Llogara Bay (Below the Pass) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The Llogara Bay anchorage in 5–12m over rock and pebble. Holding is fair at best — anchor on the sand patches if available (not always present); pebble and rock give fair to poor holding. Always rig a trip line. The S and SE are sheltered by the lip of the pass valley but the bay is exposed to N, NW, W, and SW — a wide arc of open exposure. The primary hazard is not swell (though SW swell enters) but the katabatic downslope gusts from Llogara Pass (1,027m) directly above. When clouds form over the pass, gusts descend to sea level within minutes and can reach 30+ knots. This is the most dangerous anchorage on the Albanian Riviera for sudden deterioration — use ONLY in confirmed settled conditions with clear skies over the pass and a firm NE or E forecast. The scenery is among the most dramatic in Albania: vertical limestone above, clear Ionian water below, complete absence of development.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Llogara Bay (Below the Pass) is primarily rock and pebble 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 5–12m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m 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.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Llogara Bay (Below the Pass) are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to N and NW and W and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 95m radius before going below. 95m alarm radius for Llogara Bay in 5–12m — set conservatively due to fair holding on rock and pebble and the katabatic gust hazard. The 95m radius gives the alarm system time to alert before the boat drifts significantly in the deep water. In any confirmed katabatic conditions (cloud streaming over the pass, NW gusts above 15kt at sea level) the anchorage should be abandoned immediately — do not wait for the alarm to trigger; depart proactively. This is the one anchorage on the Albanian coast where the anchor alarm is not just a sleep aid but a genuine emergency warning system. Always keep the engine warm and running at tickover when anchored at Llogara Bay if any cloud is visible over the pass.

Use June–September only in confirmed settled conditions. July and August are the safest months: stable Mediterranean high pressure suppresses the katabatic mechanism and the pass is often cloud-free for days at a time; the morning calm window is longest. June and September: increased variability — only use in confirmed clear-sky settled conditions. May and October: not recommended due to increased frequency of NW low-pressure systems that activate the Llogara katabatic hazard. Never anchor November–April.

Navigation Hazards

• Llogara katabatic gusts — PRIMARY HAZARD: the most dangerous anchoring hazard on the Albanian Riviera; when clouds form over Llogara Pass (1,027m) directly above, katabatic downslope gusts can reach 30+ knots at sea level within 5 minutes; keep the engine running and be prepared to depart IMMEDIATELY if clouds begin to form over the pass; this is not an exaggerated hazard — cruising reports confirm rapid deterioration without atmospheric warning signs visible from sea level
• N and NW exposure: the bay is open to N and NW — northerly swell enters freely; the S shelter from the pass valley is minimal protection against long-period northerly swells
• Poor rock and pebble holding: fair at best on any sand patches; poor to zero on rock; ALWAYS use a trip line; the consequence of a fouled anchor in 10–12m at this remote location is a serious diving operation or gear loss
• SW and W swell: in addition to the katabatic risk, the bay is exposed to SW and W Ionian swell — a full gale scenario with both Llogara katabatic gusts and SW swell simultaneously is the nightmare scenario; never anchor here if either risk is elevated
• Total remoteness: no emergency services within 15nm by sea, no road access to the beach, no facilities; medical emergency evacuation would require a sea rescue; do not anchor here with any crew member in uncertain health

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.
• Maximum stay: 2 days
• Restrictions: CRITICAL: Do NOT anchor here if clouds are forming or streaming over Llogara Pass (1,027m) above the bay — katabatic gusts to 30+ knots can develop within 5 minutes of cloud formation over the pass. Day use only in any period with unstable NW flow. Trip line mandatory due to rock and pebble bottom. Arrive self-sufficient — no facilities, no road access, no emergency services within 15nm by sea.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Vlorë city (30km N by sea) (16nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Vlorë city (30km N by sea) (16nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Vlorë city (30km N by sea) (16nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. The golden rule for Llogara Bay: anchor only in confirmed clear-sky, settled-air, E or NE conditions with no cloud visible over the pass — watch the pass throughout your stay; if cloud begins to form, start the engine and prepare to depart before waiting to see what develops
2. Keep the engine running at idle when anchored here — the risk justifies the fuel cost and the noise; a running engine means you can leave in 60 seconds rather than 3 minutes; in katabatic conditions those 2 minutes matter
3. The underwater clarity here (10m+ visibility) over the rock and pebble bottom makes snorkelling exceptionally rewarding — swim the anchor after setting to confirm bottom type and anchor position before going below
4. Llogara Bay to Vlorë (30km N) is the final passage on the Albanian Riviera itinerary — a half-day passage in settled conditions; Vlorë is an official port of entry with full marina facilities
5. The Llogara National Park above the bay contains ancient black pine forest starting at 900m elevation — visible from the anchorage; the national park is one of the finest natural areas in Albania and the pass road drive (or motorcycle ride) from Vlorë is spectacular
6. July and August morning conditions at Llogara Bay are often glass-calm — the katabatic risk is lowest in stable summer high-pressure conditions; arrive at dawn, enjoy the extraordinary setting in calm air, and depart by 10:00 before any atmospheric instability has time to develop