Borsh Beach Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Borshi Beach, Plazhi i Borshit
Borsh Beach is the longest sand beach in Albania (2km), located 20km north of Sarandë on the Riviera coast. A flat arc of fine sand backed by ancient olive groves and the steep Ceraunian Mountains, the beach provides anchorage in 4–10m over consistently good holding sand. The Ceraunian mountain mass behind the beach blocks N and NE but the anchorage is fully exposed to SW and W from the open Ionian Sea — the fundamental limitation of every anchorage on this coast. The new coastal road SH8 now provides direct land access, bringing summer visitors by car, but the offshore anchorage remains relatively uncrowded compared to Dhërmi or Ksamil. A seasonal restaurant and small beach facilities operate in summer. The village of Borsh sits on the hillside above the olive groves — worth visiting for the old Ottoman castle and views along the coast.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
39°59.1'N 19°55.9'E
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE
Exposed To
SW, W
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor. No facilities or fees at the anchorage.
Clearance Agent
Required — ~€100–150
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m covers standard swing in 4–8m at the main Borsh Beach anchorage with 5:1 scope. The beach arc is 2km long with no obstacles limiting swing, so the radius is set conservatively to account for scope extension in any evening NW breeze. The dominant risk here is not anchor drag — the sand holding is reliable — but SW or W swell building during the night. Set the alarm and monitor the evening forecast; the Ionian SW exposure means conditions can deteriorate faster than forecasts suggest. In any SW wind above F3, prepare to depart rather than ride it out at this exposed anchorage.
Main beach 4–8m sand: 75m — The main anchorage off the central section of Borsh Beach in 4–8m on clean sand.
S end near headland 3–7m sand: 65m — The S end of Borsh Beach in 3–7m on sand, positioned slightly closer to the S headland that provides a modest degree of S shelter in addition to the standard N/NE protection from the hills.
Anchoring Zones
Borsh Beach has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.
Zone 1: Main beach 4–8m sand
- Depth: 4–8m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE
- Exposed to: SW, W
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
The main anchorage off the central section of Borsh Beach in 4–8m on clean sand. The longest sand beach in Albania (2km) provides a flat arc of holding ground with consistently good sand. The coastal hills and Ceraunian Mountains behind the beach provide meaningful protection from N and NE. Fully exposed to SW and W swell from the open Ionian — in any SW F3 or above conditions the anchorage becomes uncomfortable; in F4+ it is untenable. Holding on sand is excellent once set — use engine reverse to confirm before going below. The beach is accessible from the coastal road SH8, so summer beach activity is moderate, but the anchorage offshore is generally clear of motorised water traffic except in peak July–August.
Zone 2: S end near headland 3–7m sand
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, S
- Exposed to: SW, W
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
The S end of Borsh Beach in 3–7m on sand, positioned slightly closer to the S headland that provides a modest degree of S shelter in addition to the standard N/NE protection from the hills. Holding is good on sand throughout. Slightly shallower than the central section — approach slowly on echosounder in the final 200m. The headland does not provide protection from the dominant SW threat but reduces confusion from any S-component swell. This position is quieter than the central beach in summer as the main beach activity concentrates midway along the 2km arc. A seasonal restaurant operates at the N end of the beach.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Borsh Beach is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Check the forecast for Llogara Pass gusts before anchoring — if cloud is streaming over the 1,027m summit, consider Porto Palermo or Sarandë instead. Watch for katabatic gusts throughout your stay.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
- Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Borsh Beach are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to SW and W winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below. 75m covers standard swing in 4–8m at the main Borsh Beach anchorage with 5:1 scope. The beach arc is 2km long with no obstacles limiting swing, so the radius is set conservatively to account for scope extension in any evening NW breeze. The dominant risk here is not anchor drag — the sand holding is reliable — but SW or W swell building during the night. Set the alarm and monitor the evening forecast; the Ionian SW exposure means conditions can deteriorate faster than forecasts suggest. In any SW wind above F3, prepare to depart rather than ride it out at this exposed anchorage.
Best May–October. May and June are excellent: calm mornings, empty beach, olive groves in full leaf. July–August: beach busy from SH8 road visitors but anchorage manageable; SW swell risk is at its seasonal peak — monitor forecasts daily. September is ideal: beach quiet, summer heat tapering, water warm, swell frequency reducing. October viable in settled weather. Not recommended November–April due to increased SW swell and reduced facilities.
Navigation Hazards
- SW and W swell exposure: the anchorage is fully open to the Ionian Sea in the SW and W quadrant; F3+ SW generates uncomfortable rolling; F4+ makes the anchorage untenable; monitor Ionian swell forecasts carefully before overnighting
- Llogara katabatic gusts: Llogara Pass (1,027m) is 15km to the NW; when clouds form over the pass, katabatic gusts can reach sea level rapidly — this is a less severe risk at Borsh than at Llogara Bay but remains relevant in unstable NW flow
- Jet skis and beach speedboats: July–August sees seasonal water activity from the beach; anchor at appropriate distance from the beach (100m+) to stay clear of jet ski zones
- Coastal road traffic noise: SH8 coastal road runs close to the beach and is now accessible by car — the beach is no longer a remote anchorage and summer noise levels are higher than the location suggests
Rules & Regulations
- Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). Fly yellow Q flag. Himarë is a port of entry June–September only; outside summer season, clear at Sarandë or Vlorë.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor. No facilities or fees at the anchorage.
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: No specific anchoring restrictions at Borsh. Avoid anchoring close to the beach swimming zone (stay 50m+ offshore). Keep clear of any posidonia meadows — probe for sand before committing anchor. All boats must have cleared in at an official port of entry before anchoring here.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Himarë town (8km N) (4.5nm)
- Restaurant: Seasonal beach bar/restaurant at the N end of the beach operates July–August (cash only, ALL/EUR). Village of Borsh: small shop with basic supplies (30-minute walk up the hillside). Full provisioning nearest at Sarandë (20km S) or Himarë (8km N). No dockside water or fuel — arrive fully provisioned.
- Provisions: None on site — Himarë town (8km N) (4.5nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Borsh is best enjoyed as a morning anchorage: glass-calm Ionian mornings are common from May to September; swim, explore the beach, and depart by mid-afternoon before the Maestral builds from the SW
- The olive groves behind the beach are ancient — some trees are centuries old; the beach-to-olive grove transition is one of the most beautiful landscapes on the Albanian Riviera
- The village of Borsh above the beach has a medieval Ottoman castle with excellent views along the coast in both directions; accessible by a steep 30-minute walk from the beach
- If planning to overnight, anchor at the S end of the beach where the headland provides marginally more shelter from the SW and the beach activity is quietest
- Borsh to Himarë passage (8nm N) is the standard next leg along the Riviera — both are full-day anchorages that work well together as a two-stop itinerary
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts and current official charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Borsh Beach
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential on the Albanian Riviera where Llogara Pass gusts arrive without warning and SW swell builds overnight.
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