Cruise on the Żuławy Loop
Cruise on the Żuławy Loop
We have the largest offer of motor yachts, ideal for charter on the Żuławy Loop. After being accommodated in our marina, picking up the unit, training in its operation and yacht maneuvers - we sail on a cruise along the Żuławy Loop. As a rule, the cruise on the Żuławy Loop takes about seven days.
Voyage plan on the Żuławy Loop
Below, we present you an example of a cruise on the Żuławy Loop divided into days and providing approximate times of passage of the section. The given times assume the average speed of hausbot - such lazy, calm swimming at a speed of not more than 8 km. for an hour.
Saturday: reception of the yacht in the afternoon, cruise on the section Żuławki - Rybina - Osłonka (3h) or Żuławki - Rybina (1h-1.5h)
Sunday: Osłonka - Elbląg - Drużno lake - Elbląg (6h)
Monday: Elbląg - Malbork (4-5h)
Tuesday: Malbork - Biała Góra (3-4h)
Wednesday: Biała Góra - Tczew (2h)
Thursday: Tczew - Gdańsk
Friday: Gdańsk - Drewnica - Żuławki (4h)
Saturday: sentence of the yacht in the morning.
Szkarpawa Cruise to Rybina
From our base in Żuławki, we sail along the Szkarpawa towards Rybina, on the way we pass the reconstructed rampart in the style of Żuławska in Izbiska, a small private marina in Chorążówka, numerous arcaded houses, admire the views and charms of the Vistula Żuławy, full of White Egrets, Gray Herons, Cormorants, Swans. Before Rybina we will see a historic narrow-gauge railway bridge, which is closed for water traffic only for the duration of the queue. After passing the bridge on the left bank there is a marina in Rybin behind the marina is a fork of the trail, the left begins Wisła Królewiecka, which we reach to Sztutów and further to the Vistula Lagoon, right we sail Szkarpawa towards the estuary to the Vistula Lagoon. The Water Junction in Rybina is famous for the historic drawbridges under which the hausboot will not flow. In anticipation of their opening you can moor at the marina in Rybin or at mooring piers located in front of drawbridges.
Drawbridge in Rybina
Please remember that the operators of drawbridges in Rybin treat the yachts moored at the jetties as moored units, not in motion. The operator will come and look around if no units are waiting in front of the bridge, the bridge will not open. While waiting for the drawbridge to open in Rybina, the yachts should move, but it is best to call the bridge and inform them about the intention of crossing under the bridge at a specified time.
Szkarpawa River
After opening the drawbridge, we continue our cruise along the Żuławy Loop, continue on Szkarpawa towards the estuary to the Vistula Lagoon. After crossing about 1 km. on the left bank of the Szkarpawa River there is an entrance to the Tuge river, which we reach to Nowy Dwór Gdański. At present, the bridges on Tuga allow cruises with a small height above the waterline (about 1.6 m). In the near future this is going to change - permanent bridges will replace drawbridges, drawbridges will be restored in Stobec and Nowy Dwór Gdański. In the very center of the capital of Żuławy, a marina will be built. The Tuga Trail to Nowy Dwór Gdański will be another attraction of the Żuławy Loop.
After passing the entrance to Tuga, we continue to meander through Szkarpawa, admiring the charms of the waterway of the Żuławy Loop, on the trail full of willows, you can see numerous white herons, gray herons, cranes, cormorants, swans and many other birds. On the way we pass the towns of Chełmek and Chełmek Osada. At 23 km. The Szkarpawa River, on its right bank, is one of the most interesting marinas on the Żuławy Loop - Przystań Osłonka.
