Porto Palermo — N Arm / Karaburun Shore Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Porto Palermo — N Arm / Karaburun Shore has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Porto Palermo — N Arm / Karaburun Shore is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.

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 8–20m, deploy minimum 5:1 scope (100m chain at 20m 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 Porto Palermo — N Arm / Karaburun Shore are excellent — all-round protection means minimal boat movement.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m alarm radius for the N arm main anchorage in 8–20m. The deeper sections of the N arm (15–20m) require longer scope deployment than the main NW anchorage at 10–25m — at 20m with 5:1 scope, 100m of chain deployed; alarm at 90m is appropriate. The mud bottom provides reliable long-duration holding; overnight use in the N arm is among the most secure in the entire bay. The Karaburun-Sazan MPA boundary runs N of this position — confirm the yacht is anchored within the main bay (S side of the MPA boundary line) and not drifting into the MPA zone on scope; the MPA patrol vessels do visit and enforce boundaries. In practice, anchoring in the confirmed bay area well S of the cliff base ensures MPA compliance.

Best May–October. All-weather protection means the N arm is viable in any season for a yacht that can reach Porto Palermo in open-coast conditions. May and June: ideal — the bay is deserted, the MPA patrol is beginning its seasonal operation, and the cliff face is at its most dramatic in early-season light. July–August: the N arm sees slightly more traffic than the main NW anchorage as boats explore the bay; still very uncrowded by any Mediterranean standard. September–October: excellent settled-weather conditions; October is viable but the open-coast passage from N or S requires weather window management.

Navigation Hazards

• Karaburun-Sazan MPA boundary immediately N: the MPA boundary runs N and W of the Porto Palermo bay — anchoring within the bay is permitted but proceeding by yacht or dinghy into the MPA zone without understanding current enforcement rules risks fines and confiscation; MPA patrol vessels are active and patrol boats from the Albanian Environmental Agency operate in this area seasonally
• Deep water (15–20m) requiring extended scope: the N arm reaches 20m in places — at 5:1 scope this requires 100m of chain; confirm the anchor is genuinely set in mud at depth (not resting on chain kinks) and the scope is fully deployed before going below; a snubber or bridle is recommended to absorb overnight scope loads
• Rock outcrops near the Karaburun cliff base: the immediate shelf adjacent to the cliff base has rock outcrops that can foul anchors; stay 30m+ from the cliff base for sand/mud holding; a trip line on the anchor is advisable if anchoring in the 5–12m sector close to the cliff
• Anchor retrieval in deep mud: mud anchoring in 15–20m can result in deeply-buried anchors that are difficult to retrieve; use a trip line if possible; a swivel on the chain reduces the risk of a locked-in buried anchor; allow extra time for retrieval in the morning
• No facilities and complete remoteness: Porto Palermo has no services of any kind — no water, fuel, VHF authority, emergency services, or other vessels in most conditions; complete self-sufficiency is required; carry medical kit, complete spares, full fuel and provisions before arrival

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: 3 days
• Restrictions: Anchor within the main Porto Palermo bay S of the Karaburun-Sazan MPA boundary — do NOT enter the MPA zone to the N and W. MPA patrol vessels are active and enforce boundaries. Confirm anchor placement is on mud/sand and not on rock near the Karaburun cliff base. Entry to Porto Palermo from the S entrance only.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Himarë (12nm SE) (12nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Himarë (12nm SE) (12nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Himarë (12nm SE) (12nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Anchor in the N arm for the best separation from the submarine dock remnants on the W shore — the mud bottom in the N arm is cleaner and more uniform than the mixed bottom near the old dock; the holding is arguably the best in the entire bay
2. The Karaburun cliff face is best viewed at close range by dinghy — row or motor along the cliff base (staying within the bay S of the MPA boundary) and observe the vertical limestone at close quarters; the scale is dramatic and the bird colonies (cormorants, shags) nesting in the cliff crevices are visible from the dinghy
3. In the N arm the acoustic qualities of the bay are most pronounced — the cliff face reflects sound and on a calm night the drip of water, the occasional rockfall, and the sounds of wildlife from the cliff create an extraordinary sensory environment; the bay is silent of human activity and the natural soundscape is one of the distinctive experiences of Porto Palermo
4. The MPA boundary position can be confirmed on Navionics or other chart apps — the KSMNP boundary is typically charted; anchor well within the Porto Palermo bay main area and not in the approach channel between the bay and the open MPA zone to the NW
5. If anchoring multiple nights at Porto Palermo, use the NW main anchorage the first night and move to the N arm the second — the contrasting viewpoints within the same all-weather bay give very different perspectives on the fortress, the submarine base remains, and the cliff scenery