Zimny Kąt Bay: An Atmospheric Night at Anchor on Lake Kisajno
Zimny Kąt Bay on Lake Kisajno is a lovely place to spend the night after sailing the picturesque Swan Trail (Łabędzi Szlak). A popular stopping point for visiting yachts is the local Binduga – a traditional, informal shoreside mooring area near the entrance to the bay. We, however, decided to drop anchor right at the far end, well away from the other boats. We could hear sea shanties drifting across the water from somewhere in the distance, but our little corner of the bay was wonderfully peaceful and secluded.
The bay lies in the north-western part of Lake Kisajno. Approaching from Giżycko or Piękna Góra, you can take the scenic Swan Trail (Łabędzi Szlak), which winds between the islands and sheltered inlets along the western side of the lake. This route brings you through the narrow passage between Gucki Róg and Górny Ostrów Island before entering Zimny Kąt Bay. Alternatively, you can take the main stretch of Lake Kisajno, passing to the east of the islands before heading west towards the bay. Take particular care in the vicinity of Wielka Kiermuza Island, where there are submerged hazards, and keep a close eye on your up-to-date chart and the navigation marks.
What we loved most about Zimny Kąt was having enough room to find a quiet anchorage away from everyone else. Our only visitors were a few ducks, although we could hear plenty of other birds calling from the surrounding woodland. It’s a beautiful corner of the Masurian Lakes. The weather was constantly changing while we were there. It was here that I spotted the first rainbow of our trip. The clouds were absolutely spectacular, and the setting sun lit up the treeline in the most wonderful way. The evening, and the night that followed, were just as magical.
If you fancy a pizza from a floating cabin, there’s a place nearby called Bar Sauna Zimy, where you can pull alongside the jetty. Apparently, they have a sauna as well. Is the pizza any good? I couldn’t say, as we didn’t try it. We were quite happy to stay aboard, cook our own dinner and enjoy a peaceful evening. I still look back on it with real affection.
The one drawback to Zimny Kąt is that the bottom is heavily weeded and parts of the bay are quite shallow. Algal blooms can occur here too, so it’s worth checking the water conditions before going for a swim.
There were no warnings in place when we visited. We had a wonderful time, and I’ll always associate Zimny Kąt with that rainbow and those extraordinary clouds. It was one of those simple, lovely evenings afloat that stay with you long after the trip is over. I’d happily anchor here again.
August 2026