The harbor in Osłonka
The yacht harbor in Osłonka is a must on the map of the Żuławy Loop, only the entrance to the shaft from the jetty and the roof of the marina are visible from the river, these are perfect places for the night. At the piers there are water and electricity connections, after entering the shaft we will see the whole area. Sanitary building (toilets, showers, washing machine) together with the office, fireplace, volleyball court, shed with benches and a washbasin. Always clean, neat, grass trimmed shortly, nice and obliging hosts await the water sports enthusiasts - Bosman Jurek and Pani Basia. The harbor in Osłonka provides water sports with peace and quiet. At a short distance from the marina, there is the Przomopownia in Osłonc - you can reach it after the counter-flood shaft. The nearest store is a few kilometers away, but that's not a problem - you can easily rent a bike at the marina in Osłonka.
Cruise on the Nogat to Elbląg
After the night in Osłonka, we continue on a cruise on the Żuławy Pętla, before us a short section of Szkarpawa, after crossing about 2 km. on the right bank there is a pumping station in Osłonka, further ahead of us is the bay of the Vistula Lagoon. At this point, the internal sea waters begin (marine markings apply from this point).
After the third buoy, we turn to the right side and enter the Nogat River. On the port side, the Ujście Nogatu Reserve - a habitat of numerous birds. Moving the Nogat upstream, we swim against the current, therefore the green buoy is the right border of the waterway, the red buoy is the left border of the waterway. After passing 55 km. The Nogat river on the left bank has the entrance to Cieplice, here the Nowakowska Island begins. A few kilometers further on the left bank there is an entrance through the flood gates in Bielnik on the Jagielloński Canal.
Elblag
The plan of the trip around the Żuławy Loop entails a visit to Elbląg, so we influence the Jagiellonian Canal. It should be remembered that the entrance through the flood gates in Bielnik is narrow, that is why we reach the full height (so that we can see nothing in the opposite direction) and only then we influence the Jagiellonian Canal, here we should use the sound signal. Sailing along the Jagielloński Canal due to underwater roots, we try to keep the middle of the trail, while at the exit we go left. After about 40 minutes of the hausboot cruise, we enter the Elbląg River. At the intersection to the left we reach the Bay of Elbląg and Nowakowo, and right to the center of Elbląg. When entering the Elbląg River, be careful, the movement is much bigger, you can meet on the trail. industrial barges.
Just after entering the Elbląg River, the Hotel Wodnik (Yachtklub Elbląg) is on the right bank, it is the largest yacht marina in Elbląg, it provides water sports with very good conditions - there are water and electricity connections at the pier and piers, in the hotel building kitchen facilities and toilets.
Almost in front of the entrance to the Elbląg Yacht Club there is an entrance to the harbor basin of the HOW Bryza harborside harbor. Sailing further along the Elbląg River, we sail through the Elbląg industrial areas, on the right we will pass the canoe harbor, then there will be a turntable, in front of the drawbridges on the right bank, at the Nabrzeże Nabrzeże there is the Fala Water Sports Center. A water-friendly place - electricity, water, showers, a few berths for guests.
Between the drawbridges on the left bank is one of the most interesting places to stop in Elbląg - Bulwary of Zygmunt August - restored boulevards are adapted for mooring tourist yachts and passenger ships, there are water and electric connections at the mooring poles, the keys to the boxes are provided by gentlemen who support bridges drawbridges. If you want to plug in or pick up water, go to the building where the drawbridges are located (next to the Pub Special). The boulevards are one of the most popular places in Elbląg - nearby restored Elbląg Old Town with its cathedral, numerous shops, pubs and restaurants, where you can eat or shop without any problem.
Lake Drużno
Sailing further along the Elbląg River, we reach the Drużno Lake Reserve - one of the most beautiful places on the water route of the Żuławy Loop, often called the "Polish Amazon" - Lake Drużno is overgrown with floating deciduous plants, including a very rare fungus. There are a lot of waterfowl species on Lake Drużno, both during the breeding season and the migratory period. During a cruise on Lake Drużno, you can meet white-tailed eagle, white tern fish, temptation, grass, herons, cranes, sprinkler, scapegoat and many more. On Lake Drużno, you can only swim with the designated waterway - deviation from the trail is forbidden, you can end up with a mandate or immobilize the propeller of the yacht. A water trail of the Elbląg Canal passes through Lake Drużno. Considering the fact that drawbridges in Elbląg are opened every two hours, a boat trip on Lake Drużno hausboot should be allocated for about 4 hours.
