Nature and culture in Aarhus Bay

Organization: Frank Flemming Pedersen, FFP Communication.

Danske Tursejlere thanks VisitOdder, VisitAarhus-Roar Paaske, Colourbox, Nicolas Weldingh, Ali Bergen, Dennis Borup Jakobsen for loan of photo

Released in 2023

Introduction

Aarhus Bay is bounded by Kalø Vig to the north, Sletterhage and Helgenæs to the east, Samsø and Tunø to the south and the East Jutland coast around Norsminde to the southwest. The bay covers a total area of approximately 610 km² and consists of a fairly flat basin that increases in depth from west to east from 14 to 18 meters.

These are the cold facts. But if we zoom in on the area, some of the wonderful experiences you can have in the Danish nature are revealed.

The sailing area itself is largely unproblematic and not extensive. Both at sea and on land, there are plenty of experiences where we can enjoy the variations of nature and reminisce about historical moments that have left their mark right up to the present day.

We start the tour in Norsminde, a small fishing village in a beautiful and lonely location with the fjord to the west and the southernmost border of Aarhus Bay to the east. There is always something to experience in these parts. The area is a small attraction for nature lovers from near and far.

The journey continues towards the city of Aarhus, which also has its natural and cultural gems to adorn itself with. The tour ends in Kalø Vig, where the Mols Mountains are beautifully situated and tempting for hiking. The unique landscape has so much to offer. But so do the experiences on and under the water. Just open your senses and let your imagination run wild as you embark on the vast selection.

If you have the courage to dive into the Blue Experiences in Aarhus Bay, visit www.blaaoplevelser.dk and find inspiration for your next trip.

Nature and culture in Aarhus Bay

Aarhus Bay is full of Blue Experiences. Above and below the water, there is something to see and understand. The nature on land, as it appears in the beautiful Mols Mountains, is unique and can be experienced on a hike through the terrain.

But Aarhus Bay is also breathtaking from the sea. The coastal forest stretches along large areas of the coast south of Aarhus, and to the east, the large moraine hills of Mols Bjerge rise high in the landscape.

Bird life thrives in the lagoons and the many areas of flat salt marsh, and both porpoises and seals frolic in the varied waters. Porpoises can be seen regularly in Aarhus Harbor, and the bay has often been visited by dolphins.

But there's more to come. Read on and join Blå Oplevelser in the breathtaking area around Aarhus Bay.

A WILD COASTAL NATURE

The area around Aarhus Bay is one of our most scenic. Bays and peninsulas meander and curl with plenty of lagoons and shelters that invite further exploration. In these coves are several Fairway buoys, where you can stay, and there are plenty of large and small marinas. You can easily spend several days in the area if you want to take it all in. The possibilities for kayaking, canoeing or SUP boarding are endless.

UNDER THE WATER

If you prefer an underwater experience, there's plenty of life unfolding here. An artificial stone reef measuring 30 by 80 meters and up to 8 meters in height has been built at Aarhus Ø to attract fish, seals and porpoises. Here you can observe the marvelous underwater life where animals and plants thrive.

Along the coast of Mols, the possibilities are endless. The large rocks along the coast are covered with a variety of colorful seaweed, including saw kelp, bladder kelp and string kelp. Between the rocks and seaweed you'll find schools of sandeels, cod fry, mackerel and herring. And there are both common and large seaweed needles that camouflage themselves well.

Where the bottom slopes down and gets deeper, you should also keep an eye out for various flatfish. The codfish is also found on the sandy bottom - it's a really beautiful fish that, despite its toxicity, is quite exciting to encounter - as long as you keep your hands off it.

FROM THE SOUTH

If you start your sailing trip in the southern part of Aarhus Bay, Norsminde Marina and the entrance to the fjord are worth a visit. Entering Norsminde through the narrow marked channel is a very special experience that must be experienced - and is best done at high tide with little current.

From Hou south of Norsminde to Aarhus, the sandy beaches lie like pearls on a string and the coast is characterized by dense, green coastal forest with large beech trees. If you have a rubber dinghy and can go ashore, there are plenty of incredibly beautiful walks in the forest with views of the sea, for example at Moesgård Strand with a marked path through the forest to visit the fantastic Moesgård Museum, Marselisborg Deer Park and Castle and at the beautiful "Infinite Bridge" just south of Marselisborg Marina. In addition to the many enticing offers in the city of Aarhus, the Port of Aarhus has many offers for the visitor. The harbor bath, the sea railway and the many good eateries attract a diverse audience. To the south you can moor in Marselisborg Marina and to the north in Aarhus Marina.

A brand new district "Aarhus Ø" with new (and still controversial) architecture has emerged between the two marinas over the past 10 years. The coast north of Aarhus offers several lovely beaches before you reach Egå Marina and then Kaløvig Bådelaug. These are the two large marinas in Aarhus Bay with all facilities.

THE GUINEA PIGS FROLIC

Porpoises are often seen in the Bay of Aarhus. They like to enter the many coves of Djursland. The small whale comes quite close to the harbors, and it's not uncommon to see them inside Aarhus Harbor - spring and summer along with shoals of herring and mackerel.

