After a cold dip in the Øresund, I’m waiting for a hot cup of coffee in Amager. I casually leaf through a brochure about Bornholm and fall in love with a full-page picture of a rocky outcrop with a bathing ladder drilled into the rock. That’s when my dream of winter swimming on Bornholm was born. The idea of replacing Amager’s flat sandy beach with Bornholm’s cliffs seemed very appealing. But is winter swimming even possible on the Sunshine Island, where people only flock during the summer holidays? Yes it is!
Winter swimming spots on Bornholm
Årsdale: There are two places to swim in Årsdale. One spot is at the harbour, which also has a sauna, which, however, is currently not publicly accessible. However, I opted for the bathing ladder south of the playground. When the waves flow straight in, the rocks act as breakwaters, keeping the water around the ladder fairly calm. Always check the weather conditions.
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Næs: There is no sauna at Næs beach, but there is a small shelter with benches where you can leave your things and change. Often someone will have noted the day’s water temperature on the small board on the wall. Watch out for undercurrents right by the bathing ladder.
Vis dette opslag på Instagram
Vis dette opslag på Instagram
Nordlandet: The hotel has its own bathing ladder on the cliffs and has recently added a small sauna for hotel guests. The bathing ladder is not wheelchair accessible.
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Snogebæk: The sauna is for members only, but you are welcome to use the ladder.
Sandvig: The sauna in Sandvig has always been accessible to anyone who bought a ticket at the harbour, but there is talk of making the sauna members-only, which I think is a real shame. Fortunately, the bathing ladder and cold water are open to everyone.
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Do keep an eye on the weather and especially the wind when winter swimming. Safety is paramount and there may be undercurrents that visitors are unaware of. So listen to the locals and avoid swimming where the waves crash into the rocks. Also be aware that some jetties are taken down over the winter. That’s why most locals winter swim in harbour areas, as these are often protected by piers.
I hope you’ve been inspired to bring a few friends to this rocky island and give this slightly alternative winter swimming a try.
