Gelting Bay, Baltic Sea bay in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Gelting Bay is a marine bay on the Lübeck Bay of the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein, stretching from Habernis in the northwest through Wackerballig to Geltinger Birk nature reserve in the east. The shallow seabed consists of limestone and creates a sheltered anchorage.
In May 1945, German naval forces sank 47 U-boats in the bay to prevent their capture by Allied forces. This event marked the end of an era when the waters served as a hiding place for warships.
The region maintains traditional fishing practices, and visitors find regional specialties like Kieler Sprotte and Kartoffelpuffer in local establishments near the water. Daily life here has been connected to the sea and its resources for generations.
The area is easily accessible from the coastal road, and visitors can explore the bay from several viewpoints or along the shores. The best time to visit is during calm weather, when conditions are most comfortable.
From 1975 to 1979, the bay served as an anchorage for up to 14 supertankers during the global oil crisis. This unusual use shows how the site successfully functioned as a harbor for large ships in modern times.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
