The Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (NOK)

The 98.6 km / 53.2 nm long Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (North Sea-Baltic Sea Canal or NOK), popularly known as the Kiel Canal, connects the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Every year around 14,000 recreational vessels use this busy thoroughfare to bypass the longer route to the north around Denmark.

The Kiel Canal has strict rules which must be observed by yachts transiting it. Guidance handouts about the rules (Guidance for Operators of Recreational Craft) and the fees (Kiel Canal Transit Fees for Recreational Craft) can be obtained (in German or in English) via download. Paper copies are also available at either end of the canal for easy on board reference.

Canal Guidelines for Recreational Vessels

Most recreational vessels transit the Kiel Canal without needing a pilot. There is an exemption from the compulsory pilotage requirement granted to recreational vessels with a single-hull and a draught of 3.1 meters or less, and for multi-hulled vessels under 12 m in width and less than 20 m in length.

Recreational vessels with a length of 20m or more must operate an AIS (class A or B) throughout their transit. AIS transponders can be rented if needed at either end of the canal.

The use of self-steering devices is prohibited.

There is a speed limit of 12 km/h (6.5 knots) along the canal since 1 July 2023.

Recreational vessels can only transit in daylight hours. The official “daylight” hours are published on page 9 of the Guidance for Operators of Recreational Craft. Recreational vessels are allowed to lock in or out of the Brunsbüttel locks and move to / from the Brunsbüttel recreational craft berth outside of daylight hours (for tidal purposes).

Recreational vessels are not allowed to transit in restricted visibility. If fog should set in, yachts are expected to make their way to the next siding and tie-up behind the dolphins until the fog clears.

Sailing is forbidden, within the Kiel canal channel. Yachts are permitted to set sails to assist the engine, but they need to display the proper day mark (a black cone – point down) and the engine must remain on.

Recreational vessels are expected to stay as far to the right as possible. Generally vessels need to keep at least 25m off of the shore to ensure they don’t get too close to the sloping shore. There are signs marking this recommended distance along the canal.

Light Signals

Full details of the light signals in the locks and through the canal are published on page 8 of the Guidance for Operators of Recreational Craft.

When preparing to enter the locks, use the sailboat waiting areas (“Wartestelle für Sportboote) and stay clear of commercial vessels and the lock approaches. Commercial vessels will enter first. Recreational vessels ONLY enter with a single flashing white light, no other lights should be present. All other signals mean that the lock is not clear for recreational vessels.

Along the canal, most lights are for the larger vessels. However, recreational vessels need to be aware that 3 flashing red lights do apply to recreational vessels. With 3 flashing red lights, NO vessels are permitted to exit the siding.

Additional Information

There are 10 bridges with a clearance height of 42 meters / 138 feet (40 m / 131 ft for the vessel and 2 m / 6.6 ft in reserve).

There are 14 ferry crossings. All ferries have AIS and traffic on the canal has the right of way. Generally, the ferries will avoid vessels, but be prepared that they will cross close behind you as soon as you pass.

Check the WSV Tips for Getting Through page for the latest tips for getting through and lock status updates.

Yachts unable to use their engine or without an engine may be towed through at the owner’s expense.

Communications

Because of the high amount of radio traffic, the traffic control office and lock-keepers should only be called on VHF radio when necessary. The lock masters can see you visually and on AIS (if using). If you are waiting in the proper waiting areas (shown on page 7 of the Guidance for Operators of Recreational Craft) and will be locking with other sailing vessels it is unlikely you will need to call them.

Transiting vessels must monitor the correct frequencies in the locks and throughout the Canal passage.

• VHF channel 13 (call Kiel Canal I) Brunsbüttel lock area
• VHF channel 2 (call Kiel Canal II) Brunsbüttel – Breiholz reach
• VHF channel 3 (call Kiel Canal III) Breiholz – Kiel-Holtenau reach
• VHF channel 12 (call Kiel Canal IV) Kiel-Holtenau lock area

The Kiel-Holtenau lock master is reachable at Tel: +49 431 3603 152 and the Brunsbüttel lock master is reachable at Tel: +49 4852 885 252

Authorized Mooring

From March until the end of October there are at least 12 hours of “daylight” according to the regulations, so most boats are capable of making the transit in one day, most of the sailing season. However, as autopilot is not permitted the transit makes for a long day for short handed crews, especially in shorter, colder spring or autumn days.

