Hullehavn Beach

Location and character

Hullehavn lies on the eastern edge of Svaneke, making it one of the easternmost bathing spots on Bornholm. It is just a five to ten minute walk from the town centre and the picturesque harbour. Really, Hullehavn is just one of many small coves along the rocky coastline, but that is exactly its charm - on roughly 1,000 square metres, a mini sandy beach has been built up and the bay laid out like an open-air swimming pool facing the sea, diving tower included.

At the shoreline, the first few metres of water are extremely shallow and occasionally a little weedy, which suits small children well. Beyond the bay, the seabed drops away quickly, reaching depths of over ten metres. Steps and a wooden ramp make it easier to get into the water. Based on measurements from 2016 to 2019, bathing water quality is rated excellent; in high summer there can occasionally be a harmless algae bloom.

What to expect

Despite the tight space, the shoreline feels idyllic. It only gets really busy on the hottest days, when many locals come for a quick swim before or after work. For such a small spot, the facilities are solid - there are toilets, a bathing ladder, the diving tower, a kiosk and a lifeguard post.

Right behind the beach, the colourful beach café Syd-Øst for Paradis ("Southeast of Paradise") serves visitors. From 10:00 there is breakfast, sandwiches and coffee, and in the evening Spanish-inspired tapas and cava. In summer there is live music outdoors almost every evening, and the café does not close until the music and the crowd wind down - a good spot to see out a warm summer evening. For more on the island's smokehouse and dining traditions, see our food and drink guide.

Diving and snorkelling

Hullehavn is known well beyond its bathing appeal. The Baltic Sea here offers very good visibility, and the rocks off the coast are among Bornholm's best diving and snorkelling spots. Divers go straight in from the bay, and sea kayakers also like to use the beach as a rest stop on their route along the east coast. With a mask and snorkel, the underwater world around the diving tower is well worth exploring.

The Svaneke Fyr lighthouse

Above the beach stands the striking Svaneke Fyr lighthouse with its red roof. Its light was switched off on 1 August 2011; since then the tower no longer serves shipping and has instead been converted into holiday accommodation. The house sleeps eight and can be booked year-round (address Skovgade 28, Svaneke). As a photo subject, the lighthouse remains hard to beat. For an overview of the island's finest towers, see our lighthouses guide.

Getting there and practicalities

Hullehavn lies on the eastern edge of Svaneke and is signposted. A small car park (Ved Stranden) is around 500 metres away, reached via Søndergade and Route 158; capacity is limited and fills up quickly on hot days. The easiest way there is on foot from Svaneke anyway, whose centre - with its half-timbered houses, harbour and well-known chocolate, caramel and sweet manufacturers - is only a few minutes away.

If you are after more sand and space, head to the south coast - Balka Beach near Nexø is one of the island's most family-friendly bathing bays. For an overview of all the beaches, see our beaches guide.