Bastøy

Bastøybukta is a natural anchorage on the north side of the island of Bastøy, at the entrance to the inner Oslofjord, southeast of Horten. The island is best known for housing Bastøy Prison, and the bay itself, together with the adjoining Bastøykalven, is designated a public recreational area where swimming and boating are permitted, while the rest of the island is fenced off.

You anchor on your own ground tackle, as the anchorage has no dock berths. The bottom is sand with depths of 2 to 6 metres closest to the beach, while the anchoring depth further out is 5-8 metres. The approach is relatively shallow overall, but with good holding ground. Some wash from fjord traffic reaches the bay, but otherwise it is a sheltered spot to stop on the way in or out of the fjord - popular as a day and fair-weather anchorage.

At the beach you will find a toilet and a waste disposal point, so you can dispose of rubbish before continuing your passage.

The beach is open to the public and is regularly cleared and raked. Drop anchor for a swim at the sheltered beach before setting course further into or out of the Oslofjord.