We have explored these spots:
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The word "Müritz" comes from the Slavic language and means something like "small sea". After Lake Constance, Müritz is the second largest lake in Germany and the largest lake that lies entirely within Germany. Together with hundreds of smaller lakes, it forms the Mecklenburg Lake District, the largest network of lakes in Central Europe. The largely unspoilt shores are bordered by forests, nature reserves and wet meadows. Secluded bays, reed-covered shores and water lily paradises create a special kind of natural idyll. We are in the land of a thousand lakes: Meck-Pomm at its most beautiful! Compared to these dimensions, the Müritz leads an extremely tranquil existence as far as windsurfing is concerned. And this is by no means due to the wind conditions, which make no secret of their proximity to the Baltic Sea. Somehow, everyone thinks that if I'm on the motorway 100 kilometres from the Baltic Sea, then I'll be able to surf all the way to the sea. You can, but you don't have to. If you keep driving, you'll miss the best part! And that doesn't come at the end. It's right in the centre of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - here on the Müritz.
Idyll far and wide
The Müritz has retained much of its natural beauty, has been spared concrete castles and is surrounded by three nature reserves, the largest of which covers the entire north-east of the lake, the Müritz National Park, Germany's largest national park.
The Großer Schwerin and Steinhorn peninsulas and their surroundings in the south-west and the Müritz steep bank near Rechlin in the south-east of the lake are also designated as smaller nature reserves: No-go areas for all water sports enthusiasts! The entire rest of the Müritz is a nature reserve. Here, too, care is taken to ensure that tourism and water sports take place in an environmentally friendly manner, which is very welcome and preserves the charm of the landscape.
This is precisely why you can find wonderful spots that have retained their naturalness and are often perfectly ventilated. This applies to both the eastern and western shores. There is no north or south bank due to the elongated north-south location. The Müritz stretches around 18 kilometres from north to south and around nine kilometres from east to west. Depending on how you measure it, you can get a little more. These are quite different dimensions to some inland lakes. There is plenty of space for everyone on 117 square kilometres. Nowhere else are so few surfers spread over such a large area.
If a westerly or easterly front comes along, the jump ramps can be over 1.50 metres high, especially as waves have plenty of time to build up. With wind forces of six, surf-experienced surfers have a clear advantage in onshore winds. However, with wind forces of four, the Müritz is generally more of a freeride area, where larger sails over seven square metres make sense and can help beginners and intermediates alike to take the next step. In comparison to the Baltic Sea coast, you can lose an average of two to four knots here, which you can often compensate for with a larger sail or a foil if you wish. But a comparison is actually out of the question - you don't compare apples with pears. If you prefer travelling on fresh water and want to freeride in a relaxed manner with plenty of space in unspoilt nature, this is the perfect place for you.
In high summer, it can get crowded on the beach - like almost everywhere else. Young and old make a pilgrimage to the cool water. However, the bathers retreat from five wind forces onwards. Then there is plenty of space on the beach and it's showtime on the water.
However, this could change here on the Müritz. Finally, a heartfelt request: The Müritz and the Kölpinsee - embedded in the Mecklenburg Lake District - are almost unique in Germany in terms of their natural beauty. We windsurfers in particular feel a great affinity with nature, which we should live and visibly put into practice every time we visit a spot. The topics range from keeping away from reed beds and breeding grounds to taking all rubbish with you, being generally considerate, avoiding noise and much more.
The Müritz and the Kölpinsee are a gem that can be preserved even when the surfing slumber comes to an end (hopefully gently). At some point, the non-surfers will have to realise that there is no need to set up national parks with surfing bans because of us. The earth doesn't need us, but we need Mother Earth. The actions of each individual make the difference. But now have fun with the guide. Mahalo!
If you want to freeride in a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of space, in unspoilt nature, this is the place to be.
The best windsurfing spots on the Müritz
1st Boek C16
The Boek C16 campsite on the eastern shore offers a beautiful standing area, a fantastic sandy beach and a large sunbathing area. The fine sandy beach slopes very gently and you can still stand 500 metres out, there are no stones here and the water is absolutely clear. The bay itself is only about 50 metres wide and the water in the bay can be so shallow that you first have to walk out a few metres before you can come up without touching the bottom with your fin.
