Copenhagen harbour safety

Copenhagen is a lively, working harbour with loads of boats and harbour busses crossing the canals. Paddling the harbour is legal, but due to the busy waters, these are some guidelines for safe play and overall rules on the water:

• Maximum sailing speed is 6 knots in the main harbour and 4 knots in the canals 
• Jetski, windsurfing and kitesurfing is not allowed in the harbour 
• Sailboats are not allowed to set sail in the harbour 
• Even though the entire harbour is clean enough for bathing, it’s only allowed to swim in the 14 designated ‘bathing zones’ 
• Fishing is allowed in Copenhagen harbour. Fishing licenses can be purchased on fisketegn.dk

When paddling or kayaking in the harbour, these are the rules to follow:  

• Keep to the right
• Stay close to the harbour wall 
• It’s always a good idea to wear a life vest 
• Check the weather forecast and consider wearing a life vest 
• Make sure that you’re experienced enough to navigate away from boats and other moving vessels
• Bringing a partner is a good idea 
• Wear a light when it’s dark

Where to rent your equipment:

• SUP rental is found in numerous places along the harbour. Central and Amager Strandpark outlets include: Kayak Republic, Kayakhotellet, Frozen Palmtree, Kingfish
• If you want to venture out of Copenhagen, you can rent SUPs here: Hornbæk Surfshop, Water Sights (Rungsted), KanoKajakCenter (Mølleåen), Ka’nalu (Ishøj/Arken), Kitekollektivet (Dragør)
• Looking for tour suggestions on hand? By & Havn just released a new app, KBH Havn, collecting all you need to know about recreational use of the harbour. The app includes SUP tour (and kayaking and sailing) suggestions as well as weather updates, water quality, a map of bathing zones etc.