Sarandë Outer Roads (NW Approach) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The outer roads NW of Sarandë harbour in 10–18m on sand. Holding is good on the sandy bottom at this depth — use adequate scope (6:1 minimum at 15m depth) and confirm set before leaving the deck. The outer roads are used by larger boats that cannot enter the shallower inner areas of the bay, and by boats waiting to enter the port in busy conditions or during periods of strong Corfu Strait NW wind when the inner bay is rough. The NE and E are partially sheltered by the Sarandë headland and the hill mass behind the port. The NW and W are fully open to the Corfu Strait — in strong NW Maestral this position receives the full strait fetch. The anchorage is exposed but the holding is reliable; in sustained NW above F5 the outer roads are uncomfortable and the inner bay SE of the ferry terminal (saranda-bay anchorage) should be preferred.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Sarandë Outer Roads (NW Approach) 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 10–20m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (140m chain at 20m 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, Delta, CQR.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Sarandë Outer Roads (NW Approach) are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to NW and W and SW and S winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 110m radius before going below. 110m alarm radius in the outer roads at 10–18m depth with 6:1 scope. The larger alarm radius reflects the greater depth and consequent longer scope requirement. The key risk at the outer roads is the NW Corfu Strait exposure — in F4+ NW conditions the outer roads receive significant swell and are uncomfortable for overnight use. The primary use case for this anchorage is waiting to enter the port or anchoring for boats too large for the inner bay. The holding on sand at this depth is reliable but the scope requirement means the alarm radius must be generous. Boats anchoring here in calm overnight conditions should monitor the Corfu Strait NW forecast — the strait can accelerate NW wind rapidly, and an overnight building to F5+ from the NW would require moving to the inner bay or the port.

Usable May–October as a waiting anchorage. The outer roads function throughout the sailing season as an arrival/departure staging position for Sarandë port. July–August: busiest period with the highest ferry frequency and most port traffic; the outer roads may be in use for waiting charter boats. September and October: less congested, still fully functional. The waiting anchorage character means season extension is less relevant — it is used whenever Sarandë port is the destination.

Navigation Hazards

• NW Corfu Strait exposure: the outer roads are fully open to the NW and W — the Corfu Strait channels NW Maestral and in F5+ this position receives significant swell making it uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for overnight; move to the inner bay or port in strong NW conditions
• Greater depth requires more scope: at 10–18m depth a 6:1 scope ratio means 60–108m of chain/rope deployed; the alarm radius must be set accordingly; confirm the anchor is genuinely holding at depth, not just resting on flat sand
• Ferry and commercial traffic: the Sarandë commercial port and ferry terminal are 0.8nm SE — ferry movements and commercial traffic in the outer approach require vigilance; maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 12
• Patrol boat operations: Albanian maritime patrol and customs vessels operate from Sarandë; uncleared boats anchored in the outer roads will be approached; have documentation ready
• Night anchoring hazard: the outer roads at depth in darkness are not a safe position for inattentive anchoring — ensure the anchor is set, the alarm is active, and the boat is not in the ferry fairway before retiring below

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 to anchor in the outer roads. No fee for waiting anchorage.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: Keep well clear of the ferry approach lane and the commercial port entrance. Maintain VHF watch on Ch 12 (Sarandë port) and Ch 16. Move to the inner bay (saranda-bay) or port berth as soon as conditions allow or a berth is available. The outer roads are a waiting anchorage, not a long-stay destination.

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 (0.8nm SE) (0.8nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Sarandë city centre (0.8nm SE) (0.8nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Sarandë city centre (0.8nm SE) (0.8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. The outer roads are best used as an arrival anchorage while awaiting agent clearance — anchor here on arrival, call the clearance agent on the VHF or phone, and proceed to the inner bay or port berth once the formalities are arranged
2. The Corfu channel view from the outer roads is exceptional — the 4nm passage across to Corfu is clearly visible, the Greek mountains are prominent on clear days, and the Albanian coast road above Sarandë gives an impressive first impression of Albania
3. In very calm summer mornings the outer roads can be used as an overnight anchorage for larger boats (13m+) that cannot access the inner bay — the holding is reliable on sand and the 6:1 scope gives adequate security in calm conditions
4. Monitor VHF Ch 12 from the outer roads — the Sarandë port will advise on ferry movements and any restrictions; the clearance agent contact should be established before anchoring here
5. If the inner bay is full in the peak summer period (July–August), the outer roads at 10–12m in the NE sector (closest to the Sarandë headland) gives the most shelter available in the outer position — tuck toward the headland to maximise the partial E shelter