Stavsnäs, some 40 km east of Stockholm, is one of many settlements included on the steamboat routes that were established back in 1865. The routes also opened up the archipelago to summer guests, including the renowned Swedish musician Evert Taube, whose house, Sjösala, was located just south of Stavsnäs. Due to problems with ice in the winter, a new harbour – Stavsnäs Vinterhamn (winter harbour) – was built further to the east in the 1930s. Even if the steamboats are long gone, it still remains an important port for the central part of the Stockholm archipelago, connecting islands such as Sandhamn, Runmarö, Harö, and Eknö to the mainland.

Stavsnäs Vinterhamn is currently being transformed into a mixed-use development, combining residential, business, and recreation facilities. Central to the development will be a state-of-the-art floating marina for direct access to the beautiful archipelago. The first of two development phases is a 120-metre dock with berths for 70 pleasure boats. As the location is exposed to the bay’s rough waves, the marina is protected by the most advanced 70-metre floating wave attenuator available. Both docks were designed and built by SF Marina in Wallhamn, Sweden. The first phase was completed in June 2020, and the entire marina, with 200 berths, is due to be completed by 2022.