Zaton Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Zaton, Zaton Mali, Zaton Harbour
Zaton Bay is a quiet, residential inlet on the N side of the Dubrovnik coast, just 6nm from Gruž harbour. A local favourite, the bay has a peaceful character with pine trees running down to the water, a residential quay, and a well-regarded konoba restaurant. The sand and mud bottom provides excellent holding and the natural shape of the bay gives shelter from all directions except W/SW. Convenient for visiting Dubrovnik by bus (regular bus from the main road above Zaton to the old town) without having to navigate the crowded harbour area. A much quieter, lower-cost alternative to anchoring near the city.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°41.5'N 18°01.0'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Standard maritime regulations.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m on excellent sand/mud in 3–7m. Very well sheltered bay — minimal swing in most conditions. Increase to 80m if anchoring in the outer section. W and SW are the only exposures — rare in summer.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Zaton Bay (also Zaton Mali, the smaller of two Zaton bays) is a quiet residential inlet N of Dubrovnik. Anchor on excellent sand and mud in 3–6m. Well sheltered from almost all directions — only W and SW represent any exposure. Residential area with a small quay, konoba, and beautiful pine-lined shores. Popular with Dubrovnik locals at weekends. Good public bus connection to Dubrovnik from the road above.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Zaton Bay is primarily sand and mud. Deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m depth). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify — avoid anchoring on Posidonia (fines up to €2,000).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius. 65m on excellent sand/mud in 3–7m. Very well sheltered bay — minimal swing in most conditions. Increase to 80m if anchoring in the outer section. W and SW are the only exposures — rare in summer.
Good all season May–October. One of the most underrated anchorages near Dubrovnik. Very quiet in shoulder months. Can be used in poor weather given excellent all-round shelter.
Navigation Hazards
- Weekend day boats from Dubrovnik can create brief wash and congestion Saturday afternoons in season
- W and SW exposure — rare in summer; if strong W/SW develops move to inner cove or depart
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Standard maritime regulations.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Residential area — respect quiet hours after 23:00. No tying to private jetties without permission.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Dubrovnik (Gruž supermarkets) (6nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Good konoba restaurant at the quay. Open most of the year.
- Provisions: None on site — Dubrovnik (Gruž supermarkets) (6nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Excellent base for visiting Dubrovnik without dealing with the old harbour — take the regular bus from the road above
- The konoba serves excellent grilled fish and is open most of the year — a local institution
- Very peaceful on weekday evenings — feels like a private bay compared to the Elafiti bustle
- Good holding means you can leave the boat safely while exploring Dubrovnik for the day
A note on this guide: Always check current weather, NAVTEX/VHF bulletins, and HHI charts. Use a GPS anchor alarm — never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Zaton Bay
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