blow in freely and consistently. There are lots of boats in the shipping channel in summer, so it’s best to keep your distance here. The same applies to the opposite bank, known as Graswarder. This is a nature reserve, so you shouldn’t get too close to it.

5. Großenbrode

54.3543, 11.0809

Alongside Heiligenhafen, Großenbrode can be described as the region’s top multi-spot. Its exposed location ensures excellent wind conditions, and the spot itself is well worth a visit in both westerly and easterly winds. Großenbrode has a long jetty that divides the spot into two areas: on the inland lake, you can sometimes ride on perfect flat water, whilst the Baltic Sea side, depending on the wind direction, can be a great spot for waves or bump & jump. When there’s a strong westerly to north-westerly wind, the wind blows at a right angle and yet surprisingly evenly across the stone jetty. On the Baltic Sea side, a perfect speed and freestyle spot unfolds! The only drawback: the wind is offshore, with the nearest stretch of land a good 80 kilometres away. On the inland lake, to windward of the jetty, surfing is safer; however, conditions can get a bit choppier around the stone jetty itself.

When the wind is from the east, the conditions change completely: you’ll then find top-notch flat water right behind the pier, on the inland lake. You’ll be sharing the spot with numerous kiters and wingfoilers. Watch out, too, for the boats passing by on their way to the harbour. The launch point is at the northern end of the inland lake and is partly stony. When there is a strong easterly wind, the windward side of Großenbrode turns into a decent wave spot. However, the wind window is quite small: if the wind blows too strongly from the north-east, the eastern tip of Fehmarn blocks the waves. If the wind is too easterly, it blows directly onshore. An east-north-easterly direction is therefore ideal. You then enter the water over sand near the Großenbrode water sports school; car parks are available. The wave breaks over the offshore sandbanks and can reach head-high during a storm. Keep an eye out for the small groynes. Further downwind lies the long jetty, which beginners should steer clear of. In summer, don’t forget your seaweed fin!

6. Dahmeshöved

54.1980, 11.0916

Ever since the parking situation has deteriorated drastically, ‘Dahme’ has fallen out of favour. It’s a shame, because the spot by the lighthouse is one of East Holstein’s hidden gems. Coming from the village, you follow Leuchtturmstraße; you now have to park illegally at the side of the road. Take care when entering the water at the small headland; the shore is stony and there are remnants of groynes. The conditions are fantastic with a strong north-north-easterly to north-easterly wind. This whips up a proper swell, which breaks cleanly over the offshore shoals and rolls gently out into the bay. Here you can pick up speed at your leisure and launch yourself into the air. Dahme is a lovely and largely safe spot for both jumping and warming up. The only thing to watch out for is the strong current around the headland.

A north wind is also suitable for surfing, although the wind shadow in the bay does become increasingly pronounced. Alternatively, you can set off from Kellenhusen (North car park) and tack a few long runs towards Dahme. You can also avoid the parking issues by parking at the Leuchtturmstraße car park on the southern outskirts of the village. Here, with a north-easterly wind blowing diagonally onshore, the wave also allows for jumps and wave rides – though the wave breaks less cleanly and the stony shore isn’t exactly inviting.

7. Kellenhusen

54.1851, 11.0569

The car park on Zeltplatzweg fills up quickly when the forecast is good; in that case, you can use the one by the jetty a little further north. The surf crowd mainly comes here on days with strong north-easterly to east-north-easterly winds. ‘Kelle’ offers wave conditions just as good as Dahme; in strong winds, the wave breaks over several sandbanks, allowing for both jumps and wave rides. Below 25 knots, conditions are usually easy, ranging from bump & jump to moderate surf, which even wave novices can master without any trouble. When launching in front of the water sports school, however, be sure to keep an eye on the groynes! These also mean that more seaweed accumulates here than elsewhere. If the wind shifts to the north-east, the pier blocks the wind near the shore, in which case Dahme is a better option. South to south-westerly winds are also good for surfing here, offering relaxed ‘bump & jump’ conditions with the wind coming from the right.

