Rogač Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Luka Rogač, Rogač Bay, Rogac Šolta, Porto Rogač
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. The bay is reasonably well sheltered from N and W — the dominant summer Mistral quarter — and the inner bay on soft mud provides reliable overnight holding. The village has a supermarket, post office, pharmacy, and ATM — making it a useful reprovisioning stop on a Dalmatian circuit. The ferry creates the main operational hazard: large car ferries manoeuvre in the bay and the designated swing area must be kept absolutely clear. Despite the functional character of a ferry port, the surrounding hills are green and attractive and the bay is comfortable in typical summer conditions. Used as a crew change base for split charter weeks.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°24.1'N 16°18.2'E
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NW, W, SW
Exposed To
S, SE, E
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor in designated anchorage areas. Quay use incurs harbour dues.
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m in the outer bay in 4–7m clear of ferry traffic. Reduce to 65m in the inner bay where conditions are calmer and space is more constrained. Critical: the Split–Rogač car ferry operates regularly and the swing basin and approach channel must remain absolutely clear at all times. Do not anchor in the designated ferry zone shown on HHI charts. If in doubt about position relative to the ferry lane, contact the harbour master.
Outer bay — free anchorage away from ferry: 75m recommended — The outer bay S of the ferry quay provides adequate anchorage in 4–7m on sand and mud away from the ferry traffic.
Inner bay — well sheltered: 65m recommended — The inner bay extends W of the ferry terminal and offers excellent shelter from N through W to S.
Anchoring Zones
Rogač 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: Outer bay — free anchorage away from ferry
- Depth: 4–8m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NW, W, SW
- Exposed to: S, SE, E
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
The outer bay S of the ferry quay provides adequate anchorage in 4–7m on sand and mud away from the ferry traffic. The ferry quay is on the N side of the bay — anchor to the S and W to clear the ferry turning area. Holding is good on sand/mud. Protected from N, NW, and W — the main summer Mistral is from NW so this is comfortable in the typical summer weather pattern. Some exposure to E and SE.
Zone 2: Inner bay — well sheltered
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NW, W, SW, S
- Exposed to: SE, E
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
The inner bay extends W of the ferry terminal and offers excellent shelter from N through W to S. Soft mud in 3–5m gives superb holding. This is the best overnight position — well clear of ferry traffic and protected from most wind directions. Only SE and E are exposed, making this a reliable anchorage in summer Mistral and Bura conditions. Space for 8–10 yachts comfortably.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Rogač is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Rogač are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE and E winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below. 75m in the outer bay in 4–7m clear of ferry traffic. Reduce to 65m in the inner bay where conditions are calmer and space is more constrained. Critical: the Split–Rogač car ferry operates regularly and the swing basin and approach channel must remain absolutely clear at all times. Do not anchor in the designated ferry zone shown on HHI charts. If in doubt about position relative to the ferry lane, contact the harbour master.
Usable year-round for shelter in emergencies (the all-weather ferry connection makes it a reliable fallback). May–October for cruising use. July–August is the peak ferry season — maximum traffic. Preferably a transit stop for provisions or crew change rather than a multi-night destination.
Navigation Hazards
- Ferry traffic: large car ferries operate frequently Split–Rogač; the swing basin and approach channel must be kept completely clear — this is the primary hazard here and non-compliance risks a very serious incident
- SE and E exposure in the outer bay: Jugo sends swell from the E into the outer bay; move to the inner bay in Jugo conditions
- Bura from NE can be funnelled and accelerated through the N Šolta landscape into the bay in strong NE events — the inner bay is better sheltered than the outer
- Limited anchoring space in the inner bay — only 8–10 yachts can comfortably anchor before swing circles overlap
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in designated anchorage areas. Quay use incurs harbour dues.
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: Ferry swing basin and approach channel must remain clear at all times. No anchoring in the ferry turn zone. Standard Posidonia and beach exclusion rules apply. Keep 150m from any beach Jun 15–Sep 15.
- 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: Rogač village (0.3nm)
- Restaurant: Restaurant and konoba near the ferry terminal. Supermarket in the village (10-min walk) — good for full reprovisioning. Pharmacy, ATM, post office in village. Nearest fuel at Split or Trogir.
- Provisions: Available
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- The ferry schedule is your main planning input: Check the Jadrolinija Split–Rogač timetable and plan arrivals/departures around ferry movements; in peak season ferries run every 1–2 hours
- Anchor in the inner bay W of the ferry quay for the best overnight shelter — the mud holding is reliable and the ferry noise reduces after the last sailing (typically 22:00–23:00)
- Rogač is the ideal crew change point: the ferry to Split takes 35 minutes and connects directly to Split airport (30 min further by taxi) — plan crew changes here rather than the more exposed Stomorska
- Stock up on provisions in the village supermarket — the best selection on Šolta — before heading to Šešula or Maslinica for overnight
- Ask at the harbour master office about current anchoring restrictions and any temporary ferry schedule changes in peak season
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 Rogač
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.
Download Free for iOS