The large sunbathing lawn also has a volleyball court. Equipment can be hired from the "Surf-Hecht" surfing and canoeing centre located directly on the beach.
The best wind direction in Boek is south-west to north-west, otherwise there is wind cover due to the high shore trees. With a stable westerly aspect, kilometres of strokes on crystal-clear water are possible. Access to the spot is only possible via the Boek campsite, for which a day ticket must be purchased. In the summer months, the standing area can be crowded with swimmers, who should be taken into consideration.
2nd Boeker Mühle
Boeker Mühle is also located on the eastern bank of the Müritz, north of Rechlin and south of the Boek C16 campsite. The spot borders on two nature reserves.
You can access the spot via the "Bolter Ufer" campsite. About 200 metres further out you can stand on beautiful sand. The water sports beach is located in front of the northern part of the campsite and can also be accessed directly via a small forest path. From this car park it is only about 50 metres to the water. The car park is easy to find: leave the tarmac access road at the left-hand bend and continue straight ahead. Parking here is free of charge. The best wind direction at Böker Mühle is south-west to north, otherwise there is strong wind cover from the tall trees. At night, the car parks for motorhomes and caravans are closed to the NW. In the summer months, many swimmers can also be found in the shore area here.
3 Gotthun Nitschow
On the western shore near Gotthun is a wonderful freeride spot with only a moderate wave. Only when there is a stable, strong easterly wind does a decent wind wave build up in front of the Nitschow campsite.
For five euros a day, you get access via the campsite. In return, you park right at the entrance and have the entire infrastructure of the campsite at your disposal. There is also a large sunbathing lawn here, which you can use for rigging up. The narrow sandy beach quickly becomes pebbly in the water and it slopes gently so that you can stand for the first fifty metres.
Gotthun Nitschow works with all easterly wind directions. An easterly wind comes 90 degrees onshore. If the wind is southeasterly, you should head out into the "open sea" and if the wind is northeasterly, you should jibe into the water at a sufficient distance from the Großer Schwerin nature reserve after about two kilometres. South-easterly winds are less frequent and not as constant as those from the north-east. The occasional local evening thermal, known by the locals as a half-five or half-eight thermal (it usually sets in at these times), makes for a cool evening session, but is neither constant nor directionally consistent. Westerly winds are covered by trees and the hilly hinterland and are correspondingly gusty. In westerly winds, you are definitely better off on the opposite side in Boeker Mühle or Boek. If the journey there is too far, there is a very special alternative tip at spot number five.
4 Gotthun Hirschberg
Freeriders and freewavers get their money's worth here with north-easterly to easterly winds. The wind strength determines the wave height, which can build up over several kilometres. In north-west to north-north-east winds, a flat water slope attracts slalom pilots onto the water. The wind can blow in freely and then blow diagonally or fully onshore. There are two rows of cages in the east of the spot. Approximately the first 100 metres are a standing area before the Müritz deepens.
At the Hirschberg campsite, you enter a small, shallow bay surrounded by reeds. The ground is partly sandy and partly pebbly. To get into the wind, you have to push out a few metres in an easterly direction. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to judge the wind outside. Access is via a small, paid car park in front of the campsite. Here, too, you have to buy a day ticket. In return, there is a large meadow for rigging and the campsite infrastructure. Whether Nitschow or Hirschberg, if you want to go soulsurfing away from the crowds, you will always come back.
5th nudist beach Klink Kölpinsee
If you're staying on the west bank of the Müritz and don't want to travel the long way over to Boek when the wind blows from the west, here's a very special tip: the nudist beach on the neighbouring lake, Kölpinsee! Four kilometres north of Gotthun lies the village of Klink. The banks of the Müritz and the Kölpinsee are only a few hundred metres apart. At the northern end of the village, follow the sign "FKK-Strand" (naturist beach). The path leads to the Kölpinsee to a large car park just before the spot, which works in winds from the west to north-northwest.