After completing the loop on Lake Drużno, we return to Elbląg and continue through the Jagielloński Canal to Nogat.
Locking on the Nogat
The historic locks on the Nogat are opened manually, as a rule, the sluice opens one pair of gates, in the case of a larger wind the second gates are slightly ajar. If there is a strong side wind, it is best to roll the cabrio and attach it to the roof - minimize the lateral surface of the unit. During the entrance to the lock, we take the course in a straight line to the open gate and slowly influence the belaying side of the unit. If there is a situation that the gates of the lock will be closed, for example: locks of another unit, then we moor the yacht at the dalmies or we move in such a way as to allow other vessels to exit from the lock - remember the boat that comes out of the lock has priority. During the sluicing process, use the fenders on both sides of the unit. After entering the lock, we try to park the unit in the middle of the chamber (at the gate the pumps are working, creating a wave). On the vertical walls of the sluice are cut holes in which there are special crosses for transferring cum, there are also ladders on the walls, mooring poles are placed along the sluice chamber. In the lock, we moor the yacht with a forward and stern mooring - one end of the mooring is clad on the cleat, translated by the poles and the end of the mooring crew member holds in hand dosing its length (choosing or dropping). After the mooring of the yacht in the lock we put out the engine - there is no point in wasting fuel, besides the engine can drag different floating birds in the lock chamber to the cooling pipes. The difference in levels on the sluices Michałowo, Rakowiec, Szonowo is about 2 meters. After adjusting the level, the sluice operator will charge a fee according to the price list (by 16 pm, the fee in the season 2018 is approx. PLN 7.5, after 16.00 it is approx. PLN 15), then it will open the sluice gates - we start the engine, we pull off the mooring lines and slowly run out. Special attention should be paid to the use of bow thrusters - there may be various floating elements in front of the lock or in the lock itself that can be drawn into the tunnel during use and permanently damage the expensive gears of the thruster.
Cruise Nogat to Malbork
Continuing our cruise along the Żuławy Loop, we continue along the Nogat upstream towards Malbork, after crossing under road bridges (DK 7, S7) in the town of Jazowa we are slowly approaching the first sluice on the Nogat River - sluice Michałowo. At a distance of about 2 Km. from the lock, please contact the lock service and ask for the gate to be opened.
After being deported in Michałów, we continue sailing on the Pętla Żuławska cruise, before us a short section of the Nogat - about 1.5 hour cruise to the next Rakowiec lock. Just behind the Michałowo sluice, Nogat is quite wide, then narrows. Approaching the airlock, we sail a short distance from the military airport - often we can see military aircraft taking off, Mig 29 fighters, CASY transporters, perhaps one of these fighters are piloting women - in the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, the only Polish pilot fighters take place. There is a fork in front of the lock itself - we are going to the left! (to the right we will reach the power plant - traffic in this direction is forbidden). By analogy approaching the Rakowiec lock, we call the Service earlier and ask for the gates to be opened. The construction of the Rakowiec lock is similar to the Michałowo lock, the same rules apply to sluicing.
Malbork
After the yacht has been unraveled in Rakowiec, we are practically impacting the outskirts of Malbork, and about 15 minutes of walking is going to the nearest marina. After crossing about 1 km. on the left bank there is the swimming pool of the River Port of Commerce in Malbork, then the wharf of the Techno-Marine shipyard, behind the bend to the left there will be a building with a roof covered with red tiles, it is a marina Park Malbork Northern. We moor in y-booms, at floating piers in accordance with good sailing practice. There is a toilet, showers and a water and electricity connection on the site for water sportsmen. Next to the marina there is a fitness park, a rope park, on the other side of the street there is a camping, a bar, near the Moving Dinosaur Park, a rope park, a nature trail along the banks of the Nogat.
