Lučice Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Lučice, Lučica Bay, Lucice Brač, Lučice Bol
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. The bay faces S into the open Adriatic, making it excellent in the summer NW Mistral pattern when the high Brač ridge (up to 778m at Vidova Gora above Bol) provides complete shelter from the dominant NW. The setting is dramatic: steep limestone hillsides drop to a sandy-rock bay with a small konoba at the head (open in summer). The bottom is a mix of sand and rock — holding is fair and snorkelling to check anchor placement is essential. This is a favourite lunchtime and early-season overnight stop for boats based in Bol or transiting the S Brač coast. The Zlatni Rat (one of the most famous beaches in the Mediterranean) is a short dinghy or daysail ride away. Avoid entirely in Jugo or any S/SW forecast.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°16.1'N 16°33.5'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand, rock patches
Holding
Fair holdingProtected From
N, NW, NE, W
Exposed To
S, SW, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m in the main bay to cover swing on mixed sand/rock bottom at 3–5m. The S exposure is the critical constraint: any S or SW wind above F3–4 sends swell directly into the bay and overnight becomes uncomfortable or dangerous. If Jugo is forecast (S/SE), depart to Milna or Stari Grad Bay which are sheltered from S. The NE corner with 55m alarm is the best overnight option. Always snorkel the anchor to confirm it is on sand.
Main bay — primary anchorage: 70m recommended — The bay opens to the S on the S coast of Brač — well protected from N, NW, NE, and W, but directly exposed to S and SW swell from the open Adriatic and to Jugo from the SE.
NE corner — most sheltered: 55m recommended — The NE corner of the bay tucks further behind the rocky headland and provides marginally better protection with cleaner sand bottom in 3–4m.
Anchoring Zones
Lučice has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.
Zone 1: Main bay — primary anchorage
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: sand, rock patches
- Holding: Fair holding
- Protected from: N, NW, NE, W
- Exposed to: S, SW, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 70m
The bay opens to the S on the S coast of Brač — well protected from N, NW, NE, and W, but directly exposed to S and SW swell from the open Adriatic and to Jugo from the SE. Sand bottom with rock patches in 3–5m; holding is fair on the sandy areas but the rock patches require careful anchor placement. Snorkel to verify the anchor has set on sand, not on rock. In settled NW summer Mistral pattern the bay is very comfortable — the high Brač ridge to the N provides excellent shelter. Space for 6–8 yachts.
Zone 2: NE corner — most sheltered
- Depth: 3–5m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NW, NE, W, E
- Exposed to: S, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 55m
The NE corner of the bay tucks further behind the rocky headland and provides marginally better protection with cleaner sand bottom in 3–4m. Good holding on sand with fewer rock patches. This is the preferred overnight position in settled conditions. 4–5 yachts maximum in this sector without overlapping swing circles.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Lučice is primarily sand and rock patches with variable holding that requires extra attention.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–6m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (42m chain at 6m depth).
- Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- Snorkel to verify bottom type. Posidonia is common on the Dalmatian coast — confirm your anchor is on sand, not Posidonia (anchoring on it carries heavy fines). Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Bugel. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Lučice are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to S and SW and SE winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m in the main bay to cover swing on mixed sand/rock bottom at 3–5m. The S exposure is the critical constraint: any S or SW wind above F3–4 sends swell directly into the bay and overnight becomes uncomfortable or dangerous. If Jugo is forecast (S/SE), depart to Milna or Stari Grad Bay which are sheltered from S. The NE corner with 55m alarm is the best overnight option. Always snorkel the anchor to confirm it is on sand.
May and June are excellent: low S swell risk, settled Mistral pattern, uncrowded. July–August the risk of Jugo increases and day-trip traffic around Zlatni Rat is intense — use as a morning stop only. September is very good: settled conditions, fewer boats, warm water. Avoid entirely October–April — Jugo frequency is too high to make S-coast anchorages reliable.
Navigation Hazards
- S and SW exposure: Jugo (S/SE, F5–7) sends large swell from the open Adriatic directly into this bay; it becomes untenable within 1–2 hours of Jugo developing; this is the most critical hazard
- Rock patches on bay bottom: anchor can set on rock and drag on the first pull; snorkelling is mandatory to verify holding before going below or leaving the boat
- 150m beach exclusion at the bay head beach Jun 15–Sep 15: position anchor well seaward of the beach
- Proximity to Zlatni Rat creates high day-trip motorboat traffic in the area Jul–Aug; speed restrictions apply within 300m of Zlatni Rat beach
- Steep bay sides mean gusts can be channelled from the N ridge in Bura conditions — while N Bura is not an overnight risk in this S-facing bay, sudden gusts can occur
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: 150m beach exclusion zone applies Jun 15–Sep 15 on any beach in the bay. Posidonia anchoring prohibited. Depart if any S or SW wind forecast above F3. Rock bottom hazard — snorkel to confirm anchor placement.
- 150m beach exclusion (SSVO 2025): No anchoring within 150m of public beaches, June 15–Sep 15.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Bol (Brač island) (2nm)
- Restaurant: Small seasonal konoba at the bay head (open June–September, erratic hours). All provisions and fuel at Bol (~2nm E) — well equipped town with supermarkets, fuel, marina.
- Provisions: None on site — Bol (Brač island) (2nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Plan Lučice as a morning-to-noon anchorage: arrive early before the Mistral builds on the S Brač coast, swim and have lunch, then depart to Stari Grad or Milna before the afternoon conditions develop
- The konoba at the head serves excellent grilled fish and local Plavac Mali wine from the Brač vineyards — if it is open (check a face-to-face the night before from Bol) it is worth the detour
- Combine with a sail past Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) to Bol — the approach from W gives the best views of the famous golden sand horn that changes shape with the wind
- Always snorkel the anchor after setting — the mixed sand/rock bottom means you cannot assume holding from the scope or the boat behaviour alone
- Download the Navily app positions before entering the bay and cross-check with the HHI chart (Brač S coast sheet) for the clearest sandy patches
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts, NAVTEX, and current HHI charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Lučice
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