Himarë Bay Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Himarë Bay has 3 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Himarë Bay is primarily sand and weed with variable holding that requires extra attention.

1. 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.
2. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
3. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
4. 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 Himarë Bay are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to SW and W and S winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m alarm radius for the outer bay in 4–10m. The variable holding (sand and weed) means the alarm radius is conservatively set — weed patches can produce a false set that fails in sustained loading. Always confirm set with engine reverse and use the maximum scope comfortable for the depth. Himarë is the most important anchorage stop on the Albanian Riviera as the only official port of entry; the obligation to clear customs here means most boats spend at least one night — set the alarm and sleep comfortably knowing holding has been confirmed. The inner harbour in 55m alarm radius is the more secure overnight option when space is available.

Best May–October. June–September is the port of entry window — the only time foreign yachts can clear customs here. May and October arrivals must first clear at Sarandë or Vlorë before proceeding. July–August sees peak tourist activity in town with beach crowding on the Himarë beaches but the anchorage remains usable. September is ideal: cleared port of entry still operating, town quieter, anchorage calmer. Not recommended for overnight November–April due to increased SW swell frequency and closure of port authority services.

Navigation Hazards

• SW exposure and Ionian swell: the bay opens SW to the open Ionian; F3+ SW generates uncomfortable conditions in the outer bay; in sustained SW gale the inner harbour with breakwater is the only usable refuge
• Variable holding outer bay: sand and weed bottom in the outer bay can give a false anchor set; the anchor must be confirmed with engine reverse before leaving the boat — weed catches can fail under sustained load
• Port of entry seasonal restriction: Himarë is only an official port of entry June–September; boats arriving outside this window cannot clear here and must proceed to Sarandë or Vlorë — plan timing carefully
• Afternoon SW Maestral: the bay-facing SW orientation means the afternoon thermal sea breeze (Maestral, builds 13:00, F3–4 by 15:00) enters directly; morning anchorage is calm, afternoons can be choppy
• Harbour traffic: fishing boats and summer tourist excursion vessels make the inner harbour area busy in July–August; anchor at appropriate distance from the approach lane

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 in outer bay. Inner harbour quay: small fees charged by harbour master (seasonal rates, ~€10–20/night). Confirm with harbour master on arrival.
• Maximum stay: 7 days
• Restrictions: All foreign yachts must clear customs and border police at Himarë port (June–September) or at Sarandë/Vlorë before anchoring in the bay. Stay clear of the ferry approach lane and the fishing boat harbour zone. Do not anchor within 30m of the quay face — leave room for working fishing boats.

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 centre (0.2nm)
• Restaurant: Several restaurants and cafes in town, accessible from the quay on foot (cash, ALL/EUR). Supermarket: one full supermarket in Himarë town (500m from harbour). Fuel: petrol station on the main road (jerry can only — no marine fuelling). Pharmacy in town. ATM available — Lek cash strongly recommended. Water: not available at the quay; fill jerry cans from town.
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. If arriving in summer (June–September), Himarë is the ideal port of entry for the Riviera — the clearance process is straightforward with a pre-arranged agent and avoids backtracking to Sarandë
2. The inner harbour quay usually has space for 3–5 visiting yachts alongside or stern-to — contact the harbour master on VHF Ch 12 before entering to confirm availability and berthing instructions
3. Himarë town is genuinely interesting: the old Greek-Albanian quarter with Byzantine church and stone houses is a 20-minute walk from the harbour; the mixed Albanian-Greek culture is unique on this coast
4. For provisioning, the supermarket in Himarë is the best stocking point between Sarandë and Vlorë — fill up before continuing north; the anchorages north of Himarë have minimal or no provisions
5. Monitor the afternoon SW Maestral forecast: in settled summer weather the pattern is predictable — calm mornings transitioning to F3–4 SW from 13:00; plan arrivals and departures in the morning calm window