Cape Rodonit S Approach Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

A sheltered bay on the S side of Cape Rodonit peninsula in 5–10m over sand. The cape mass to the N and NW provides good shelter from those directions. The bay is exposed to NE (Bora), E, and S — in NE Bora conditions the anchorage is extremely exposed and dangerous. Sand holding is good in settled conditions and the anchor should set cleanly on the flat sandy bottom. This position is 12nm N of Durrës — use it as a day stop or brief staging anchorage on the passage between Durrës and Shëngjin in completely settled conditions only. IMPORTANT: this anchorage is north of Vlorë and technically within the forbidden anchoring zone; Albanian Coast Guard patrols operate in this area and may contact you — have all documentation ready. The 15th-century church ruins of St. Alexander (Scanderbeg era) are accessible by dinghy from the beach on the W side of the cape and are worth a shore visit.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Cape Rodonit S Approach is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Check Bora forecast before anchoring — cap clouds over the Dinaric Alps to the NE are the warning sign. Bora gusts to 70+ knots arrive with minimal notice. If any Bora is forecast, use Cristian Marina shore lines rather than anchoring in exposed positions.
2. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–10m, 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.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Cape Rodonit S Approach are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to NE and E and S winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m alarm radius for the S bay of Cape Rodonit in 5–10m. The sandy bottom holds well in calm conditions but the NE and E exposure means any wind shift to the NE is dangerous and potentially unrecoverable in Bora conditions. The 90m radius accounts for swing in the deeper end of the depth range. If anchored here and Bora cap clouds appear over the NE mountains, depart immediately for Durrës (12nm S) — do not wait to see if the Bora develops. The Cape Rodonit anchorage is a day stop only and the alarm should be considered an emergency warning rather than a routine monitoring tool; a human watch is essential throughout any time anchored here.

Day use only, June–September in completely settled conditions. July and August offer the most stable Adriatic weather windows but afternoon sea breeze still affects this bay; morning use is strongly preferred. June and September are better months for this stop due to lower summer Bora frequency. Not suitable May or October due to higher Bora and NE wind frequency. This anchorage requires the most favourable conditions of any in the northern Albania group — treat it as a bonus stop rather than a planned overnight.

Navigation Hazards

• CRITICAL — forbidden anchoring zone: this anchorage is north of Vlorë where Albanian regulation forbids anchoring outside official ports; Albanian Coast Guard patrol vessels with armed personnel operate in this area and will board foreign yachts; have all documentation ready and be cooperative and calm in any interaction
• NE Bora exposure — extreme danger: the bay is fully open to NE; in Bora conditions (gusts to 70+ knots) the anchorage becomes completely untenable and departure may be impossible; any NE cap clouds over the mountains are grounds for immediate departure to Durrës — do not delay
• Remote location 12nm from nearest port: in any emergency (mechanical, medical, or weather deterioration) the nearest assistance is at Durrës (12nm S) or Shëngjin (18nm N); ensure the boat is fully self-sufficient and the engine is reliable before staging at this anchorage
• No holding information for the bay bottom: the sand quality and depth distribution in the S bay of Cape Rodonit has limited verified cruising data — approach slowly, confirm depth on echosounder throughout, and test anchor hold with engine reverse before committing
• E and S exposure to afternoon sea breeze: in summer the afternoon sea breeze on the Albanian Adriatic often has an E or S component that can disturb the Cape Rodonit anchorage; plan to depart or have departed before mid-afternoon

Rules & Regulations

• FORBIDDEN north of Vlorë: Anchoring outside Durrës and Shëngjin is strictly forbidden and enforced by armed Coast Guard. Use official ports only.
• Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). Call Cristian Marina ahead on VHF Ch 12. Fly yellow Q flag on entry.
• Anchoring fee: Free. No facilities.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: CRITICAL: North of Vlorë — anchoring outside official ports is technically forbidden. Day stop only in completely settled conditions. Be prepared for Albanian Coast Guard contact — have all documentation immediately accessible. Do not overnight here. Depart immediately if NE wind or cap clouds over NE mountains develop.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Durrës city centre (12nm S) (12nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Durrës city centre (12nm S) (12nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Durrës city centre (12nm S) (12nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Use Cape Rodonit as a brief morning stop (09:00–13:00) on a settled day transit between Durrës and Shëngjin — the 15th-century church ruins are worth a dinghy visit and the cape is genuinely atmospheric; do not plan to stay beyond early afternoon
2. The church of St. Alexander on the cape headland (accessed from the beach on the W side by dinghy) dates from the Scanderbeg era and has a remarkable setting above the sea — bring water and wear sun protection for the walk across the cape
3. Monitor VHF Ch 16 continuously while anchored here — Coast Guard communications will give advance warning of any patrol vessel approaches and you can respond professionally before any vessel reaches you
4. Check the 24-hour forecast specifically for NE wind in the Adriatic and for Bora warnings (Meteo Adriatico, Windy.com with Adriatic models, ARPA Emilia-Romagna forecasts) before departing Durrës for this anchorage — do not proceed N of Durrës if there is any NE in the forecast
5. If stopped by the Albanian Coast Guard, remain calm, have all documents ready (passports, boat registration, insurance, crew list, clearance documents from Durrës/Shëngjin), cooperate fully, and explain your itinerary clearly; the Coast Guard are doing their job and a professional response resolves encounters quickly