Contributions by Hilary Gallo

Hilary Gallo says:

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Entry is fine but narrow so best to check the ferry arrival/departure times to/from Haugesund as meeting it in the narrow channel would be interesting. Shop open late with card entry. Great showers, 10NOK coin.

2 x helpful | written on 22. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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A commercial port which has adapted to boats and camping. A good place to moor - economical and good ferries to get about but these islands will be best if you are up for walking or have bikes as most facilities are not close. Seemed to be quite a good choice of berths. Harbour fees are paid with a deposit for a card which gives service building access and you charge up for electric. Good shower block.

ICA Supermarket on Ockero is a 10-15 min walk but I reckon the one on Hönö (joined with a bridge) might be nearer. I ran over the island to Saltasviken, a great swim spot (pictured) and my wife used the Post Office on Hönö.

1 x helpful | written on 16. Jun 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Mixture of wooden faced quay and pontoons. A nice and easy place to stay the heart of town but the downside is the party noise particularly at weekends. We found this a fair trade but ear plugs may be advisable. Fisketorget was good to eat at. The other question is having to walk 10 mins across to the other marina for showers and laundry. Depends on your needs. The other marina is also well placed for town but doesn’t have the bars round it. Recommend Buøy (on the way in or out from the north) for fuel.

1 x helpful | written on 23. May 2026 | updated_on 23. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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I didn’t fully understand the current. The river flows down into the basin under the low town bridge you can see in the photos so that means there is a cross current that pushes you (in particular deep down, your keel if you have one) sideways as you berth, particularly if you go on the inside of the guest finger as we did. I’d go on the outside by choice if doing it again. Also quite short fingers (8m?) with rings.

Good place to stay and explore, particularly the very attractive western approach behind the island. Road bridge is 22m high. Nice to be met. The office is open in the evenings.

1 x helpful | written on 24. May 2026 | updated_on 24. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Nice sheltered harbour but shore facilities currently poor. Apparently the old service buildings on the old pier have been knocked down and a new pier built but the contractor hasn’t guaranteed it for building on so local I spoke to wasn’t sure what was happening. Meanwhile the fees are high and, in last week of May, there is no toilet. Also showers are 50NOK but no option in GoMarina to pay. Suspect the temporary facilities are here for the summer? My wife found a toilet in the shopping complex to the south where there is a Spar.

1 x helpful | written on 27. May 2026 | updated_on 27. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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This is a great place to stop. Everything is well cared for and works. Supermarket within easy walking distance and free buses around the island. Lots of outdoor barbecue and seating areas and even a fully equipped kitchen. Fishmonger selling a good range including the local langoustines. Lovely beach stretches just north of the marina. Interesting island to navigate around as it stretches out under the water some distance.

1 x helpful | written on 21. Jun 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Nice place to stop. We stayed on the jetty that comes out from the shore to the east. Beyond two boats lengths in it does start to get shallow so I’d watch out if you are any depth. Dockspot. Didn’t bother with shore power as it’s 70SEK extra. Good supermarket and nice bakery/cafe. Not a lot else apart from holiday homes. Had a nice walk around Hamburgö island.

Do watch out for the cable ferry if you come in from the north. It’s cables prevent any transit when it’s operating, During the day it goes on the hour, 20 and 40 past and seems to wait on the island side then do a quick back and forth starting at those times.

1 x helpful | written on 31. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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We stayed at the Limfjord Sailing Club berths that were straight ahead as we came in. System for berthing and code all worked well and this is a nice well run club that we enjoyed staying in. Small and limited spaces and limited facilities (one shower only) but good and just what you need. Also noticed there is free berthing between the bridges in a small canal on the south side for less than 24h. East road bridge opens on the hour most hours apart from rush hour and rail bridge to West opened at 12 and 42 past the hour to coordinate.

1 x helpful | written on 23. Jun 2026 | updated_on 23. Jun 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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A, B and even C pontoons are quite long so maybe see if you can get a green marked berth away from the ends. Piles with width markings. Great set up overall but it is a more expensive marina. Laundry, you book the room with 4 pro machines from the harbour office in 3 h blocks (10-1, 1-4pm etc) for 100SEK.

