Palermo North Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The staging anchorage in the small bay 2nm N of the Porto Palermo entrance in 5–12m over rock and sand at the base of the Karaburun limestone cliffs. Fair holding — the bottom is predominantly rock with sand patches; anchor placement requires care to find a sand patch where the anchor can bury; confirm set carefully with engine reverse before deploying full scope. The Karaburun limestone cliffs to the W provide shelter from the N and NE — the bay is calm in the prevailing NW Maestral as the wind direction tends to come over the cliff tops. Open to SW and W — in any SW or W conditions the anchorage is uncomfortable and potentially unsafe; the fetch to the S and SW across the open Ionian is unlimited. Porto Palermo entrance (the Ottoman-era fortress bay, 2nm S) is visible as a break in the cliff line. Day use primarily; overnight in settled NE conditions only.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Palermo North Bay is primarily rock and sand with variable holding that requires extra attention.

1. Confirm your position relative to the military zone before anchoring near Vlorë — the Bay of Vlorë (W of the commercial port) and Sazan Island are strictly restricted. Stay E and S of the port approach.
2. Approach in daylight only — unlit fish farm gear in the Vlorë bay approaches. Time arrivals at least 2 hours before sunset.
3. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–12m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m depth).
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 Palermo North Bay are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to SW and W and S winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m alarm radius in this bay in 5–12m. The depth variation (5–12m across the bay) means the appropriate scope varies significantly — at 12m depth with 5:1 scope, 60m of chain is deployed before any freeboard; the 90m alarm radius is the minimum for the deeper positions. The mixed rock/sand bottom means holding security is the primary concern — a fair-holding bottom in an exposed position requires a verified set before settling. In NW Maestral conditions (the summer norm), this position can be surprisingly calm with the cliff mass deflecting the airflow over the tops; however, any SW component makes the anchorage instantly untenable due to the unlimited W and SW fetch. Monitor the forecast at 3-hour intervals when anchored here and have Porto Palermo (2nm S) ready as an emergency refuge.

Usable May–October as a day stop. The calms of May and June make this a fine anchorage for extended swimming and cliff exploration by dinghy — the morning conditions are reliable and the water temperature warming. July–August: the NW Maestral is at its most active but the cliff lee makes the bay surprisingly calm in direct N and NW conditions; watch for any afternoon SW sea breeze. September is the best month — warm water, low sea state, and the dramatic late-season light on the limestone cliffs. Not suitable for overnight use November–April.

Navigation Hazards

• SW and W exposure — unlimited Ionian fetch: the bay is open to SW, W, and S across the full width of the Ionian Sea; any wind with a W or SW component generates significant swell at this position; the transition from comfortable to untenable can be rapid; monitor forecasts continuously and have Porto Palermo (2nm S) as a ready escape
• Rock bottom holding: the predominant rock bottom means the anchor may not bury fully in many positions; take time to find and confirm a sand patch before settling; a dragging anchor on rock in an exposed position is an emergency — the alarm radius must be trusted and checked
• Cliff rockfall hazard: the Karaburun limestone cliffs shed occasional rockfall — do NOT anchor within 50m of the cliff base; position the boat in the bay with at least 50–75m clearance from the cliff wall; this risk is real and unforeseeable
• Cave exploration surf: the cliff caves visible from the bay are tempting for dinghy exploration — in any swell, cave interiors experience surge amplification that is dangerous for small craft; explore caves only in completely flat conditions and do not enter cave entrances in any swell
• Limited shelter options: the nearest all-weather shelter is Porto Palermo (2nm S) — this is a small bay with no immediate fallback if conditions deteriorate rapidly; have a clear plan and depart for Porto Palermo at the first sign of SW or W weather development

Rules & Regulations

• MILITARY ZONE: Bay of Vlorë and Sazan Island — do NOT enter or anchor. Armed patrol vessels enforce this restriction.
• Albania entry — clearance agent mandatory: All foreign yachts must use a local clearance agent (~€100–150). VHF Ch 16/12 at Vlorë. Fly yellow Q flag on entry.
• Anchoring fee: Free. No facilities.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: Day use strongly recommended — SW and W exposure make overnight use appropriate only in settled NE conditions with a completely clear overnight forecast. Do not attempt dinghy exploration of cliff caves in any swell — the cave entrances are dangerous in swell due to surge. Porto Palermo (2nm S) is the all-weather refuge if conditions deteriorate.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Porto Palermo (2nm S, seasonal restaurant) (2nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Porto Palermo (2nm S, seasonal restaurant) (2nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Porto Palermo (2nm S, seasonal restaurant) (2nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Palermo North Bay is an exceptional lunch stop on the passage between Vlorë/Orikum and Porto Palermo — anchor in the most protected position (NE of centre, closest to the cliff) in 6–8m on a confirmed sand patch, swim in the extraordinarily clear deep-blue water, and continue S to Porto Palermo by mid-afternoon
2. The Karaburun limestone cliffs are visually dramatic from the water — the sheer white and ochre cliff faces dropping directly into the sea are unlike anything in the region; the cave entrances at the base of the cliffs, visible from the anchorage, are accessible by dinghy in flat conditions and worth the short paddle
3. The cliff mass creates an interesting microclimate — in NW Maestral conditions the wind comes over the cliff tops rather than around them, creating a surprisingly calm surface immediately beneath the cliff with disturbed air above; position the boat to take advantage of this lee, keeping well clear of the cliff base
4. Depart for Porto Palermo by early afternoon at the latest — the 2nm passage S to Porto Palermo's enclosed bay takes 20–30 minutes and the enclosed Porto Palermo anchorage offers all-round protection; do not remain at Palermo North Bay overnight without a completely clear forecast
5. The water colour at this location is among the most vivid in the Adriatic/Ionian — the deep blue of the water against the white limestone cliffs and the Albanian mountain backdrop is outstanding for photography; the midday light between 11:00 and 13:00 gives the most saturated colours