Croatia's thousand islands give you more anchorage choices than any week-long charter can cover. The ones listed here are the stops that justify the detour — some for scenery, some for food, some for the simple fact that they are quiet when everything else is full.
Palmižana, Sveti Klement (Pakleni Islands)
The bay on the north-east side of Sveti Klement island, opposite Hvar Town. Palmižana is a botanical garden turned restaurant complex — the Meneghello family have been here since the 1970s, and the restaurant in the garden serves exceptionally good food. The bay is also one of the cleaner anchorages near Hvar, with good holding in 5–10m on sand.
Approach: Enter from the east, keeping clear of the rocks off the south-east tip of Sveti Klement. The bay is well-marked and the holding is good throughout. It fills up in July and August — arrive before 1400.
Rukavac, Vis Island
A sheltered cove on the south coast of Vis, open only to the south. Crystal water, a pebble beach, and a single konoba that serves grilled fish and local wine at tables under pine trees. One of the most pleasant lunchtime anchorages on the Dalmatian coast. Anchor in 4–8m on sand and weed — the weed patches mean holding can be variable; set the anchor carefully.
Stiniva, Vis Island
A dramatic cove on the south coast of Vis, accessible through a narrow gap in the cliffs. The gap is too narrow for most yachts to enter under sail — approach under engine, moving slowly. Inside, the cove is almost perfectly circular. Anchor in 4–6m. Extremely popular; often full by midday in summer. Worth the early start.
Korčula Town
The medieval city on its peninsula is one of the finest urban anchorages on the Croatian coast. Berth stern-to on the town quay (VHF 17 for the harbour master) or at the ACI Marina Korčula on the west side of the peninsula. The town itself — walls, towers, the Cathedral of St Mark — is walkable in an hour and worth every minute.
Mljet National Park — Polače
The anchorage at Polače in the national park is the gateway to the Mljet Lakes. Moor on the national park buoys (paid) or anchor in the bay. The ruins of a 5th-century Roman palace stand at the head of the bay — somewhat lost among the restaurants. Pay the park entrance fee here; it covers access to the lakes and the island monastery.
Kornati National Park
The Kornati archipelago north of Šibenik is the largest concentration of islands, islets, and reefs in the Adriatic — 89 islands covering 220 square kilometres, almost entirely uninhabited. Cruising the Kornati requires a national park permit (available in advance or at the park office in Murter). The anchorages — Lavsa, Kravljačica, Strižnja — are among the most dramatic in the Mediterranean: white limestone cliffs dropping into blue-green water with no sign of human habitation.
Note: The Kornati has no provisioning, no fuel, and no mobile signal in many areas. Go prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there fees for anchoring in Croatia?
A: Croatia operates an anchoring charge (nautički paušal) for vessels anchoring in national waters — approximately €30–60 per day depending on vessel size. This is in addition to the Croatian cruising licence (Vignette). National park areas (Kornati, Mljet) charge separate entrance fees.
Q: What's the best anchorage for a first night in Croatia?
A: Palmižana — easy approach, good holding, excellent food, and close enough to Hvar Town to get provisions if you've forgotten anything.