Croatia — Central Dalmatia

Best Anchorages on the Dalmatian Coast

Central Dalmatia — Hvar, Brač, Šolta, and the approaches to Trogir — is Croatia's most accessible and popular cruising ground. Short hops between beautiful islands, reliable mistral winds, UNESCO-listed towns, and a mix of lively harbours and quiet coves. These 10 anchorages have been verified for depth, holding, bura exposure, and anchor alarm radius.

About Central Dalmatia Sailing

Three Islands, One Week

The classic central Dalmatia circuit — Split → Šolta → Brač → Hvar → Split — covers the best of the region in 7 days. Passages are short (5–20nm), the mistral is predictable, and there are excellent all-weather anchorages at every stop. Milna (Brač) and Stari Grad (Hvar) are the finest overnight anchorages; Šolta offers quieter alternatives to the crowded Hvar town scene.

Mistral — Reliable & Manageable

The mistral (NW afternoon sea breeze) is the dominant summer wind — builds after 11:00 from 10–20 knots, typically easing after sunset. Mornings are calm. It is the sailor's friend: predictable, steady, and ideal for coastal hops. Time departures to use the morning calm or the full mistral; crossing the Brač channel in the afternoon can be choppy (short steep chop 0.5–1m).

Hvar Town vs Stari Grad

Hvar town is one of the most glamorous yachting destinations in the Mediterranean — and extremely expensive and crowded July–August. The anchorage in front of the town is open to the S and often uncomfortable. Stari Grad Bay (15nm E) offers a far superior anchorage — deep, all-weather, and UNESCO-listed — at a fraction of the cost. Use Hvar town for dinner ashore and anchor in Stari Grad overnight.

Trogir — UNESCO Gateway

Trogir's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site connected to the mainland by a bridge. The anchorage inside the canal is tight; better to anchor off Slatine (Čiovo island, 3nm by dinghy) or Marina village and dinghy in. Split city anchorage is feasible but exposed — better to use ACI Marina Split or anchor in Šolta and ferry to Split for day excursions.

Bura & Jugo — Know Before You Anchor

The two dangerous winds in central Dalmatia are the bura (NE katabatic, F6–10, fast onset, most common Oct–Mar but possible in summer) and the jugo (S/SE, F5–7, builds gradually over 12–24hrs, brings heavy swell from the S). When a jugo is forecast, avoid S-facing anchorages (Lučice, Šešula). When bura is possible, seek SW-facing bays (Milna, Stari Grad, Maslinica). Always check wind guru and windy.com the evening before, and run a GPS anchor alarm overnight — conditions can change significantly between midnight and 06:00.

10 Verified Anchorages

Stari Grad Bay

(Luka Stari Grad)Excellent holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Stari Grad Bay is one of the great natural harbours of the Adriatic — a long, fjord-like bay nearly 5nm deep penetrating the N coast of Hvar island, with the ancient town of Stari Grad (founded by the Greeks in 385 BC) at its head.

Depth

4–10m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

80m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE NW E WExposed: S SERestaurantFuel

Full anchoring guide →

Vlaka

(Uvala Vlaka)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Vlaka is a quiet, elongated inlet on the N coast of Hvar island, tucked into the hills just 4nm E of Stari Grad.

Depth

3–8m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: S SW SE W EExposed: N NW NE

Full anchoring guide →

Milna

(Luka Milna)Excellent holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Milna is widely regarded as one of the finest anchorages in all of Dalmatia — a beautifully protected bay on the W coast of Brač island with the rare combination of excellent natural shelter from almost all directions, a charming small town with full provisions, fuel, and a marina.

Depth

4–10m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

80m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE NW E WExposed: S SERestaurantFuelMooring buoys

Full anchoring guide →

Maslinica

(Luka Maslinica)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Maslinica is a charming small village on the W coast of Šolta island with one of the most picturesque settings in central Dalmatia: a well-sheltered bay with a historic 18th-century castle on a small islet at the entrance, olive groves on the surrounding hillsides (Šolta is famous for its olive oil), and a quiet waterfront with a handful of excellent restaurants.

Depth

3–6m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE EExposed: S SW WRestaurantMooring buoys

Full anchoring guide →

Šešula

(Uvala Šešula)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Šešula (also written Šešulja) is consistently described by sailors as one of the most beautiful small bays in Dalmatia — a near-circular cove on the NE coast of Šolta with a sandy beach, crystal-clear water, and a remarkably unspoiled setting.

Depth

3–6m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: W NW SW SExposed: N NE E

Full anchoring guide →

Rogač

(Luka Rogač)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Rogač is the main ferry port of Šolta island with regular connections to Split (35 minutes), making it the most practically convenient anchorage on the island for provisioning, crew changes, and fuel access.

Depth

4–8m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

75m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NW W SWExposed: S SE ERestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Sutivan

(Uvala Tiha Sutivan)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Sutivan is a small, characterful village on the NW tip of Brač island, tucked into a modest bay sheltered from SW and W.

Depth

2–5m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: SW W NW SExposed: N NE ERestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Lučice

(Uvala Lučice)Fair holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Lučice is a compact, attractive bay on the S coast of Brač island approximately 2 miles W of the famous Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach at Bol.

Depth

3–6m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

70m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW NE WExposed: S SW SERestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Marina

(Luka Marina)Excellent holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Marina is a quiet traditional Dalmatian fishing village on the mainland N coast of Kaštela Bay (Kaštelanski Zaljev), 8nm E of Trogir.

Depth

3–6m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

70m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: S SW SE E WExposed: N NW NERestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Slatine

(Uvala Slatine)Good holdingCentral Dalmatian Coast

Slatine is a small village on the NE coast of Čiovo island, just 3nm from the UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir, making it one of the most convenient anchorages in the central Dalmatian region for exploring the cultural highlights of the area by dinghy or local water taxi.

Depth

3–5m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: W S SW SEExposed: N NE ERestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Croatian Anchoring Rules — Dalmatian Coast

Anchoring on the Dalmatian coast is generally free in most bays outside designated mooring zones. Key requirements:

  • !eNautička Permit (MMPI): Required for all foreign yachts. Obtain at eNauticka.hr or first Croatian border port. Carry aboard at all times.
  • !150m Beach Exclusion (SSVO 2025): No anchoring within 150m of public beaches, June 15–September 15. Brač (Zlatni Rat, Bol) and Hvar beaches are closely monitored.
  • !No tying to trees or rocks: Prohibited under Croatian maritime law. Use anchor or mooring buoys only.
  • !Posidonia seagrass: Widespread across central Dalmatia. Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica strictly prohibited — fines up to €2,000. Always snorkel to verify bottom type in new anchorages.
  • !Ferry traffic: High-speed ferries operate regularly between Split, Supetar (Brač), Rogač (Šolta), Stari Grad (Hvar), and Vis. Keep well clear of ferry lanes and anchor away from ferry terminals.

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

Monitor Your Anchor Overnight

Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts — so you can sleep through the Dalmatian night, from a quiet Šolta cove to the spectacular deep waters of Stari Grad Bay.

Download Free for iOS
← All Croatia Anchorages