Instead of letting your clothes off - which is expressly permitted here - it is better to wear a wetsuit when the wind is blowing from the west. But be careful, the water is very shallow for the first 60 to 100 metres. If you are travelling with a single fin, you should run out a few fin-friendly metres with your equipment before ascending. With a WNW to NNW wind force of over five, a considerable inland wave builds up, especially as the wind works over four kilometres of water before the result rolls in at the nudist beach in Klink. Above the shallow shore area, the wave then takes it up another notch: airtime is the order of the day here! Caution: Don't jibe too close to the shore! By the way: nudists and surfers don't actually get in each other's way here: when the flags are waving in the wind, it's surfers' time. So far, however, only a few windsurfers have this marvellous spot on their radar.
6. goods funmüritz
The address of the funmüritz water sports centre "Zur Stillen Bucht 3" is sometimes deceptive, as Chris reports. He and Katja, the two owners of funmüritz, also glide across the water here from time to time with their 4-person sails. Especially when a strong south-south-westerly wind pushes the windswell of the Müritz right into the funnel to the Binnenmüritz. The narrow section between funmüritz and the Ecktannen campsite opposite down to the Waldschänke is where the highest waves on the Müritz are created. Chris beams: "Then it's the ultimate airtime off funmüritz!" Two metre waves measured by the water police! The only time you see something like that on a German inland waterway is during a Föhn storm on Lake Constance.
The spot works in southerly to south-westerly winds, but also in easterly winds, even if these have less contact area in the Binnenmüritz and therefore fewer waves. In light winds, beginners and intermediates get their money's worth at this all-round spot. From a wind force of four, freeriding is the order of the day here on the Binnenmüritz. Beyond five Beaufort, the wave sails are rigged by a few specialists. Most of the time, however, Chris and Katja celebrate their jumps here alone. From funmüritz you are in the centre of the southerly current after one beat. And then it really takes off. If the wind blows from the south to south-west, you can also start at the Ecktannen campsite opposite.
Spot info Müritz
Journey
It is just 140 kilometres from Berlin to Müritz, which can be covered in 1.5 hours via the A24 and A19 motorways. On the way to Rostock, leave the A19 at the Röbel/Müritz exit, turn left onto the L241 in Dambeck after 1.5 kilometres and arrive in Röbel eight kilometres later. Gotthun is four kilometres away and the west wind spots in Boeker Mühle and Boek are another 21 to 25 kilometres away via Rechlin.
From Hamburg, it's 180 km via the A24 and 30 km via the A19 to reach the Müritz after leaving the motorway and another ten kilometres.
After an hour's drive and just over 100 kilometres from Müritz, you are in Rostock.
Wind, weather and neoprene tips
Apart from the winter months, the wind statistics provide around 20 per cent gliding wind from April to October, and less in the hot summer months. That adds up to around one week of gliding wind per month. Mind you, this is a long-term statistical average. It is often enough for foiling.
For a successful surf session, however, the statistics fall short and are only of limited significance. The wind direction and strength on the Müritz depend on the general weather situation. In fact, it is mainly predictable low pressure areas from the west as well as stable fair-weather easterly currents that determine surfing life here. If high pressure builds up over Central Europe in summer, a moderate south-easterly to southerly wind can also develop, depending on the position of the high pressure area. If the area of high pressure weakens, a westerly wind current often follows, which can reach gale force in autumn.
With strong sunlight and low pressure differences, a so-called zephyr wind, a local thermal, sometimes forms. Air masses warmed by the sun rise around the Müritz. The resulting low air pressure over land causes cooler air to flow in from the lake. However, this effect only occurs at the edges of the Müritz, is not covered by official wind forecasts and is sometimes suitable for a crisp evening session, called "half-eight thermals" on the western shore, Gotthun local Thorsten tells us. This kind of wind can only develop in the right weather conditions on large, compact bodies of water, which the Müritz has in contrast to many other inland waters. Apart from that, a look at the well-known wind forecast portals usually leads to a session that can be planned well. The water temperature rises to a pleasant 22 degrees in summer, sometimes even higher. However, with good wind and corresponding water circulation, it can fall well below 20 degrees even in midsummer. A 3/2 long sleeve neoprene should not be missing from your luggage. But neither should a shorty in midsummer. In spring, a 4/5 wetsuit with shoes is recommended.