From the marina to the Teutonic Castle in Malbork, it will be about a 15-minute walk along the Nogat. It is necessary to spend about 4-5 hours to visit the castle, therefore, on the day we sail to Malbork, it is best to go and buy tickets for the next day - we highly recommend sightseeing with a virtual guide. In the center of Malbork there is a whole lot of bars, pizzerias and restaurants, here everyone will find something for themselves, in the center at the first roundabout going from the side of the castle there is McDonald, dumpling Pychotka (delicious, fresh, handmade dumplings), Sfinx restaurant, at the second roundabout there is a restaurant "Karolinka" serving home cooking and more. In front of the castle, on the other side of the Nogat you will find a grill bar "U Flisaka", behind the parking lot is "Bistro Na Fali".
Marinas in Malbork
The marina of the North Park in Malbork is not the only place to moor in Malbork, a bit further, between the railway bridge and the footbridge there is a bar bar "U Filisaka", which has a few berths to the berth of the bar. If we make a consumption, parking is free, if you do not have to pay for it. A great advantage of this place is the beautiful view of the Malbork Castle.
Going further along the left bank, there is a castle between the footbridge and the road bridge - a fabulous view from the yacht to the largest fortress in medieval Europe. Under the castle walls there is a mooring berth next to the castle - ideal for a short stop, we do not recommend accommodation in this place (high traffic of tourists, lack of sanitary facilities). Going further along the passage of road bridges, on the left bank there is a municipal swimming pool in Malbork. Malbork on two sides is protected by sluices, so when we leave Malbork, we have another lock in Szonów (sluice of a similar type as in Michałów and Rakowiec).
Cruise Nogat to the White Mountain
After crossing the Szonowo sluice, the last, in our opinion, the most beautiful section of the Nogat with a cruise from Szonów to Biała Góra is ahead of us. The whole section belongs to the "Vistula Valley" - protected area of Natura 2000. The banks are overgrown with forests, on the route of the cruise you can meet numerous beavers, otters, herons, cranes, swans, flow in the close proximity of the Las Mątowski reserve. Las Mątowski Reserve - is a relic of the old forests of the Vistula Żuławy, protection is covered by oak and ash stands, there are several hundred years old white poplars, called twelve apostles. Its eagles have white-tailed eagles, red kites and black kites. At the height of the reserve there are ruins of the old bridge over the Nogat, where before the war there was a border crossing. From there, to the marina in Biała Góra, we have just 10 minutes of the cruise along the Żuławy Loop route.
White Mountain
Arriving at the end of the Nogat, we will see a beautiful, historic lock in Biała Góra, on the right hand the gates lead to the lock gates. On the left side of the lock there is access to the Liw River, on the left bank of the Nogat there are mooring jetties of the marina in Biała Góra. In our opinion and not only Biała Góra is the second, next to the Osłonki, the most beautiful marina on the Żuławy Loop. This climatic place is managed by very helpful bosuns, always willing to help, discuss, suggest. At the disposal of boaters floating mooring jetties with water and electricity connections, to which we moor with a side (long side), on the shore runs a long bridge through the overflowing overgrown with sweet flag. On the shore there is a sanitary building, a marina office, a hangar. In the building guests have toilets, showers, kitchen, washing machine, next to the building a place for a bonfire, grill grate, slip, a place to pitch a tent. From the lock in Białeh Góra there is a beautiful view of the mouth of the Nogat to the Vistula. At this point before the war there was a border of three states: Poland, the Free City of Gdańsk and the Third Reich. In Biała Góra there are two grocery stores (the second one better stocked), hence we have 10 km. to the charming town of Sztum, located on two lakes. At the marina in Biała Góra, you can rent tourist bikes, kayaks, canoes, and fishing boats. In the town itself there is the Biała Góra Nature Reserve - the forest slope with vegetation is covered with protection. Biala Gora is the perfect place for an overnight stay, and in the morning after being overgrown we are influenced by the Vistula River.
