Rab Town Anchorage Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Rab Harbour, Uvala Rab, Rab Natural Harbour, Rab Paradise
Rab Town and its magnificent natural harbour constitute one of the crowning achievements of Adriatic sailing. The medieval town — with four Romanesque campanile towers, well-preserved city walls, and a labyrinthine old town — is listed among Croatia's most outstanding architectural ensembles. The harbour is naturally sheltered on nearly all sides, created by the irregular coastline of Rab Island's northern tip. The holding on mud and sand is excellent, and the waters are clear despite the depth. Rab was a Roman city (Arba), and the UNESCO-quality town rising directly above the anchorage creates a Mediterranean atmosphere that few harbours in the world can match. The island itself has a famous microclimate — one side is barren karstic moonscape, the other densely forested; the transition is abrupt and spectacular. This is the natural Kvarner overnight anchorage of choice.
Quick Reference
GPS
44°45.4'N 14°45.6'E
Depth
6–15m
Bottom
mud, sand
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 in natural harbour; Rab Town marina berths at standard Croatian ACI rates
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m in the main harbour basin at 6–14m on mud/sand. Near-all-round protection makes this one of the most secure anchorages in the Kvarner. W and SW exposure: in strong Libeccio (SW wind), swell enters the outer bay; move to inner position behind the town headland or use Rab marina. Kvarner Bura is well-sheltered here by surrounding topography.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Rab Town Anchorage has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Main harbour basin — natural bay
- Depth: 6–15m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 85m
The natural harbour at Rab Town is one of the finest naturally sheltered anchorages in the Adriatic — a deep, near-landlocked basin protected on nearly all sides by the surrounding hills and the bay's funnel geometry. Mud and sand bottom with excellent holding in 6–14m. Exposed only to W and SW (Libeccio) which is the least common wind direction in summer. The medieval town rises in four campaniles directly above the anchorage — one of the most extraordinary marine settings in the Mediterranean.
Zone 2: Outer bay — more swinging room
- Depth: 10–20m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 120m
Deeper outer section with more swinging room for larger yachts. Mud holding is outstanding — all anchors set well in soft mud. More open to W/SW but still very comfortable overnight in all but Libeccio conditions. Use 120m alarm radius in deep water with full scope.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Rab Town Anchorage: primarily mud and sand. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (105m at 15m). In the Kvarner, always set extra scope for potential Bura.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius. 85m in the main harbour basin at 6–14m on mud/sand. Near-all-round protection makes this one of the most secure anchorages in the Kvarner. W and SW exposure: in strong Libeccio (SW wind), swell enters the outer bay; move to inner position behind the town headland or use Rab marina. Kvarner Bura is well-sheltered here by surrounding topography.
May–October: excellent through the season. June and September are ideal — warm, settled, manageable crowds. July–August: the most beautiful setting but crowded; Rab is deservedly one of Croatia's most visited sailing destinations. Kvarner Bura in autumn/winter requires marina shelter.
Navigation Hazards
- Kvarner Bura: Rab's harbour is one of the best Bura shelters in the Kvarner but severe Bura (F9+) events still generate gusts; deep mud holding provides security; keep scope at 7:1 minimum
- W and SW exposure (Libeccio): if sustained W wind above F5, the outer bay becomes uncomfortable; Rab marina is 0.5nm
- Ferry traffic: Rab–Jablanac car ferry and fast catamaran to Rijeka cross the harbour entrance; maintain radio watch Ch 16 and visual watch
- High season crowding: Rab is extremely popular; July–August sees the harbour full; arrive before noon
- Underwater archaeology: Rab was Roman; report any unusual artefacts to the harbour master — do not disturb
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in natural harbour; Rab Town marina berths at standard Croatian ACI rates
- Restrictions: Ferry traffic (Rab–Jablanac, Rab–Stinica) — keep clear of ferry fairways. Croatian eNautička permit required. 150m beach exclusion applies at town beaches in season.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Rab Town (0.5nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Excellent selection of restaurants in Rab Town old town, 5 min by dinghy. Outstanding Kvarner seafood — try the Rab lamb and local Žlahtina white wine.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive in the late afternoon to catch the golden light on the four campanile towers — the most photographed view in Kvarner
- Walk the medieval city walls for panoramic views over the harbour and out to sea — the best vantage point for a sunset anchorage survey
- The Rab Carnival (February) and Rab Medieval Festival (July) are outstanding cultural events if timing aligns
- Rab lamb (janjetina na ražnju) is regarded as among the finest in Croatia — the limestone pastures produce uniquely flavoured meat; try it at a konoba in the old town
- For a Bura contingency: the S bay of Rab (Barbat/Kampor anchorages) provides alternative W-sheltered positions
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 Rab Town Anchorage
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position and alerts you the moment your boat drifts — essential in the Kvarner where Bura arrives fast.
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