Sailing through the Oder Lagoon – from Świnoujście to Szczecin

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Oder Lagoon stretches between Poland and Germany, inside the islands of Usedom and Wolin. We got to experience the area from the water when we sailed from Świnoujście to Szczecin – a journey of around seven hours through canals and open water, accompanied by a whole retinue of sailboats.

The Oder Lagoon – between Poland and Germany

Oder Lagoon, in Polish Szczecin Lake and in German Szczecin Lagoon, is a large area of brackish water on the border between Poland and Germany. The lagoon lies within the islands of Usedom and Wolin and is thus separated from the Baltic Sea. In the south, the Oder River flows into it, which gives the lagoon its Swedish name.

The lagoon is relatively shallow, with an average depth of about four meters. However, a much deeper waterway runs through the area, which allows large ships to travel between the Baltic Sea and the port of Szczecin. In addition to merchant ships and ferries, there are many pleasure boats and sailboats in the area.

The Oder Lagoon is usually divided into two parts: Small Lagoon on the German side and Great Lake in Polish. For us, the lagoon became above all an exciting waterway between Świnoujście and Szczecin – and an area that we had barely heard of before.

From the Baltic Sea to Szczecin

Although Szczecin is located quite a distance from the Baltic Sea coast, the city is an important port city with connections to the sea. From the Baltic Sea, the shipping route enters at Świnoujście and continues south through the Świna and Piast Canal to the Oder Lagoon. From there, the journey continues towards the Oder and Szczecin.

The entire waterway between Świnoujście and Szczecin is around 80 kilometres long and has been expanded, regulated and deepened over the centuries to allow larger ships to reach the port of Szczecin.

For us who traveled by sailboat It was a varied trip. We left the Baltic coast at Świnoujście and traveled through narrower waters and canals before the landscape opened up over the Oder Lagoon. During the trip we encountered both small pleasure boats and much larger merchant ships on their way to and from Szczecin.

The Piast Canal – the shortcut through Uznam

An important part of the waterway is the Piast Canal, Piastowski Canal, which was dug through the southeastern part of the island of Uznam in the 1870s. The canal was originally called Kaiserfahrt and was opened in 1880. The aim was to create a shorter and safer waterway between Świnoujście and Szczecin and avoid the older, more difficult route through the shallow and winding waters of Świna.

The construction of the canal also had an interesting geographical consequence. When digging through Uznam, part of the island was cut off and Karsibór became its own island. The new waterway became of great importance for the port of Szczecin, as larger ships could now more easily travel all the way between the Baltic Sea and Szczecin.

Our sailing from Świnoujście to Szczecin

We sailed as part of the South Coast Baltic Boating Rally, where 28 boats with participants from seven countries sailed together. After a skipper's meeting the night before – fittingly in the beach huts of Świnoujście – it was an early departure the next morning.

First we made a small detour out to the Baltic Sea to take photos at Stawa Młyny, the characteristic white lighthouse that has become a symbol of Świnoujście. Then we turned south and headed towards Szczecin.

The journey involved both sailing and motoring, open water and narrower passages. At the same time, we encountered everything from small pleasure boats to large merchant ships on their way to and from the port of Szczecin. In total, our journey took about seven hours.

Arriving in Szczecin

After about seven hours of driving, we arrived in the city. Szczecin in Poland, or Stettin as the city is called in German. This is Poland's seventh largest city and when we arrived there were festivities going on with stalls, lights, music and lots of people in the streets. Fantastic atmosphere!

More to experience around the Oder Lagoon

There is much to see and experience in the area around the Oder Lagoon. Here you will find reports with tips and inspiration.

• Świnoujście
• Usedom
• Szczecin
• Krummin guest harbour