Cruise on the Vistula to Tczew
While swimming on the Vistula, one should be very concentrated and careful, one should strictly follow the boundary signs (so-called crosses), on the Vistula we swim from the cross to the cross, we do not sail too close to the shore, we keep a distance of about 50-60 meters from the shoreline, shoot the signs at low water levels are a good chance to pass the shoal. The most dangerous place is a stone reef on the right bank at the height of Hell. There are numerous arduous regrinds on the section.
The current of the Vistula is very strong, the journey from Biała Góra to Tczew will take about 1.5 hours, before Tczew we will pass under the Knybwaski bridge on the national road no. 22, then the historic bridges in Tczew will appear. On the Vistula there is one place where you can moor, it is a river harbor in Tczew, located on the left bank of the Vistula, about 200 meters before the bridges. We approach the floating jetties against the current !!! After mooring, we report your stay in the restaurant (there is a boatman).
Tczew
Near the marina in Tczew there is a very large playground for children, numerous restaurants, Tczew's old town, in the center it is worth going to the Vistula River Museum. Overnight in Tczew is not a good solution, toilets are closed together with the restaurant, current connections are located on flood embankments - an extension cord is useful.
By the Vistula River to Gdańsk
After stopping at the marina in Tczew, we will continue our cruise on the Vistula towards Gdańsk. It takes about 2 hours to flow to the Gdańsk Głowa head and the entrance to Szkaprawa. We continue along the Vistula, following the boundary signs, behind the bridges, arduous regrinds and fairly extended spurs on the right bank of the Vistula. Underneath the high-voltage line from the right side, the spurs are stretched out, we stay closer to the center, the edge markings stop, we keep to the right side, closer to the center. From the bridge on national road 7, we swim the entire width of the Vistula. After passing the bridge, on the right bank you will see the entrance to the Szkarpawa river and the Gdańsk Głowa sluice, to Gdańsk we continue to the Przegalina lock.
Martwa Wisła
After being relieved in Przegalina, we enter the Martwa Wisła, behind the airlock to the left we reach the biggest marina in this area - the marina in Błotnik. The trail leads straight to the center of Gdańsk. On our right bank, the Sobieszewska Island is still on the left, the Galeon yacht marina (the ban on inflow) and the phosphate fold, in front of the pontoon bridge in Sobieszewo, on the left bank of the Martwa Wisła, there is a small, private marina. The pontoon bridge in Sobieszewo is opened at certain times, it is necessary to plan the route so as not to be too late to open it. Hausboot section from the Przegalina lock to the pontoon bridge in Sobieszewo you will defeat in about 45 minutes. After passing through the open pontoon bridge on the right bank there is a concrete wharf where you can stand a unit. Sobieszewo Island is famous for its beautiful, sandy beaches - a longer stop in this place is not recommended, due to undulations and leaving the unit unattended. Sailing further on Marwa Vistula, we will reach the fork of the waterway - the Vistula Śmiała straight ahead, this section will take us to the West Górka (the mecca of Polish sailing) and further to the Baltic Sea. There are numerous marinas on the left bank. The bifurcation is valid for internal sea waters - swimming after this reservoir without the appropriate permits (motor yachts - a motorboat driver's license, for example) is forbidden.
The trail to the center of Gdansk at the fork of the Martwa Wisła and Wisła Śmiała leads to the left, we sail alongside the shipyard areas, in front of the cable-stayed bridge on the right and left bank numerous marinas, after passing the cable-stayed bridge, Siennicki ahead of us there will be a turntable - straight shipyard (there is no influencing there), left Motława and the old town of Gdansk, to the right, the Martwa Wisła, we reach the Wisłoujście Fortress, Westerplatte and the mouth of the Martwa Wisła to the Baltic Sea (we do not influence numerous sections - shipyard areas).
