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Stokken, an
idyllic ancorage among Kristiansand’s skerries.
You
can’t avoid sailing through Randøysund (the Randøy strait), if you
choose the eastern route towards Kristiansand,
This
is where you enter into shallow waters, after an often wet and
uncomfortable crossing over the Kvåsefjord.
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In
summertime the area is swarming with people in holyday mood and local boat
enthusiasts, who are enjoying sun and summer.
A
lot of people pass this beautiful island, so close to Kristiansand. Those who
choose to stop, usually prefer to moor at Stokken. Here you find two nice
outports, both with recreational areas, piers, toilets and dustbins. And as in
all outports in Norway, it is free.
When
you enter Randøysund from east, after having crossed the Kvåsefjord, you look
straight on towards the first harbor. On the map it’s on the eastern side of
West Randøya’s northern part, where long and narrow skerries and islets forms
a perfect harbor on the inside. The best way to enter is from the north. It
might look a little bit mixed up on the map, but it is perfectly safe if you
watch out. And there are some
private spar buoys to help you on the way as well. Inside on a nice summer day,
you will always find a lot of boats moored to the pier or alongside one of the
skerries. But it is always room for one more, and it’s a good opportunity to
get to know the locals as well.
You may choose to
continue to the next little bay, just south of the outlet. Perhaps you
find this spot a little bit more uncomfortable because of all the boats
passing through the strait, but in return you can enjoy the sunshine much
longer on this side of the island.
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Stokken
has a lot of opportunities if you don’t want to hurry away to Kristiansand,
the capital of Southern Norway, at once.
The
kids are hanging over the edge of the pier, with their crab-lines in one hand
and the nets in the other. Buckets,
half filled with water, crabs and some confused shrimps, standing beside
them.
Some
older boys are fishing, and a couple of others are playing football on one of
the many grass fields on the island.
In
the water a couple of kids are swimming, while a mother is trying to get them
out of the water. It’ so hot, they complain, blue around their mouths and the
teeth chattering with cold.
For
those who like a lonely walk it’s a wonderful touring ground on the island.
You walk through the pinewood forest, along the slope of naked rocks and over
flowery meadows.
If
you are more of the relaxing type, just take out the deck chair, open a cold
bottle of beer and enjoy life.
Skippergata (The skipper’s
lane) is opening towards the strait and invites to a visit.
This is one of the most
idyllic places you can imagine, with the old skipper’s houses built close
together on both sides of the narrow strait.
This is where the skippers
settled in old days, after having retired. Sheltered and safe, but still near
the sea they loved.
The best way to visit
Skippergata, is with your dingy. The strait is narrow and shallow, only 0.8 m
deep and there are also some wires crossing low .
Use your time and feel the
atmosphere and experience this Southern-Norway culture from another time.
The dingy is also perfect if
you want to visit Tømmerstø
, inside of Herøya/Teisholmen, 500m west of Stokken.
Here you can find a grocery
shop with most of what you need. It’s open every day (even Sundays) in
the season (15. June – 15. August) from 9am – 10 pm.
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You can also find a small
restaurant, Rio Pizza Tømmerstø brygge, with tables outside and take away
service. And if you want to visit Kristiansand, without taking the boat into
Ktistiansand marina, you can catch a bus
from Tømmerstø to the city.
Good links if you want to know
more about Kristiansand and the Kristiansand area.
Oppdatert 15.10.03 av Cecilie
Simon Husebye
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