On the Baltic you can get to the water almost all year , and every season has its own tricks. Know them and you sleep warm, stay cool and often have the spot almost to yourself. Here’s the honest season guide for spring, summer and autumn.
Spring: cool, windy, gloriously empty
- Sleep warm: the nights are still cold , a sleeping bag with reserve and a mat with a good R-value (see Sleeping and Lying).
- Use the wind: spring often brings the best winds, perfect for kite and wing , but cold water, so mind the wetsuit.
- Check ahead: not every site is open yet, a quick call saves the disappointment.
Summer: keeping the heat in check
In high summer a tent or van quickly turns into a sauna. The key is to ventilate and shade cleverly before reaching for heavy tech.
- Shade first: pitch in the shade early or rig a sun sail/tarp, that lowers the temperature the most.
- Ventilate: cross-ventilate morning and evening, vents open during the day. A 12 V fan helps enormously and uses hardly any power.
- Mobile split air conditioners: for the motorhome or porch there are mobile split units that really cool. Honestly weighed up: they need mains power (or a strong power station), space and an exhaust route, and they aren’t quiet. A real option for long-stay campers in high summer, usually overkill for a weekend in a tent.
- Drink & sun: plenty of water (see Drinking), sun protection and a midday break in the shade.
Mum says: Shade and a through-draught first, tech second. A sun sail and a small fan often save you the expensive, heavy air conditioner.
Autumn: cosy if you do it right
- Mosquito protection, naturally: in late summer the mosquitoes by the water are a nuisance. Much works without chemicals , essential oils like citronella or lavender, a mosquito net over your sleeping spot, long airy clothing at dusk and warm-white light that attracts fewer of them.
- Damp & condensation: the air is clammy , air well, keep things dry, the wetsuit goes on the drying line anyway.
- Light: the days get short, lantern and head torch belong within reach now (see Accessories).
- Heat with care: never use a gas or petrol burner to heat a closed tent , a deadly carbon monoxide risk. Better to dress warm, with a hot water bottle and a warmer sleeping bag.
- Check the weather: take autumn storms seriously, guy the tent storm-proof, change pitch if in doubt.
Mum says: Never heat with an open flame in the tent. A hat, dry socks and a hot water bottle are the safe and cosy solution.
And all year round
Travelling with a dog? Then read what matters first , in With a dog at the spot. And where to pitch in the first place is in Camping right at the spot.
In short: every season works
- Spring: sleep warm, use the wind, check the site is open first.
- Summer: shade and draught first, a 12 V fan, a split unit only for long-stay campers.
- Autumn: natural mosquito protection, air against condensation, light at hand, never heat with a flame.
Note: as soon as our shop and partner links are live, you’ll find concrete recommendations for the fan, mosquito net and the rest here. Until then: the content stands on its own, even without a single click.