Polače Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Palazzo, Polace, Uvala Polače
Polače is the most celebrated and spectacular anchorage in the Mljet National Park — arguably one of the finest in the entire Adriatic. The bay is dominated by the remarkably preserved ruins of a 5th-century Roman summer palace built directly at the waterfront, with walls still standing to full height in places. Dense Mediterranean maquis runs to the water's edge, the water is impossibly clear, and the park's twin saltwater lakes (accessible on foot or by NP boat) are a short walk away. The 12th-century Benedictine monastery on the island in Veliko Jezero is the park's centrepiece. Entry fee and mooring buoys are mandatory inside the park. Arrive early in July–August — by 10:00 the bay can be fully occupied.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°51.5'N 17°23.5'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Fee
Free anchoring prohibited in NP — mooring buoys mandatory. Park entry fee per person per day.
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Mljet National Park entry fee ~€15–25 per person per day. Mooring buoys MANDATORY — free anchoring prohibited within NP boundaries. Buoy fees may be additional. Park wardens patrol Jun–Sep.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m on mooring buoys — set this radius on your buoy position. Free anchoring is not permitted inside Mljet NP. If mooring buoy cable is long, 50m still appropriate. W/SW exposure — rare in summer but bay becomes exposed in strong W; consider departure or securing bow line to shore via dinghy.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Polače has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Main bay — mooring buoys (NP mandatory)
- Depth: 3–8m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 50m
NATIONAL PARK — MOORING BUOYS MANDATORY. Free anchoring is prohibited within Mljet National Park boundaries. Mooring buoys are available in the main bay at Polače. The buoys are well maintained and can accommodate yachts up to approximately 15m. Buoy fees are included in the park entry fee (sometimes an additional mooring fee applies). In July–August, arrive before 10:00 to secure a buoy — by midday the bay is often completely full. The 5th-century Roman palace ruins are directly at the waterfront — extraordinary setting.
Zone 2: N cove — additional buoys
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 60m
Additional mooring buoys in the N cove of Polače provide overflow capacity. Slightly less sheltered than the main bay but good in typical summer conditions. When the main bay is full (common by 11:00 in August), check the N cove for available buoys before sailing to Pomena.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Polače: primarily sand and mud. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (56m at 8m). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify bottom — avoid Posidonia (€2,000 fine).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 50m radius. 50m on mooring buoys — set this radius on your buoy position. Free anchoring is not permitted inside Mljet NP. If mooring buoy cable is long, 50m still appropriate. W/SW exposure — rare in summer but bay becomes exposed in strong W; consider departure or securing bow line to shore via dinghy.
May and June are superb — buoys available even in peak morning arrival. July–August requires very early arrival. September is outstanding: most buoys available, warm water, no crowds. Avoid in strong W/SW conditions — seek shelter at Okuklje on SE coast.
Navigation Hazards
- Arrive before 10:00 in Jul–Aug — buoys fill rapidly and late arrivals may find none available; alternative is Pomena (4nm W)
- W and SW exposure — afternoon Mistral can create chop; buoy lines become taut but this is manageable in typical summer conditions
- National Park fee enforcement — park wardens check tickets; do not enter park without paying
- No free anchoring — anchoring without a buoy inside the NP is a finable offence
- Access to the lakes is only on foot or NP boat — the lake channel is off-limits to private vessels
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Mljet National Park entry fee ~€15–25 per person per day. Mooring buoys MANDATORY — free anchoring prohibited within NP boundaries. Buoy fees may be additional. Park wardens patrol Jun–Sep.
- Anchoring fee: Free anchoring prohibited in NP — mooring buoys mandatory. Park entry fee per person per day.
- Mooring buoys: Available — Included in park entry fee or small additional charge
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: No free anchoring within Mljet NP boundaries. No fishing without NP permit. No camping ashore. Respect wildlife — the island has mongoose (introduced to control snakes) and various Mediterranean reptiles. No fires. 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Korčula town (14nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Small konoba/restaurant at the quay open in season (Jun–Sep). Limited provisions at village shop.
- Provisions: None — Korčula town (14nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive by 09:00 in August to secure the best buoy positions
- Walk to Malo Jezero (Small Lake) — 15 minutes from the quay — for a beautiful freshwater-like swim in calm saltwater
- Take the NP boat across to the monastery island in Veliko Jezero — the 12th-century Benedictine monastery is magnificent
- The Roman palace ruins at Polače quay are accessible from the boat and free to walk around (within NP)
- Pack a picnic for the lakes — the taverna in the NP is basic; bring your own lunch if you plan a full day of walking
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 Polače
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