Stiniva Cove Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Stiniva Cove 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 Stiniva Cove is primarily sand and pebble with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
2. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
3. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. Snorkel to verify bottom type. Posidonia is widespread around Vis — confirm your anchor is on sand, not Posidonia (anchoring on it carries fines up to €2,000). Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Mooring buoy — anchoring prohibited. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Stiniva Cove are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to S and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 50m radius before going below. ANCHORING IS PROHIBITED INSIDE STINIVA COVE — use mooring buoys only. The 50m alarm radius applies to moored boats; the narrow cove provides exceptional natural shelter from all directions except S and SW. Jugo (SE/S) sends swell through the entrance and makes even moored boats uncomfortable — be prepared to depart promptly.

Mooring buoys typically available June–September. Most spectacular in early June and late September when day-tripper numbers are lower. July–August sees the highest traffic — the cove is packed by 11:00 daily. Outside season the cove is deserted but beautiful; access by tender from a nearby anchorage is possible in calm weather.

Navigation Hazards

• Anchoring is prohibited — use mooring buoys only; fines for anchoring in a natural monument area
• Narrow entrance (approximately 20m wide) — not passable for most keel yachts; approach by tender or RIB only if yacht cannot pass
• Jugo (SE/S) sends swell through the narrow entrance gap — buoyed boats can become uncomfortable quickly; depart before conditions deteriorate
• Extreme day-tripper crowding July–August — water taxis, speedboats, and RIBs operate continuously through the entrance from 09:00–18:00
• Limited mooring buoys — no guarantee of a berth; arrive early or pre-book
• Open to S and SW through the entrance channel — do not stay overnight if any S deterioration is forecast

Rules & Regulations

• eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
• Anchoring fee: Anchoring prohibited — mooring buoys only. Buoy fee applies (approx. €15–30 per night depending on vessel size; confirm locally).
• Mooring buoys: Available — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Stiniva is a natural monument — all entry regulations strictly enforced.
• Maximum stay: 1 days
• Restrictions: Anchoring STRICTLY PROHIBITED inside the cove. Mooring buoys only. Day boats and tenders accessing by passage through the narrow entrance must give way to each other. No overnight camping ashore. 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15. Entry through the pinch point requires calm conditions and care — width approximately 20m at narrowest point.
• 150m beach exclusion (SSVO 2025): No anchoring within 150m of public beaches, June 15–Sep 15.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Vis Town (9nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Vis Town (9nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Vis Town (9nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. The best experience is early morning before the day-trip boats arrive (before 09:00) or in the late evening after they depart — the cove is magical in this calm
2. If your yacht is too large for the entrance, anchor outside and take the tender through — the inside view from water level is the whole point
3. A mask and snorkel reveals the underwater cliff formations extending below the surface — the geology continues as dramatically below the waterline as above
4. The cliffs glow orange and pink at sunset if you are positioned to look back through the entrance gap — plan your departure timing to catch this
5. Water taxis from Vis Town and Komiža run throughout summer season — consider leaving the yacht in Vis Town and taking the boat taxi for a stress-free visit