Randers Fjord, Udbyhøj

Denmark Coastal 1 - Excellent

Udbyhøj Beach is a 300-metre-long sandy beach located on the northern side of Randers Fjord at the entrance from Kattegat to the fjord. The beach was established in 2004 between the ferry port and the pleasure boat and fishing harbour as part of the municipality's plan to develop sailing and leisure facilities. The beach is approximately 18 metres wide with areas covered in marram grass, and the seabed consists of sand with scattered larger stones and seaweed vegetation. The beach is shallow and child-friendly.

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Water

Randers Fjord, a brackish to saline water body with salinity of 5–18 ‰. Water temperature varies between approximately 10 °C and 20 °C during the bathing season. The fjord is subject to variable currents determined by weather conditions, air pressure, tidal movements, freshwater outflow from the Gudenå system, and incoming saltwater from Kattegat.

Location

Færgevej 52, 8970 Havndal, Denmark. Access to the beach is from the ferry port and fishing harbour via Færgevej and Havnevej respectively. Parking is available.

Facilities

Toilets, disabled toilet, disabled ramp to beach and toilet building, rescue rings and rescue post, emergency telephone, kiosk at fishing harbour, parking area, information board about beach and surroundings, waste bins, tables and benches. Dogs are permitted on the beach but must be kept on a lead and waste must be removed.

Water Quality

Water quality at Udbyhøj Beach has historically been characterised as very good. Annual monitoring by the municipality measures E. coli and enterococci levels. Bacterial levels are low and below the threshold for satisfactory bathing water quality. Bacteria levels are stable, and the municipality is not aware of any known or unknown contamination sources affecting the beach.

Risks

Risk of cyanobacteria blooms is low due to high salinity from Kattegat water. Risk of other microscopic algae blooms is high due to elevated nutrient levels in the fjord. Periodic stranding of large amounts of drifting seaweed/eelgrass is possible. Risk of weever fish occurrence during summer spawning season is minor. Risk of sea lice (Brandmænd) is present in summer, particularly during offshore wind conditions. Risk of oxygen depletion in deeper fjord areas, though minimal at the beach due to shallow depth and current conditions. Low risk of chemical contamination from ships or harbour areas. Risk of faecal contamination from boat toilet tank discharge is low.