There are 8 authorized areas to stop on a normal transit. These are outlined in the Guidance for Operators of Recreational Craft on page 6 and some details are included below.

• Brunsbüttel recreational craft berths (km 1.8) – fees apply
• Berth in Dückerswisch siding (north side, km 20.7) – max draught 2.4m, tie-up to pilings, one night only
• Berth before Gieselau lock (entrance at km 40.5) – max draught 2.4m, wooden piers on either side of the canal, immediately before the Gieselau lock, one night only
• Berths in Obereider Lake (entrance at km 66)
• Berths in Borgstedt Lake (entrance at km 67.5)
• Berths in Borgstedt Lake, bridge middle section (entrance at km 70) – Note: bridge height is 22.5m
• Recreational craft roadstead in Flemhuder Lake (km 85.4) – limited area to anchor, and pilings to tie to, one night only
• Kiel-Holtenau recreational craft berths (km 98.5) – outside of the lock to the east, bathroom and showers, no power – fees apply

Popular midway stops are in the Rendsburg area (km 66 – km 70) where there are a couple of marinas and a town and at the Gieselau lock (km 40.5) which is in the middle of farmland with nice walking, but no facilities other than the piers.

Note: foreign yachts transiting without clearing-in, can only use the siding stops at km 20.7 and km 85.4 and might need permissions to do so. Yachts that have not cleared customs are not permitted to use the Gieselau lock turn off.

In an emergency, yachts may also moor behind the dolphins in the sidings. These dolphins are intended for larger vessels but use is authorized in fog and emergencies.

Fees for Recreational Vessels

Canal Fees

Transiting the Kiel Canal on recreational vessels requires payment of a transit fee in accordance with the regulations. Fees can not be paid inside the lock chambers.

Information about the Canal Fees for pleasure vessels is found on the Kiel Canal website and outlined in Kiel Canal Transit Fees for Recreational Craft pamphlet. Canal Fees can be paid for one lock or for a through passage of both locks. Online Tickets for Recreational Vessels are purchased with a transit day and yachts can enter up to 2 days prior or 3 days after.

• 0 to 10m: €7 for one lock and €12 for a full transit
• 10m to 12m: €8 for one lock and €18 for a full transit
• 12m to 16m: €18 for one lock and €35 for a full transit
• 16m to 20m: €21 for one lock and €41 for a full transit
• 20m and longer €23+ for one lock and €43+ for a full transit

Canal tickets can be purchased at pay machines either side of the Kiel-Hotenau locks, with the lock keeper at Gieselau lock, with the Brunsbüttel harbor master (limited hours) and online.

Berthing Fees

Yachts are allowed to stay near the locks on either side of the canal for up to 3 nights. Both the Brunsbüttel and Kiel-Holtenau berth facilities have toilets and showers. Only the Brunsbüttel piers have power. Fees in 2025 for Brunsbüttel and Kiel-Holtenau berths are:

• up to 8m: €5.50 / night
• over 8m up to 10m: €8.00 / night
• over 10m up to 14m: €10.00 / night
• over 14m up to 17m: €11.00 / night
• over 17m up to 20m: €14.00 / night
• 20m and longer: €1.10/meter per night

Useful Links

• Waterways and Shipping Authority – North Sea Canal – the main WSV.de page on the Kiel Canal (in German, google translate works well)
• WSV – Pleasure Boats on the Kiel Canal – the WSV.de page for recreational boaters with links to all the information yachts need (in German with some English, google translate works well)
• Kiel Canal Webcams – live webcams of the Kiel and Brunsbüttel locks as well as useful YouTube videos
• Online Tickets for Recreational Vessels – WSV.de website for online payment of the Canal Fees
• Kiel Canal: Detailed Instructions for Pleasure Boats – Detailed article from blauwasser.de with everything yachts need to know about a transit (in German, but google translate works well)
• SV Seefalke approach youtube video for Kiel Canal locks – August 2018

Last updated: October 2025