Marina Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Luka Marina, Marina Trogir, Marina Bay Kaštela
Marina is a quiet traditional Dalmatian fishing village on the mainland N coast of Kaštela Bay (Kaštelanski Zaljev), 8nm E of Trogir. Despite its modest size, it offers a well-sheltered anchorage with excellent mud holding, decent provisions, and a pleasant waterfront with a small castle (Andreis Tower, 15th century) that once protected the village from Ottoman raids. The bay faces S and is protected from S and SE by the Čiovo island ridge — Jugo from the S is not the primary concern here. Instead, Bura from the N/NE across Kaštela Bay is the main hazard to manage. In the typical summer NW Mistral, the bay is sheltered and comfortable. The village has a konoba, small shop, post office, and water at the quay — enough for basic provisioning. As a gateway anchorage near Trogir (UNESCO World Heritage town), Marina is a quieter alternative to the busy Trogir marina for those wishing to explore the Trogir old town by dinghy or water taxi.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°31.8'N 16°03.2'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
S, SW, SE, E, W
Exposed To
N, NW, NE
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor in bay. Quay: harbour dues approx €10–20 per night
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m in the main anchorage in 3–5m on mud. Bay is moderately sized — adequate swing room for 8–10 yachts. Key risk is Bura from N/NE: the bay opens N toward Kaštela Bay and Bura can funnel in from the Dinaric Alps. If strong Bura (>F6) is forecast, consider using the ACI Marina Trogir or ACI Marina Kaštela Gomilica as a more protected port. In settled summer Mistral conditions, 70m is comfortable and the bay is stable.
Bay — main anchorage: 70m recommended — The bay at Marina village sits on the N shore of the Kaštela Bay approach, sheltered from S through W by the Čiovo island ridge and the surrounding terrain.
W sector — additional anchorage: 85m recommended — The W sector of the bay (further from the village) provides deeper water (4–7m) on soft mud with excellent holding.
Anchoring Zones
Marina 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: Bay — main anchorage
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: S, SW, SE, E, W
- Exposed to: N, NW, NE
- Recommended alarm radius: 70m
The bay at Marina village sits on the N shore of the Kaštela Bay approach, sheltered from S through W by the Čiovo island ridge and the surrounding terrain. Mud and sand bottom in 3–5m gives excellent holding. Protected from the S, SW, and SE — meaning Jugo is not a significant concern. The main hazard is Bura from N/NE, which blows into the bay from the open Kaštela Bay to the N. In the summer Mistral pattern the bay is very comfortable. The village quay has space for a few yachts stern-to with harbour dues.
Zone 2: W sector — additional anchorage
- Depth: 4–8m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: S, SW, W, SE
- Exposed to: N, NW, NE
- Recommended alarm radius: 85m
The W sector of the bay (further from the village) provides deeper water (4–7m) on soft mud with excellent holding. More swing room available. Similar exposure to the main bay. Good for overnight stays when the bay head is occupied. The mud bottom is extremely reliable for anchor setting.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Marina is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- 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 mud, not Posidonia (anchoring on it carries heavy fines). Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Marina are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to N and NW and NE winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m in the main anchorage in 3–5m on mud. Bay is moderately sized — adequate swing room for 8–10 yachts. Key risk is Bura from N/NE: the bay opens N toward Kaštela Bay and Bura can funnel in from the Dinaric Alps. If strong Bura (>F6) is forecast, consider using the ACI Marina Trogir or ACI Marina Kaštela Gomilica as a more protected port. In settled summer Mistral conditions, 70m is comfortable and the bay is stable.
May–October is fully viable. July–August is busiest but the bay is rarely crowded as it is off the main charter route. September is excellent — quiet village, warm water, stable conditions. The bay can be used in mild Bura conditions (F4–5) as a reasonable shelter; stronger Bura requires a move to a marina.
Navigation Hazards
- Bura (NE): the bay faces N across Kaštela Bay and strong Bura (F7+) can sweep across the open bay and create steep short chop in the anchorage; in strong Bura use ACI Marina Trogir or Trogir town quay for better shelter
- Kaštela Bay is a semi-enclosed sea with its own wind acceleration patterns — local Bura and Mistral effects can be stronger than the regional forecast suggests; local knowledge is valuable
- Airport approaches: Split Airport is on the E side of Kaštela Bay; the anchorage at Marina is well clear of the approach path but be aware of the restricted zones on the E shore
- Shallow approach on the W side of the bay — use the centre of the bay on approach; minimum depth 3m on the centreline
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in bay. Quay: harbour dues approx €10–20 per night
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Posidonia anchoring prohibited (check bay margins). 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15. Kaštela Bay: restricted anchoring zones near Split Airport approach — remain in the Marina bay and do not anchor in the flight path zone.
- 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: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Marina village (0.1nm)
- Restaurant: Konoba Marina (seasonal, good Dalmatian food). Small grocery shop. No fuel — nearest at ACI Marina Trogir (8nm W) or ACI Marina Kaštela (Split area). Water at quay.
- Provisions: Available
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Use Marina as a base for a day trip to Trogir old town by dinghy (8nm) or water taxi — the UNESCO-listed medieval town is one of the finest in Croatia and easily reached by water
- The Andreis Tower in the village centre is open in summer and gives excellent views over Kaštela Bay — worth a 30-minute visit
- The konoba here is excellent value compared to the inflated prices in tourist-heavy Trogir — have dinner at Marina and save the Trogir waterfront for aperitifs
- For a Kaštela Bay circuit, combine Marina with Slatine on Čiovo (3nm E) and then Trogir for a 2–3 night loop from Split
- The mud holding here is so reliable that you can set a 4:1 scope and sleep well — the anchor is almost impossible to drag in settled conditions on this bottom
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 Marina
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential on the Dalmatian coast where bura and jugo can arrive overnight.
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