Living & Camping
There is accommodation of all categories and price ranges on site. As the main spots are located directly next to campsites, it is advisable to arrive by campervan and to book early in the high season. Especially in the warmer months of the year, you will already be on site and there is no need to search for a parking space at the spot. On windy summer days during the holidays, the few places outside the campsites are already full in the morning.
- Campsite Boek C16 , Boek
- Campsite Bolter Ufer C15 Boeker Mühle
- Müritz-Camp Gotthun (2 pitches: Nitschow and Hirschberg). Not a party campsite. Kiting and jet skiing are also prohibited
- Cameroon Camping Park , Goods
- Camping Ludorf
- Campsite Sietower Bucht , Sietow village
Surf stations
At the C16 campsite in Boek, the surfing and canoeing base "Surf pike" equipment directly at the entrance to the spot. There is surfing equipment for all skill levels as well as surfing courses. As a VDWS instructor and nature and landscape guide for the Müritz National Park, Mirko runs the surfing centre at one of the most beautiful and largest flat-water spots in Germany.
Two kilometres to the south is the Catamaran and surf mill at the Bolter Ufer C15 campsite. Moni and her team offer everything to do with water sports, including surfing equipment for advanced surfers. Here, too, you will find pure shallow water that glows turquoise in the sun. Moni offers everything from catamaran sailing courses, SUP, water skiing, wakeboarding and swimming courses to sports boat licences and skipper training, and even accommodation in Moni's surf house.
On the Binnenmüritz at the northern end of the Müritz, just before Waren, lies the funmüritz water sports centre directly in front of the Kamerun camping park. Christoph and Katja have been running the centre for ten years and hire out surf equipment, mainly to beginners and intermediates. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, catamarans and dinghies. The address "Zur Stillen Bucht 3" is sometimes deceptive, as Chris reports. He and Katja glide across the water here from time to time with their 4-person sails. Find out more at spot number six (Waren funmüritz). Chris is a passionate windsurfer and an expert on the Müritz winds, which he will be happy to explain to you over a coffee.
Alternative programme
On windless days, the Müritz turns out to be a SUP nature paradise. No matter where you put your board in the water, the lake fascinates with its unspoilt nature over long stretches. But the lake and the neighbouring waters also offer unforgettable tours in kayaks or canoes. If you want to explore the Kölpinsee to the west through the Reeckkanal, you will pass the Damerower Werder on the right-hand side on the way to the Fleesensee, a nature reserve that is home to bison. The animals look like shaggy buffaloes and can occasionally be spotted from the water on the shore - a rustic scene.
You can get information about the tours for the western shore and the lakes to the west of the Müritz from Chris and Katja at funmüritz, including accommodation tips! If you can credibly claim to be a nature lover, you'll get some particularly worthwhile tips!
SUPs, kayaks, canoes, catamarans and sailing boats are also available in Boek and Boeker Mühle on the east bank. We recommend paddling close to the shore to avoid any nasty surprises if the weather changes. Here, too, it is important to check the local weather forecast, and not just for surfing sessions.
In addition to windsurfing instructors, the Surf-Hecht team also includes canoe guides and SUP trainers. The centre is located at the southern and western end of the Müritz National Park. Guided kayak and SUP tours are worthwhile in view of the neighbouring national park and promise a special experience.
Those who enjoy extended hikes into an impressive animal world will find an almost endless refuge in the Müritz National Park. Tours are offered by the National Park Service Either on foot or by bike to the most beautiful places where eagles, cranes and deer come together.
Surf instructor seminars, sports boat licence courses or skipper training can be booked during your camping holiday at the Surfmühle. Guided tours with kayaks, canoes and SUPs are also available here.
A visit to the Aviation Museum Rechlin is worth it - impressive!
Further information on the Müritz Portal or Mecklenburg Lake District .
