There is always activity at Østerby Harbor. The fishermen sit on the quay mending their nets, ice is brought to the cutter before departure, and when the blue fishing cutters return after fishing, there's a bustle as the catch is unloaded. The crates are thrown onto the quay, and shortly after, the truck from Læsø Fish Industry arrives to collect the super-fresh langoustines.

Here you’ll find everything that belongs to a fishing harbor – a shipyard, a net mender, a marine electrician, a smithy, a rescue station, and of course a grocer, an inn, and eateries, as well as a fishmonger.

The free bus Route 840 on Læsø has its final stop at Østerby Harbor and a stop at the Service Center.

The older fishermen also come to the harbor, where they have spent their entire lives. Somewhat jokingly, but lovingly, their meeting place is called "the university." There are certainly many wise observations about life shared here.

Active fishing harbor and tourist attraction.

The harbor dates back to 1905, and since the mid-1970s, the fishing industry has focused on langoustines. Læsø Fish Industry is now one of the world's largest exporters of langoustines.

Try waking up early on a summer morning, take a walk to the harbor, and look out over the sea as the cutters come home. If you're lucky, you might get involved in some conversation with the fishermen. If you're up early, you can easily buy fresh langoustines directly from the cutters.

Marina

BILLEDE

The western part of Østerby Harbor is reserved for recreational sailors and small boats. The harbor has a capacity for around 250 vessels, depending on size, and when the harbor is completely full, such as during the Harbor Festival or Ascension Day in good weather, part of the fishing harbor is also used for the largest ships.

Fishing Harbor

Østerby Harbor is an active fishing harbor with around 20 local cutters based there. The harbor is also regularly visited by non-local fishermen who land langoustines and some bycatch, which is often sold at the local fish market. The fishing harbor also has the capacity to accommodate somewhat larger vessels, and thus wood or fish from Læsø’s large forest areas are regularly shipped out.

Net Mending House

Centrally located in Østerby Harbor is the net mending house, which offers good service facilities for visitors to the harbor. On the first floor, there is the opportunity to cook and eat, and the island's associations also regularly use the space for general meetings, coffee after hikes, and more.

Harbor Office and Campervan Area

The harbor office with a ticket machine is located behind the large restaurant Marina Park, and to the west of it is the newly established campervan area, where visitors can enjoy sea views, as well as both sunrises and sunsets.

Shipyard and Slipway

Østerby Harbor is also home to Østerby Shipyard and the slipway, along with a number of related trades such as marine electricians, blacksmiths, shipfitters, and, uniquely, the shipyard is also a wooden shipyard. There aren't many of these in Denmark, and the shipyard services customers from other parts of the country as well. Østerby Harbor also houses a net maker who supplies nets, ropes, and accessories to seafarers and nets for local playgrounds.

Rescue Station SAR

Østerby Harbor is also the home port for the Østerby Rescue Station, which with two ships, is always ready to assist boats or cutters in distress. The rescue station provides great security for the locals and sailors around Læsø, and there is a contingent of permanent staff and a number of local volunteers who can respond within minutes. Follow them here on their Facebook page.

The Beach at Østerby Harbor

Just west of Østerby Harbor lies Østerby Beach, a very beautiful and long sandy beach with excellent opportunities for a dip. It’s perhaps not as child-friendly as Vesterø Beach, but still a lovely beach. On the east side of Østerby Harbor, the beach is rocky, offering great opportunities to find interesting stones, and if you continue eastward, you’ll reach Jegens, Danzigmand, and Bløden Hale – all great spots for amber hunters.

A Good Stop on the Ø-Camino

Østerby Harbor is located on Læsø's 66 km long Ø-Camino and marks the end of stage one and the beginning of stage two. There are several good accommodation options in Østerby Harbor, also for hikers.