Kerteminde Marina in Denmark has been named Harbour of the Year 2025 following a vote by over 2,000 recreational sailors. The award is presented by Danske Tursejlere, the Association of Marinas in Denmark, the Danish Sailing Union, Bådmagasinet and Minbaad.dk.
The marina accommodates 700 berths and serves as a point of arrival for both sailors and other visitors. Recent developments at the marina include a new washing area, fuel facility and boat cranes.
The winner was selected from the five harbours with the most votes among more than 350 marinas in the country. The jury highlighted the marina’s developments, and sailors commented that the marina is “well-maintained and practical for both visiting sailors and permanent berth holders.” The “involvement of staff, the condition of toilet facilities, barbecue areas, the nearby bathing beach with jetty and accessible payment options” were also considered in the evaluation.
Kasper Ejsing Olesen, Mayor of Kerteminde Municipality, stated that in addition to the recent upgrades, the coordination between businesses and associations at the marina forms a part of how the harbour operates.
The marina is included in the Port Development Plan, which was adopted by a broad majority in the City Council in 2018. The plan, now nearly complete, includes new housing, retail outlets, a promenade and a pier, aiming to link the old industrial port and marina more closely with Kerteminde’s market town area.
A master plan for Kerteminde Marina has been drawn up to guide further development. The first phase includes replacing three bridges with floating bridges to add berths and converting the winter storage area into a multifunctional space for events during the summer.
The project will cost 27 million DKK (over $4 million USD), including 15.6 million DKK (approximately $2.4 million) in EU funding. Work on the floating bridges is scheduled to begin in December 2025.
