Karaburun Peninsula — S Tip Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Very exposed outer anchorage at the southern tip of the Karaburun Peninsula, just W of the Porto Palermo bay entrance on the E coast of the peninsula, in 6–18m over rock and sand. Protection from NE and E only — the peninsula headland provides a partial lee in northeasterly conditions. Exposed to SW, W, NW, and S, which collectively represent the most dangerous fetch directions in this area of the Adriatic/Ionian. Useful only as a day stop in completely settled NE conditions or as a brief pause while rounding the Karaburun Peninsula. CRITICAL: the Karaburun-Sazan MPA boundary runs N and W of this position — do NOT proceed into the MPA zone by yacht or dinghy; MPA patrol vessels operate in this area. The view SE over the Porto Palermo entrance is spectacular with the fortress visible and the bay entrance framed between the headlands. The dramatic Karaburun W coast cliffs — some of the most vertical and unbroken on the Albanian coast — rise immediately behind. 100m alarm radius reflects the depth (up to 18m) and open-water exposure. Fair holding on rock and sand only — the rocky substrate of the peninsula tip makes this position inherently unreliable for extended stays.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Karaburun Peninsula — S Tip is primarily rock and sand with variable holding that requires extra attention.

1. Enter from the south only at 5 knots maximum on echosounder through the narrow (50–80m) entrance channel. Rocks on both sides — stay in the centre.
2. Approach slowly once inside the bay. At 6–18m, deploy minimum 5:1 scope (90m chain at 18m depth) — the 30m+ depth requires generous chain.
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 for deep anchorage.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Karaburun Peninsula — S Tip are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to SW and W and NW and S winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below. 100m alarm radius at the Karaburun S tip in up to 18m over rock and sand. This is the most exposed and exposed-bottom anchorage in the Porto Palermo group and the alarm radius reflects that. At 18m with 5:1 scope, 90m of chain is deployed; the 100m radius provides just 10m of additional margin — this is very little tolerance for a rocky-bottom position open to SW, W, and NW. The alarm is set at 100m because greater scope deployment in 18m of water at the typical distances from shore is impractical. In practice, this is a fair-weather day stop only; any alarm activation in this position indicates the anchor has slipped off a sand patch and the correct response is immediate weighing anchor and proceeding to Porto Palermo main bay through the S entrance (1–2nm SE). The 100m radius is a safety monitoring tool only — the correct response to any deterioration in conditions here is to leave, not to re-anchor.

Day stop use only, May–September, in completely settled conditions. The Karaburun S tip has no sheltered anchorage character and is not a destination — it is a transit waypoint and rounding point for the Karaburun Peninsula. May and June offer the most settled conditions for a brief stop here: NW Maestral has not yet reached peak intensity and SW swell is minimal. July–August: the afternoon Maestral builds quickly at this exposed cape; morning use (before 10:00) is the safe window; any afternoon stop risks being caught by F4–5 NW wind with no shelter. September: similar to early season — generally settled mornings with afternoon Maestral; viable as a transit stop. Not appropriate for overnight use in any month; not suitable for any use October–April when NW and NE storm frequency increases significantly.

Navigation Hazards

• CRITICAL — Karaburun-Sazan MPA boundary: the MPA boundary runs N and W of this anchorage; any movement by yacht or dinghy into the MPA zone to the N (along the Karaburun W coast) or W (toward Sazan Island) is a violation of Albanian environmental law; MPA patrol vessels (grey rigid inflatables) actively enforce the boundary; the penalties for MPA violation include fines, vessel impoundment, and legal proceedings; remain S and E of the MPA line at this position
• SW, W, NW, and S exposure to open sea: the Karaburun S tip is exposed to virtually the full compass except NE and E — in any westerly or southerly conditions this position is untenable; the Libeccio (SW wind), the afternoon NW Maestral, and the Bora (NE katabatic) can all reach dangerous force in this location; do not anchor here in anything other than completely settled NE or E conditions
• Rocky substrate gives fair holding only: the entire Karaburun S tip is rocky — sand patches exist but are limited; the anchor on rock in open-water conditions with significant wave action can drag catastrophically; confirm the anchor is in a sand patch with engine reverse; use a trip line; monitor continuously
• Deep water (up to 18m) with limited scope options: at 18m depth the scope requirement is significant (90m at 5:1) but the proximity to shore and the exposed approach limits how much scope can safely be deployed; the combination of depth, rocky bottom, and open exposure makes this one of the most demanding anchoring positions in the Porto Palermo group
• Rapid deterioration risk: conditions at the Karaburun S tip can deteriorate very rapidly — the NW Maestral builds from 0 to F5 in 30–60 minutes in the afternoon; the Bora can arrive from the N with very little warning (watch for cap clouds over the Ceraunian Mountains to the SE); always have the engine ready to start and an exit plan to Porto Palermo main bay confirmed before anchoring here

Rules & Regulations

• Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). Fly yellow Q flag. Clear at Sarandë or Himarë (June–September) before visiting Porto Palermo.
• Anchoring fee: Free. No facilities.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: CRITICAL: Do NOT enter the Karaburun-Sazan MPA zone to the N and W of this position — MPA patrol vessels are active and enforcement penalties apply. Day stop only — SW, W, NW, and S exposure makes overnight unsuitable. In any deterioration in conditions, proceed immediately to Porto Palermo main bay through the S entrance (1–2nm SE). Fair holding on rock/sand — trip line recommended.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Vlorë (15nm NE) (15nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Vlorë (15nm NE) (15nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Vlorë (15nm NE) (15nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. This is strictly a calm-morning transit stop only — use it to observe the Porto Palermo entrance from the W side, confirm the MPA boundary position on your chart, and plan the approach before rounding the cape; do not anchor here for lunch unless the forecast is completely settled for the next 6 hours
2. The view SE toward the Porto Palermo entrance from this position is outstanding — the fortress promontory is visible, the narrow entrance channel can be identified, and the approach line into Porto Palermo from S can be confirmed visually; this reconnaissance is valuable before making the transit for the first time
3. MPA boundary awareness is the single most important operational consideration at this anchorage — confirm the MPA boundary on Navionics or your chart before anchoring, and ensure the boat's position (and any dinghy excursion) stays S and E of the line; the patrol vessels are identifiable as grey rigid inflatables; if approached, comply fully and have documentation ready
4. The Karaburun cliff scenery behind this anchorage is extraordinary — 300m vertical limestone walls with no beach, no path, and no access except from the sea; this is one of the few places on the Albanian coast where the cliff scenery rivals the Croatian Dalmatian coast; observe from the anchorage or carefully from the dinghy within the non-MPA zone
5. If rounding the Karaburun Peninsula from N to S (from the Vlorë direction), this anchorage provides a useful pause before the final approach to Porto Palermo; time the approach so you transit the S entrance to Porto Palermo with at least 2 hours of daylight remaining for anchor-setting and settling in