Livadhja Cove (Livadhi) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The main cove in 4–7m on sand. The headland to the N and NW provides partial shelter from the prevailing NW summer Maestral channelled through the Corfu Strait. Sand holding is good throughout — clean sandy bottom with consistent depth. Used primarily as a lunchtime stop for boats transiting between Sarandë and Ksamil; the 3nm position between the two main anchorages makes it a natural half-way stop. Small beach accessible by dinghy on the cove head. Local fishing boats occasionally use the cove, leaving basic moorings on the N shore — keep clear of their ground tackle. Open to SW and SE; overnight possible in settled NW conditions only.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Livadhja Cove (Livadhi) is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Check for posidonia before dropping — Ksamil waters have protected posidonia meadows. Confirm sand bottom on the depth sounder before anchoring. Use mooring buoys at Ksamil when available.
2. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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 Livadhja Cove (Livadhi) are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to SW and SE and S and W winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m alarm radius for the main cove in 4–7m. The partial NW shelter from the headland makes this a comfortable day anchorage in Maestral conditions but the SW and SE exposure means any southerly component makes the cove untenable. The clean sandy bottom gives reliable holding — the anchor should set easily and hold well in the typical NW summer conditions. As a transit stop between Sarandë and Ksamil, this cove is used predominantly for 2–4 hour lunch stops rather than overnight; the superior shelter and facilities at both ends of the transit make overnight use here the exception rather than the rule.

Usable May–October as a day stop. May and June are the quietest months — the cove is almost always deserted and the NW Maestral has not yet reached peak intensity. July–August: the transit route between Sarandë and Ksamil is busier but the cove itself remains quiet. September–October: good settled-weather day stop; NW Maestral frequency decreasing. Not suitable for overnight November–April.

Navigation Hazards

• SW and SE exposure: the cove is open to SW and SE — any southerly swell or wind makes the anchorage uncomfortable; in S or SE conditions the cove is not usable; monitor forecasts carefully before overnighting
• Local fishing boat moorings: a few local boats are moored on the N shore; their mooring lines may not be visible; leave clear space on the N side and do not anchor across their swinging arcs
• No emergency services or facilities: fully remote anchorage; in deteriorating conditions the 3nm passage to Sarandë in the N is straightforward in reasonable conditions
• Patrol boat activity: Albanian maritime patrol boats operate along the coast between Sarandë and the Greek border; have documentation accessible and fly the Albanian courtesy flag
• Depth shoaling toward beach: the cove head shoals to less than 2m toward the beach — anchor in confirmed depth of 4m+ and do not push toward the beach for a closer dinghy landing

Rules & Regulations

• Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). Fly yellow Q flag. Present passports, registration, insurance, and crew list at the first port of entry.
• Anchoring fee: Free. No facilities.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings on the N shore of the cove. Day use primarily — the SW and SE exposure makes overnight use appropriate only in settled NW conditions with a clean overnight forecast.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Sarandë city centre (3nm N) (3nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Sarandë city centre (3nm N) (3nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Sarandë city centre (3nm N) (3nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Livadhi is a perfect lunch stop on the Sarandë-to-Ksamil passage — anchor for 2–3 hours, swim in the clear water, explore the small beach by dinghy, then continue S; the timing works well to arrive at Ksamil by early afternoon
2. The headland on the N side of the cove provides a pleasant 30-minute walk with views over the Corfu Strait — worth the dinghy trip to the beach and the short scramble up the path if time allows
3. In settled NW conditions this is a genuinely quiet overnight alternative to Sarandë — the Corfu Strait is visible from the cove and the setting sun over Corfu's mountains is excellent; arrive from the N in the afternoon
4. Bring everything you need from Sarandë — Livadhi has no facilities whatsoever; fresh water, provisions, and fuel must all be on board before arriving
5. The 3nm passage between Sarandë and Livadhi typically takes 30–45 minutes under engine in calm conditions and is straightforward — no hazards on a direct course other than the shore itself