Opat Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Opat, Opat Bay, Opat Cove Kornat
Opat is a deep, well-sheltered bay on the SE coast of Kornat island that is frequently overlooked by charter fleets in favour of the more famous Lojena or Lavsa — making it a rewarding find for independent sailors seeking a quieter overnight. The bay runs roughly E–W, and the surrounding karst ridges of Kornat provide remarkable shelter from both the NE Bura and the NW Mistral. The mud and sand bottom gives excellent holding throughout the anchoring area. A small fishing hut or konoba has operated seasonally at the bay head, serving local fish and grappa to the occasional visiting yacht — check locally for current status. The landscape is classic outer Kornati: bare white limestone terraces descending to crystalline water, with the silence broken only by the cicadas ashore and the occasional splash of a leaping fish.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°47.0'N 15°26.5'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, NW
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor; park entry fee per person per day
Park Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Kornati National Park daily entry fee per person. Opat is within the park boundary — all NP rules apply.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m for the bay head in 4–8m on sand/mud with 5:1 scope. The bay orientation and surrounding topography limit SW exposure as the effective fetch is short. In the deeper mid-bay, increase to 120m. Reduce to 55m in calm settled conditions in the bay head. This is one of the best NW-sheltered bays in the central Kornati.
Bay head — NW shelter zone: 70m recommended — The bay head in 4–8m on sand and mud is one of the finest NW-sheltered anchorages on the E coast of the outer Kornati.
Mid-bay — good overnight position: 120m recommended — Deeper mid-bay on mud with excellent holding.
Entrance shelf — fair-weather stop: 60m recommended — A shallow shelf at the bay entrance in 3–5m on sand and gravel.
Anchoring Zones
Opat has 3 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: Bay head — NW shelter zone
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, NW
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 70m
The bay head in 4–8m on sand and mud is one of the finest NW-sheltered anchorages on the E coast of the outer Kornati. The bay is oriented roughly E–W; the surrounding high ground deflects both NE Bura and NW Mistral, leaving the bay head remarkably calm in both conditions. Mud holding is excellent. Space for 8–10 yachts in the bay head area.
Zone 2: Mid-bay — good overnight position
- Depth: 8–18m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, NW
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 120m
Deeper mid-bay on mud with excellent holding. Adequate for overnight in typical summer conditions. The deeper water requires more chain scope — set 5:1 minimum and use a snubber. More exposed than the bay head to any W or SW wind, but the hill mass provides useful deflection. A quieter position when the bay head is occupied.
Zone 3: Entrance shelf — fair-weather stop
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: sand, gravel
- Holding: Fair holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 60m
A shallow shelf at the bay entrance in 3–5m on sand and gravel. Fair holding; more exposed to NW Mistral than the bay head. Suitable for a lunch stop or short stay in calm conditions. Enter carefully — shoals may extend from the S entrance shore; approach centrally.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Opat is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 4–10m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
- 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.
- Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- Snorkel to verify bottom type. Posidonia meadows are common in the Kornati — always confirm your anchor is on sand or mud, not Posidonia (anchoring on it carries heavy fines). Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types for this bottom: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Opat are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to W and SW winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below for the night.70m for the bay head in 4–8m on sand/mud with 5:1 scope. The bay orientation and surrounding topography limit SW exposure as the effective fetch is short. In the deeper mid-bay, increase to 120m. Reduce to 55m in calm settled conditions in the bay head. This is one of the best NW-sheltered bays in the central Kornati.
Excellent May–October. The lack of charter-fleet awareness makes this a quiet overnight anchorage even in peak July–August. Perfect for sailors wanting the Kornati experience without the crowds. October can be used in settled spells; watch for early-season Bura and Jugo episodes from September onwards.
Navigation Hazards
- W and SW exposed: afternoon Mistral chop enters the bay entrance from the W — the bay head is protected but the mid-bay becomes lively in sustained NW above F5
- Shoals on S entrance shore — approach on the central line; minimum depth on approach approximately 4m
- Bura: despite good NE shelter, extreme Bura katabatic gusts can still generate wind acceleration over the ridge; keep anchor firmly set with adequate scope
- No services — carry sufficient water and provisions; the konoba is unreliable
Rules & Regulations
- Kornati NP entry permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Kornati National Park daily entry fee per person. Opat is within the park boundary — all NP rules apply.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; park entry fee per person per day
- Restrictions: Posidonia anchoring prohibited. No fires ashore. No anchoring outside the designated bay area. No fishing without park permit.
- 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) (19nm)
- Konoba (restaurant): Small seasonal fishing konoba at the bay head — intermittently open June–September; menu is simple (fish, bread, wine) and entirely dependent on the day's catch. Do not rely on this for dinner — bring your own provisions.
- Provisions: None on site — Murter (mainland) (19nm)
Skipper's Tips
- One of the best-kept secrets in the central Kornati — very few charter boats come here, giving you the anchorage almost entirely to yourself even in August
- Set the anchor with engine reverse at 1,500 rpm for 20 seconds in the mud to ensure it is properly buried — Opat's mud gives excellent holding once set
- The ridge walk above the bay to the E gives a spectacular panorama across the Kornati channel towards the islands of Žut and Kakan — a superb 45-minute scramble
- If the konoba is open, ask for prstaci (date mussels) if available — they are technically protected but occasionally appear on the plate in remote Kornati konobe; decline and order fish instead
- Use this anchorage as a base for a day sail to Vrulje (beautiful cliffs, dramatic scenery) and Lojena (sandy beach) — both reachable within 2 hours
A note on this guide: The data in this guide has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Anchorage conditions — including depth, holding, national park fees, and local regulations — can change. Before visiting, always check current weather forecasts, NAVTEX and VHF weather bulletins, and consult your up-to-date HHI charts. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Opat
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously through the night and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — so you can relax and enjoy the Kornati without worrying about bura overnight.
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