Mana Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Mana 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.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Mana is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–15m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (105m chain at 15m depth).
2. Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on the anchor.
3. Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. Snorkel to verify. Given the fair holding here, it is strongly recommended to snorkel down and visually confirm the anchor is buried in sand, not resting on Posidonia or rock.

Recommended anchor types for this bottom: Rocna, Mantus, Spade. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Mana are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to W and SW and S and NW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below for the night.100m for the main west bay in 5–12m on mixed sand and rock. The rocky bottom and variable depth require a conservative alarm setting. If in the shallower sandy zone (3–5m), reduce to 65m. Mana is primarily a daytime anchorage — overnight requires settled conditions with no westerly swell forecast. The circular island form provides little shelter from W and SW.

Best in May–June and September when afternoon Mistral is predictable and westerly swell is unlikely. July–August is viable for day stops but arrive before 10:00. Avoid entirely in SW, W, or Jugo conditions — the bay offers no protection from these directions.

Navigation Hazards

• Open to W, SW, S, and NW — any westerly or southerly swell makes the bay untenable; day stop only unless settled overnight forecast
• Rock bottom predominates — anchor on sandy patches only; snorkel to verify holding before leaving the boat
• Rock fall risk: dramatic cliff faces above the W bay are unstable; do not anchor within 10m of any cliff base
• Posidonia fringes the approach — approach centrally and snorkel the anchor
• Very limited anchoring space — if occupied by more than 3 boats, the bay is full; do not attempt to anchor if swing circles overlap

Rules & Regulations

• Kornati NP entry permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Kornati National Park daily entry fee per person. Mana is protected as part of the outer Kornati — no camping or fires ashore.
• Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; park entry fee per person per day
• Restrictions: Posidonia anchoring strictly prohibited. No fires or camping ashore on Mana. Cliffs: do not approach within 10m of cliff base (rock fall risk). Day stop recommended — overnight only in very settled conditions.
• Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit also required — obtain before entering Croatian waters.

For a full overview of Croatian anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available — come fully provisioned
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Murter (mainland) (24nm)
• Konoba (restaurant): None — nearest at Murter (mainland) (24nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Murter (mainland) (24nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. The colour of the water in the W bay at midday is extraordinary — an almost fluorescent turquoise against the white and orange cliff — come at noon for the best light
2. Snorkel the anchor immediately after setting; the sand patches are visible but small and the anchor can rest on rock if not well placed
3. The view from the cliff top (accessible via a steep scramble on the N side) looking down into the bay is one of the iconic Kornati perspectives — allow 1 hour for the scramble
4. Arrive early: the bay fills with day-tripping motor boats and charter yachts by 11:00 in July–August; anchor by 10:00 for the best spot
5. Mana is best combined with a Vrulje visit on the same day — both are dramatic coastal landscapes within an hour of each other