Motława
On the Motława the traffic is very large, one should be particularly careful, on the left bank there is a Lotos petrol station and Sienna Gorbla marina (electricity, water, toilets, showers), we moor in y-booms. Sienna Grobla is a place for people who value peace and quiet (as opposed to the bustling Marina Gdańsk), hence the old town through the footbridge over the Motława River will be about 500 meters. Sailing further, we flow under an open footbridge over the Motława River (under closed motor yachts will not fit), then we pass the Sołdek Museum, behind the ship is the entrance to the Marina Gdańsk.
Gdańsk
There is a whole bunch of pubs and pubs in the Old Town, everyone will find something for themselves. In addition to the obligatory visit to Długi Targ, it is worth visiting the Museum of the Second World War, the Solidarity Museum, Westerplatte, the Wisłoujście Fortress. If you went on a cruise along the Żuławy Loop with children, we recommend a visit to the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk - an interactive exhibition is great fun for the whole family (the entrance is located opposite Sołdek).
Szkarpawa, Sluice Gdańsk Head and Drewnica
After visiting Gdańsk, we return along the same route to the Przegalina lock, after we have been through the Vistula, we swim against the current in the direction of the Gdańsk Głowa lock (it will take a little more time to flow against the Vistula). After being overcome, we influence Szkarpawa, hence 3.5 km to our base in the marina of Żuławki. One of the attractions is still waiting for us - in Drewnica there is a drawbridge, the clearance under the bridge is 3 meters, with normal water we will pass without a problem. However, the level of water in rivers in Żuławy depends on many factors, so check whether the yacht will fit under the bridge. We reduce the speed and slowly swim under the bridge, drop the landing on the yacht's bow and check if the yacht will pass if we slowly flow under the drawbridge in Drewnica.
On both sides of the drawbridge in Drewnica there are floating mooring jetties, you can moor at them to go to a shop nearby, try delicious dumplings at Szkarpawianka restaurant or see one of the other two Dutch windmills of Koźlak type in Żuławy (located he is about 500 meters from the Szkarpawianka restaurant).
Zulawki
After sailing under the drawbridge in Drewnica, you will see a characteristic blue houseboat, moored at the marina in Żuławki, unfortunately here your 7-day cruise on the Żuławy Loop ends. After the yacht is moored in the port, the yacht should be cleaned from its own luggage, and the unit cleaned. After cleaning the yacht, we report to the owner the desire to pass the unit. After checking the yacht for compliance with the delivery and acceptance protocol, the deposit will be returned to you. On average, clearing a yacht takes about 2 hours, please remember to plan the unit. The time entered in the contract is the time of the yacht's clean sentence, not the hour of sailing to the port.
Cruise on the Żuławy Loop
If you have a very simplified description of a cruise on the Żuławy Loop, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to answer them, we will help you arrange the route of your cruise. There are a lot of alternatives, you can modify the route of the Żuławy Loop with a picturesque Vistula River cruise, for people with powerboat license, the route can be modified by the Vistula Lagoon and a visit to Kąty Rybackie, Krynica Morska, Frombork or Tolkmicko.
Cruise on the Żuławy Loop with bicycles
Around the water route of Petla Żuławska there are a lot of bicycle routes that can very much spice up your cruise around Żuławy Wiślane, you can see a lot more. At your request, we install bike racks, depending on the type of vessel you can take from 2 up to 10 bikes.
Charters on the Żuławy Loop
We invite you for charters on the Żuławy Loop, we have a very large selection of motor yachts, everyone will find something for themselves - three riverboat cabin cruiser type River Cruiser 39, two smaller cabin type Suncamper 30, Vistula Cruiser 30, Nautika 830, family yachts type Weekend 820 and a small Merry Fischer 530 unit.