8. Grömitz

54.1377, 10.9481

The beach faces more west-east than those at Dahme or Kellenhusen, which means you can still find decent conditions even with a west-south-westerly wind. The wind then blows diagonally offshore from the right, creating relaxed flat-water and foil conditions on the water. If the wind shifts more towards the south, the scene changes to a bump-and-jump spot; with easterly winds, it’s time to get the wave gear out. An east-north-easterly wind is ideal for wave surfing. These winds push solid waves towards the shore, which you can ride directly to windward of the harbour. That’s where the water sports centre is located. With an oblique onshore wind from the left, there’s a small standing area to start with, whilst further out there are good ramps to be found. Just keep an eye out for the harbour piers downwind! The town also offers options for an after-work drink or a meal at a restaurant with a sea view. There are car parks around the marina, but these fill up quickly during the peak season. Alternatively, check out the Königsredder car park.

9. Pelzerhaken

54.0883, 10.8741

It’s no coincidence that the surf festival has been held here for years – Pelzerhaken offers a wide wind range and is still rideable even in a pure westerly wind. Of course, in such conditions, it’s flat water with small chop. ‘Pelze’ offers a large standing area where even novice windsurfers can practise safely in all wind directions. In strong westerly winds, the water beneath the fin can sometimes run low over the sandbanks. Conversely, easterly winds push the water into Lübeck Bay. Even then, conditions near the shore remain calm with small chop, whilst further out moderate waves roll over the sandbank – waves that do not become particularly powerful or steep, even with strong east-north-easterly to north-easterly winds. You can park to the east of the lighthouse, where there is also a motorhome site and the ‘Surf & Sail’ water sports centre. Heading towards Neustadt, there are numerous accommodation options, campsites and places to eat, making Pelze a great base for a longer stay – and not just because of the fantastic conditions at the spot.

10. Scharbeutz/Haffkrug

54.0451, 10.7496

Deep in the Bay of Lübeck lies Scharbeutz, a spot that can serve as an alternative to Kellenhusen and the like when there are strong winds from the east to north-east. However, due to its location, the wind here is often lighter than further north. The main beach around the pier is lovely: with fine sand and easy access to the water. A north wind blows sideshore from the left, in which case the chop remains small. If it shifts to the north-east, the waves get bigger and break over the offshore sandbanks. However, the angle isn’t ideal for jumping and riding then, as the wind is relatively onshore. Alternatively, with a similar set-up, you can head further south to Timmendorfer Strand. The best place to get out on the water here is south of the Ostsee-Therme, where the surf school is also located. As the beach and surf zone are packed with bathers in high summer, both here and in Scharbeutz, the area around the Haffkrug surf school can be a good alternative. Here, when the wind is north-easterly, you launch from behind a small jetty; the shallow water area makes launching easier. A south-easterly wind around Scharbeutz also works well for freeriding right through to bump & jump.

11. Niendorf

53.9906, 10.8128

Coming from Hamburg, Niendorf is often the go-to spot for an after-work surf. An easterly wind comes in from the east of the harbour, sideshore from the right, and you enter the water via fine sand. The standing area is small, which means you can get out onto the water quickly here, even with a foil. Depending on the wind strength, the chop remains moderate; with a strong easterly wind, small surf waves can also roll in near the shore. Next to the pier, at the eastern end of the village, is the Niendorf Surf School. If the wind shifts to east-northeast, you can alternatively head out west of the harbour, where the harbour breakwater partially blocks the waves. Parking can be tricky during the high season. Options include the ‘Harbour car park’ and the ‘Bird Park car park’ on the B76, from which it’s about a 400-metre walk to both entry points.

Spot information: Lübeck Bay/East Holstein

Getting here

The Ostholstein region stretches north from Lübeck as far as Fehmarn and is easily accessible via the A1 motorway. The holiday resorts of Heiligenhafen and Großenbrode are ideal as permanent bases, as they offer the best wind conditions in the region and, on top of that, cater for a wide range of wind directions. All other spots can be reached from here within 30 to 45 minutes by car.

