Przystań Nautica: A Hidden Gem on Poland's Masurian Lakes
I fell for Przystań Nautica at first sight, while we were still some way off, looking at it from the water. It’s a marina with real character — beautifully maintained, exceptionally well organised and full of charm. I’ll certainly be back. It’s an ideal spot for sailors, but there’s plenty to enjoy even if you don’t have a boat.
Przystań Nautica has been operating for just three years, and one of the things that makes it so welcoming is Robert, the bosun. He’s knowledgeable, genuinely helpful and plays a big part in creating the warm, friendly atmosphere. As a visiting sailor, you really do feel looked after. There’s plenty of water beneath the keel, and the berths are generously spaced, so mooring is fairly straightforward. Another thing I particularly appreciated was the pricing. Once you’ve paid the mooring fee, which covers your berth and use of the marina facilities, there are no irritating extras. That’s a welcome exception in Masuria. You can enjoy a proper shower without anxiously counting the minutes, or pop to the loo without having to rummage around for coins for a machine. It’s a small thing, perhaps, but after a day on the water, it makes all the difference.
During the sailing season, there’s also an excellent open-air restaurant called Manewry Portowe. The dishes are beautifully presented, taste excellent and cost no more than an average meal in a Warsaw restaurant. There’s a bar too, although I didn’t get round to trying it. Judging by the number of people there, though, it seemed to be doing a roaring trade.
Apart from the resident sailors and those taking sailing courses, Przystań Nautica attracts some of Masuria’s most dedicated sailing enthusiasts. And there’s a good reason for that. The marina sits on the northern shore of Lake Święcajty, at the far end of the northern Great Masurian Lakes sailing route, in the small settlement of Kolonia Rybacka. The nearest sizeable town is Węgorzewo. Getting here from the Giżycko area is quite an undertaking. You have to cross several lakes along the way: Kisajno, Dargin, Kirsajty, Mamry and finally Święcajty. There’s an extra challenge, too. To pass beneath the bridge at Kirsajty, you need to lower your mast and then raise it again afterwards. It’s a manoeuvre that takes some know-how and confidence, especially if you’ve never done it before. And there’s simply no getting through with the mast up. Still, it’s well worth learning how to do it and plucking up the courage to give it a go. Przystań Nautica is definitely worth the effort.
The marina was developed with financial support from the Norwegian Funds, and one of its most striking features is the architecture of the harbour buildings. Rather than dominating the landscape, they blend beautifully into their surroundings. Natural materials, particularly timber, have been used throughout, giving the whole place a warm, understated feel. The silhouette of an old sawmill rises above the newer harbour buildings, and somehow everything fits together perfectly. The result is cosy, welcoming and sympathetic to the natural setting. To my eye, it looks as though someone has lifted a little harbour straight from the Scandinavian fjords and set it down on the shores of a Masurian lake. I can only hope no property developer ever decides that this would be the perfect spot for a large luxury hotel. It would be a terrible, irreversible loss for such a picturesque place.
There’s plenty to do here beyond simply mooring up for the night. You can charter a yacht, take a sailing course, unwind in the sauna or hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding area. There’s also a well-maintained little playground for younger children. If you need to stock up on provisions, you can do your shopping in nearby Ogonki.
I spent only half a day at Przystań Nautica, but it was a truly memorable one. Some places have a way of staying with you long after you’ve sailed away. And Nautica has certainly found a permanent berth in my heart.
August 2026