Porpoises are said to be shy and stay away from boats, but in recent decades there have been more and more reports of porpoises following boats and riding the bow wave like dolphins abroad. It is therefore very likely that you will encounter porpoises on a boat trip around the bay. Always remember to keep about 100 meters away from the porpoises and let them come to you.

TAKE THE KAYAK AROUND

If you're into kayaking, Aarhus Bay is also a little gem. Lagoons, coves and peninsulas are exciting to explore, and the many sandy beaches invite you to stop for lunch and a swim. And on the way you'll pass a lot of charming harbors and even a castle ruin.

At the bottom of Kalø Vig are some shallow lagoons and Gull Island, which is a good place to look for birds. Følle beach is a lovely beach that is also a great place to stay. Here in the area you'll also encounter dense coastal forest, and you'll pass Kalø Castle Ruins, which was built together with the rest of the castle in 1313 and served as a defensive fortress. Take a trip to Nappedam Marina, which is beautifully surrounded by the Kalø forests at the bottom of Aarhus Bay.

We recommend following the marked entrance east of the Rønsten reef outside Nappedam. Well-known and smaller vessels can also use the deep but unmarked channel, which passes right past Kalø Castle Ruin. The Rønsten reef with the giant Rønsten protects the lagoon inside, which is also sought out by many windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Nappedam is also ideal for exploring Kalø Castle Ruins and the surrounding forests (you can borrow bikes for free at the harbor - and a visit to the local fishmonger with its own smokehouse in Egens just east of the harbor is a must).

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Kalø Castle Ruin is a popular spot for sailors, kayakers, hikers and many more. The ruin's location right at the water's edge at the end of a one and a half kilometer long dam - and with water on three sides - makes the ruin a beautiful and obvious excursion destination from the waterside. At the buoys surrounding the ruin, you are protected in all weathers with a direct view of the ruin.

Every year around 150,000 people visit the 700-year-old ruin, whose history is full of drama, decay and new opportunities. In 1313, the king, Erik Menved, had put down a rebellion of Jutland peasants who were dissatisfied with the king's many wars and the high taxes collected to fund them. To keep any rebels in check and to control and tax the local areas, four so-called fortified castles were built in Jutland, and Kalø was one of them.

From the ruin there is a unique view of Kalø Vig and the nature here at Mols Bjerge. You can enjoy the landscape and nature from the top of the tower. A staircase has been built that leads visitors up to the panoramic view at the top of the tower. From here, just like in the Middle Ages, you can see the entire bay towards Aarhus and the surrounding beautiful landscape. There are plans to build an information center for both Kalø Castle Ruin and Mols Bjerge National Park at Kalø.

FURTHER ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF MOLS

On the Mols side south of Nappedam, you can choose to enter Knebel Vig and visit the harbor here or lie by the fine tour buoys. Take your time - too many people cheat themselves of the great experience of entering Knebel Vig through the marked and up to 14 m deep channel, where you can lie protected from all winds by the tour buoys with a first-class view of the Mols Mountains. But remember to navigate carefully - sail "from the outside in" with the chimneys from Studstrup Power Station at the stern, as there are large rocks north of the entrance and sandbanks to the south.

Large salt meadows can be found in the area around Øhoved and Skødshoved. The small marina at Skødshoved on the eastern side of Mols is also worth a visit if the boat doesn't go too deep. The salt meadows are home to a wide variety of wading birds and ducks that rest and feed.

Further south into Begtrup Vig between Skødshoved and Helgenæs, you pass the beautiful cliffs along the southwest side of Skødshoved. It's especially in the innermost part of the cove at Rønnen that you should keep an eye out for exciting birdlife. The seal is also a frequent visitor to the area. The anchor buoys in Begtrup Vig and the small harbor Kongsgårde on the south side of the cove invite you to explore the area.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS

West of Kongsgårde there are also large bird-rich salt meadows - often with large flocks of resting geese. The beautiful and historic area of "Draget" - the narrow connection between Mols and Helgenæs - and the nearby "Olaf Ryes Skanser" are nearby excursion destinations from either the touring buoys at the bottom of the cove or Kongsgårde harbor. The beach around Vængesø, where you might be lucky enough to hear the gray-throated grebe's pig howl during the breeding season, is also just east of Kongsgårde.

The tour in Aarhus Bay ends with Helgenæs - "The Nose of Mols" - which can be seen from the sea. From Sletterhage Lighthouse on the southern tip, the hilly moraine landscape has good trails just waiting to be explored. From here there are breathtaking views towards the northern tip of Samsø, where the hilly landscape continues in Nordby Bakker and eastwards to Hjelm. In clear weather, Sjællands Odde can also be glimpsed on the horizon in the wake of Mols Line's large catamaran ferries, which pass very close to the coast at Helgenæs.

At the southern tip of Helgenæs, the sea reaches a depth of up to 61 meters in a deep trench, and a little further south and Samsø/Tunø is the flat Mejlflak with only ½ meter depth. Sletterhage Lighthouse is 16 meters high and was built in 1894, and many anglers gather along the coast in search of both sea trout and flatfish. Our tour of Aarhus Bay ends here, and from Helgenæs the sea is open for either a trip to Samsø and Tunø to the south or a trip to Ebeltoft Vig. There are Blue Experiences in the waters around here. We got to see something. Not everything. Maybe not even the most important - but we'd love to return.