Accommodation & Camping

The east coast of Schleswig-Holstein is one of Germany’s best-developed tourist regions. From upmarket hotels to holiday flats, there are plenty of options available on the usual online booking platforms. Anyone planning to visit during the summer holidays should book well in advance.

There are also various options for anyone planning a trip in a campervan or motorhome. Wild camping is prohibited and is therefore not an option. That’s not necessary anyway, as the region offers numerous campsites. Here is a selection of sites near the spot:

• Blank-Eck campingblank-eck.de
• Heiligenhafen Motorhome pitch on Eichholzweg (04362-503411) motorhome-parking-heiligenhafen.de bretterbude-hhf.de
• Dahmeshöved rosenfelder-strand.de zedano.de ankerplatz-dahme.com
• Großenbrode camping-seekamp.de
• Kellenhusen campingparadies-kellenhusen.de
• Grömitz camping-groemitz.de porta-del-sol.de groemitz.de/campingplatz-sonnenland campingland-ostsee.de
• Pelzerhaken camping-ostsee.de campingplatz-lotsenhaus.de campingplatz-ostsee.de motorhome-parking-baltic-sea.de campingplatz-elfenschlucht.de
• Scharbeutz womohafen-scharbeutzer-strand.de ferienpark-scharbeutz.de/stellplaetze ostseecamping-seepferdchen.de camping-neptun.de
• Niendorf Motorhome pitch: Häven 6, 23626 Ratekau (no website)

Wind, Weather & Wetsuits

Whether the wind is blowing from the east or the west, East Holstein delivers! The area around the Fehmarn Sound (the strait between the mainland and Fehmarn) clearly has the best wind statistics. Due to its exposed location and the local wind amplification in the strait, the wind often blows stronger in Heiligenhafen and Großenbrode than at the spots further south. When low-pressure systems pass through with winds from the south-west to north-west, the west and north coasts from Blank-Eck to Großenbrode are the best places to head for. The east coast is then largely covered. East winds, which occur more frequently in spring and early summer, however, shift the focus to the spots on the east coast of East Holstein.

• ​Wind Special: The easterly wind over the Baltic Sea

In summer, given air and water temperatures of around 20 degrees, a 4/3 wetsuit is sufficient; in the transition period, a warm 5/3 wetsuit and possibly a hood should be packed. At some spots, it’s a good idea to wear shoes even in summer, as the ground isn’t sandy everywhere. Relevant wind forecasts via windfinder.de, windguru.com and windy.com. The Danish forecast is very reliable: app.fcoo.dk/ifm-maps.

Surf schools

There are surf schools at almost every spot; they often offer wing foiling and SUP as well as windsurfing. The focus is usually on teaching beginners. If you’d like to hire small funboards, you should check what’s on offer on their websites beforehand.

• Heiligenhafen wassersportcenter-heiligenhafen.de
• Großenbrode watersports4all.de
• Dahmeshöved surfschule-dahme.de
• Kellenhusen wassersport-kellenhusen.de
• Grömitz wassersport-groemitz.de
• Pelzerhaken sailandsurf.de surfschule-pelzerhaken.de
• Scharbeutz/Haffkrug surfschule-haffkrug.de surfschule-timmendorf.de
• Timmendorfer Strand surfschule-timmendorf.de
• Niendorf surfschule-niendorf-ostsee.de

Shops

If you need replacement materials, the best place to get them is:

• Lübeck Surf Centre surf-center.de
• Fehmarn Surf Shop surfshopfehmarn.de
• Windsport Fehmarn windsport.de

Alternative programme

Even on windless days, there’s never a dull moment here. Lübeck’s old town is always well worth a visit. Those who can’t do without a bit of action will find what they’re looking for in Weissenhäuser Strand (weissenhaeuserstrand.de) and Scharbeutz (ostseetherme.de) large thermal spas and water parks. Hansapark (hansapark.de) is sure to give you quite a few adrenaline rushes.

Good to know

From June right through to late autumn, a seagrass fin is an essential piece of kit.

• ​Freeride, wave, freestyle: How to find the right Seegras fin