As others have said, Hemkop supermarket and big Sea Sea Chandler easy to reach at Tranered tram stop. We also had a great meal at TapasBaren restaurant between Sannaplan and Mariaplan stops.

One warning that may apply also elsewhere - we were burgled by a crow at 0530am which flew into our boat (only washboards were open so small vertical gap only) and raided our dry food stores - bread and biscuits. It flew away as soon as we disturbed it but it was quite a size and caused a fair bit of food loss. Watch out!

1 x helpful | written on 3. Jun 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Small marina with space for 7 small boats at a push - 3 or 4 big ones. Free buoy outside harbour and good anchoring in bay. There is only 1m at chart datum at the end of the inside pontoons so although these can be used, be careful beyond the hammerhead. They are not usually visitor berths. One shower which is free. Great place to visit.

Manager for 2026 is Adam and the number on Orkney Marinas website for Pierowall is now 07300 806911

1 x helpful | written on 8. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Fairly modern marina. Visitors mostly use the end of the nearest pontoon. Cleats only on hammerhead (inside and outside), rest are rings. Showers cost £1 but last some 10mins. They are in ferry terminal. Staff very helpful but are only present on limited hours.

1 x helpful | written on 8. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Really friendly marina staff. Safe once in. Worth calling or emailing ahead. We were welcomed in at 2130 arrival. Showers charge by the electric used so you often don’t have to put any extra on the meter. Beware strong SE winds as the bay shelves and can build up a sea.

Town slightly struggling but great museum and cop supermarket within easy walking distance.

1 x helpful | written on 8. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Orkney’s biggest marina. The three marinas (Kirkwall, Stromness and Pierowall) are run by a friendly volunteer group so offices generally open at limited times. Here it was 9-10am when fuel is also available. Harbourmaster is separate and seemed not interested in Marina matters. You generally find a spot yourself and in can easily get crowded for bigger boat spaces on end berths in particular. Spaces for up to 37ft say on inside berths but watch depth. Good basic facilities with showers taking £1 coin for 6mins. Laundry on high street in town. Great fish and chip shop. Car hire expensive but recommended to really see mainland. Buses - around island to sights and to airport and Aberdeen Ferry - are very good also.

1 x helpful | written on 18. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Great picnic spot but also a great place to stop to catch up on sleep overnight if you are on your way to Bergen. Easy to find, even in the dark as the hazards are obvious. We found a small barbecue hut but little else.

1 x helpful | written on 18. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Nice to be in the centre but little else going for it. Harbour wall bathing which on the low tide (c 1m drop) can make it difficult to get on/off boat. We used the central Shetland/Larsen quay and that was quieter than others it seemed.

The Service Centre where the toilets and showers are located is under contract from the restaurant building and only open from 11am. Toilets on ground floor, showers and laundry one floor up - different codes. Our shower/laundry code did not work as they haven’t updated it in the automated system so we had to call each time to get GoMarina to open it remotely. The restaurant building has problems with drug users apparently. One positive is that the laundry washer/dryers are included at no extra charge.

1 x helpful | written on 19. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Great place with a concrete visitor quay which is hidden as you enter but is to the left behind the ferry dock. There are berths in the marina if the dock is full (see photo of notice)

Power is in a box with a 2 pin mains plug and is included in the 200 nok fee. The shop is excellent and has good quality products. It is also possible to use it with your credit card outside normal opening hours. Free bikes although in May they needed a bit of maintenance. Fuel self service. Showers with 10NOK minimum and laundry 20NOK. Great place to explore.

1 x helpful | written on 21. May 2026

Hilary Gallo says:

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Easy place to refuel. Self service Diesel and Petrol. Short pontoons with rings although there are some short lines. Set up for RIBs and small motorboats.

1 x helpful | written on 22. May 2026 | updated_on 22. May 2026