Milna Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Luka Milna, Milna Bay, Porto Milna, Milna Brač
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. The bay runs roughly N–S with a narrow entrance from the W (Brač Channel) that quickly opens into a wide protected inner bay and a quieter N arm. Rod Heikell awards Milna the highest marks for Brač: 'one of the best anchorages in the central Adriatic — all-weather except SE'. The town of Milna is authentically Dalmatian: a small fishing community with a Venetian-era waterfront, excellent local konobas, well-stocked supermarkets, and a modest marina that provides water, electricity, and a fuel berth. The sand and mud bottom gives superb holding throughout. Used as a hurricane hole by many charter fleets when the weather deteriorates — a reliable bolt hole whenever the Bura or strong Mistral makes the open passages unpleasant. Napoleon Bonaparte's brother Joseph allegedly sheltered here in 1807 on his voyage to Ragusa.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°19.7'N 16°26.9'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, W
Exposed To
S, SE
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor in bay. Marina harbour dues if using pontoon berth or buoy
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m for the main bay head in 5–8m on mud/sand. The bay is wide enough in the anchorage area to accommodate generous swing. Reduce to 60m in the N arm where depths are shallower and space more constrained. Only Jugo (SE) threatens this anchorage — if SE swell develops, the bay becomes uncomfortable despite good overall protection. The N arm remains the best overnight option in Jugo conditions.
Bay head — main anchorage: 80m recommended — The bay head offers outstanding all-weather protection from N, NE, NW, E and W — effectively everything except SE.
N arm — Sutmiholjska Bay: 60m recommended — The N arm (Sutmiholjska uvala) extends to the NE and provides the best all-round shelter in the Milna bay system.
Outer bay — passage anchorage: 120m recommended — Outer bay positions are deeper (8–15m) and provide less shelter.
Anchoring Zones
Milna has 3 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 head — main anchorage
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, W
- Exposed to: S, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 80m
The bay head offers outstanding all-weather protection from N, NE, NW, E and W — effectively everything except SE. Sand and mud bottom in 4–8m gives excellent holding. The bay narrows and deepens as you progress inland; the widest anchoring area is in the inner 2/3 of the bay, well clear of the small marina and town quay. Some mooring buoys laid by local operators may be present — use if available to reduce swing circles in peak season. Keep clear of the local boats moored stern-to the quay.
Zone 2: N arm — Sutmiholjska Bay
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, S, W
- Exposed to: SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 60m
The N arm (Sutmiholjska uvala) extends to the NE and provides the best all-round shelter in the Milna bay system. Very well protected in 3–6m on mud and sand. This is where Rod Heikell recommends anchoring for overnight: away from the ferry quay activity and more protected than the main bay area. Depths are shallower — ideal for boats of up to 2.5m draught. Space for 6–8 yachts.
Zone 3: Outer bay — passage anchorage
- Depth: 8–18m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E
- Exposed to: S, SE, W
- Recommended alarm radius: 120m
Outer bay positions are deeper (8–15m) and provide less shelter. Good as a temporary stop before finding an inner berth, or for larger vessels that need greater depth. More exposed to Jugo swell from the SE — do not overnight in SE conditions.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Milna is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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, Delta, CQR, Bugel. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Milna are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below. 80m for the main bay head in 5–8m on mud/sand. The bay is wide enough in the anchorage area to accommodate generous swing. Reduce to 60m in the N arm where depths are shallower and space more constrained. Only Jugo (SE) threatens this anchorage — if SE swell develops, the bay becomes uncomfortable despite good overall protection. The N arm remains the best overnight option in Jugo conditions.
Genuinely usable April–October and even in light-weather winter passages — the all-weather protection makes it a year-round port of refuge. July–August is busy but the bay is large enough to absorb the charter fleet. May, June, September, and early October are ideal: warm, less crowded, settled conditions. The N arm is particularly rewarding in September when summer crowds thin and the light on the Brač hillsides turns golden.
Navigation Hazards
- SE exposure (Jugo): the bay entrance faces W but swell wraps in from the S in strong Jugo; the N arm remains sheltered; if Jugo exceeds F5 the main bay anchorage becomes uncomfortable
- Posidonia fringe on bay margins — inspect and snorkel anchor placement if bottom type is ambiguous at the bay edges
- Peak season crowding: July–August the bay fills by early afternoon; arrive by 12:00 for a good spot; anchor sets may be limited
- Ferry route through the outer bay — keep clear of any marked fairway and do not anchor across the ferry track
- Mistral (NW, F3–5) can funnel through the outer bay entrance in the afternoon creating a lop, though the inner bay and N arm remain calm
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in bay. Marina harbour dues if using pontoon berth or buoy
- Mooring buoys: Available — fee may apply
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Anchoring on Posidonia meadows prohibited. Keep clear of ferry route and local boat moorings. 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15. No tying to trees or rocks ashore. Marina VHF Ch 17.
- 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: Available
- Restaurant: Several excellent konobas on the waterfront — Konoba Barba Joze and Konoba Hvar are local favourites. Good supermarket in the village for full provisioning. Chandlery and basic marine supplies available.
- Provisions: Available
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Anchor in the N arm (Sutmiholjska) for the most sheltered and peaceful overnight: go bow-out into 4–6m on mud and swing freely — this arm is the best spot in a Jugo
- Milna marina is a useful base for provisioning before heading S or W — fuel up and fill water tanks here, as the next reliable fuel on Šolta or Hvar N coast requires more effort
- The evening meal in Milna town is genuinely excellent — the local Brač wine (Pošip or Plavac Mali) pairs perfectly with grilled fish fresh off the morning boats; book a table by 18:00 in peak season
- In a Bura event, Milna is arguably the best hurricane hole on Brač — the narrow W entrance and inland bay geometry break the katabatic flow effectively; make for here early if Bura is forecast
- Dinghy ashore to the old Venetian church (St. John) on the waterfront and walk up to the fort ruins above the town for panoramic views over the bay — a 20-minute scramble
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 Milna
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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