Slatine Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Slatine, Slatine Bay, Slatine Čiovo, Slatine Trogir
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. The bay is sheltered from the S and W by the Čiovo island mass, providing good protection from the summer Jugo and Mistral. The setting is attractive: olive groves and Mediterranean scrub on the hillside behind the village, a traditional konoba on the waterfront, and Trogir's famous cathedral and old town visible across the channel. The sand and mud bottom gives reliable holding and the anchorage is comfortable in the prevailing summer weather. The main limitation is NE exposure — Bura blows directly into the bay and the island provides no barrier from this direction. Ferries between Trogir and Kaštela may pass near the bay — keep watch. As a gateway anchorage to Trogir with practical shelter in summer Mistral conditions, Slatine is a practical and pleasant choice.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°30.4'N 16°18.6'E
Depth
3–5m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
W, S, SW, SE
Exposed To
N, NE, E
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m in the main bay in 3–4m on sand/mud. Bay is moderately sized — adequate for 6–8 yachts. Close proximity to Trogir and the ferry route means maritime traffic awareness is important. Reduce to 50m in the E section near the village where depth shoals and space narrows. Bura risk: the NE exposure means Bura is a primary concern; if Bura is forecast or developing, move immediately to Trogir marina (3nm W) for proper Bura shelter.
Main bay — primary anchorage: 65m recommended — The main bay on the NE coast of Čiovo island offers good shelter from W, S, SW, and SE — the Čiovo island ridge provides effective protection from the S and SW, making this comfortable in Jugo conditions.
E section — near village: 50m recommended — The E section of the bay near the small village of Slatine has clean sand in 2–3m — ideal for smaller yachts (draught < 1.
Anchoring Zones
Slatine 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: 3–5m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: W, S, SW, SE
- Exposed to: N, NE, E
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
The main bay on the NE coast of Čiovo island offers good shelter from W, S, SW, and SE — the Čiovo island ridge provides effective protection from the S and SW, making this comfortable in Jugo conditions. Sand and mud bottom in 3–4m with good holding. Protected from the summer Mistral (NW) by the island mass. The N and NE are exposed — Bura blows directly into the bay from across the Kaštela Bay direction. Ferry traffic between Trogir and the E Kaštela area may pass near the bay entrance — keep a watch for ferry movements.
Zone 2: E section — near village
- Depth: 2–4m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: W, SW, S, SE
- Exposed to: N, NE, E
- Recommended alarm radius: 50m
The E section of the bay near the small village of Slatine has clean sand in 2–3m — ideal for smaller yachts (draught < 1.8m). Good holding on clean sand. Very shallow — carefully check approach depths. The village has a pleasant waterfront with a konoba. Access to the village quay for dinghy landing. In peak season the bay has day trippers from nearby beaches — confirm anchoring position clear of any local boat moorings.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Slatine is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–5m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (35m chain at 5m 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. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Slatine are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to N and NE and E winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m in the main bay in 3–4m on sand/mud. Bay is moderately sized — adequate for 6–8 yachts. Close proximity to Trogir and the ferry route means maritime traffic awareness is important. Reduce to 50m in the E section near the village where depth shoals and space narrows. Bura risk: the NE exposure means Bura is a primary concern; if Bura is forecast or developing, move immediately to Trogir marina (3nm W) for proper Bura shelter.
May–October for all practical purposes. May and June are ideal: quiet, comfortable, warm. July–August is busier but the bay rarely fills completely. September is among the best months for this anchorage — Trogir is still animated with the tail end of the tourist season but the anchorage itself is peaceful. Use as a Jugo shelter if needed (S protection is good) but not as a Bura shelter.
Navigation Hazards
- Bura (NE): the bay faces N and NE across Kaštela Bay — Bura accelerates across the open bay and enters Slatine unobstructed; in strong Bura (F6+) the anchorage is dangerous; depart to Trogir marina at the first Bura warning
- Ferry traffic: Trogir–Kaštela ferry route passes near the bay entrance; monitor VHF Ch 16 for ferry movements and ensure swing circle does not cross the ferry channel
- Shallow E section: minimum 2m in the E bay near the village; larger yachts must approach cautiously with echo sounder; the main bay is deeper and safer for vessels over 1.8m draught
- Posidonia patches at bay margins: particularly at the E edges; inspect bottom carefully and snorkel to verify before anchoring near bay edges
- Day tripper traffic in July–August: the nearby beach areas attract motorboats and jet skis; enforce the 150m beach zone and keep clear of the day-use areas
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Posidonia anchoring prohibited — check bay margins. 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15. Watch for ferry traffic in the channel. Bura NE forecast: depart to Trogir marina before Bura develops. No tying to trees or rocks ashore.
- 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: Trogir town (3nm)
- Restaurant: Small seasonal konoba in Slatine village (June–September). Full provisions, fuel, and facilities at Trogir marina (3nm W) — Trogir has excellent supermarkets, chandlery, restaurants, and an ATM. Water taxi from Slatine to Trogir available in season.
- Provisions: None on site — Trogir town (3nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Anchor in Slatine and take the water taxi (or dinghy on calm days) to Trogir — the 15-minute trip by water puts you in the heart of one of the most perfectly preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean without the marina crowds and cost
- The cathedral of St Lawrence in Trogir (13th-century) is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece — don't miss the Radovan portal; arrive by 09:00 before tour groups arrive
- Slatine is an excellent base for a circuit of the S Čiovo coast: explore the quiet bays on the S side (Uvala Žedno, Uvala Sičenica) by dinghy — crystal clear water and almost no visitors
- The konoba in Slatine serves the best lamb peka in the area (order 24 hours in advance) — worth the advance planning for a memorable dinner while anchored in the bay
- The proximity to Split Airport (20 min drive from Trogir) makes this an ideal start or end point for a sailing week — charter boats often begin and end their week at Trogir; use Slatine as a quiet first night away from the marina bustle
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 Slatine
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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