Stonca Bay Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Stonca Bay 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 Stonca Bay is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–6m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (42m chain at 6m 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: Rocna, Mantus, Spade. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Stonca Bay are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 55m radius before going below. 55m for the small sandy bay head patch in 3–5m. The very limited anchoring area means only 2–3 boats can anchor simultaneously. Open to S and SE — Jugo makes this bay untenable; depart before swell builds. The Posidonia meadows surrounding the sand patch must not be anchored on.

Day stops and occasional overnight in June and September in settled spells. Not recommended July–August due to limited space and Jugo risk. The Posidonia coverage makes this bay particularly unsuitable in any southerly conditions.

Navigation Hazards

• Posidonia meadows cover most of the bay — the anchoring area is tiny; do not anchor on Posidonia under any circumstances
• Open to S and SE — Jugo makes this bay rapidly untenable; depart immediately if S swell begins to build
• Very limited capacity: only 2–3 boats maximum; if occupied, seek Rukavac or Vis Town
• No facilities and no escape route to the E in deteriorating SE conditions — approach with a clear 24-hour stable forecast
• Rocky approach on both flanks — approach the bay centrally; depths shoal from the outer bay inwards

Rules & Regulations

• eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
• Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
• Maximum stay: 3 days
• Restrictions: Posidonia meadows cover most of the bay — anchoring strictly prohibited except on the small central sandy patch. S coast bay: monitor Jugo forecasts carefully.
• 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 (8nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Vis Town (8nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Vis Town (8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. This bay rewards the patient sailor who arrives early and finds the sandy patch free — perfect solitude in peak season
2. The Posidonia meadows visible through the clear water are a snorkelling highlight — take a mask and observe the meadow ecosystem; just don't anchor on it
3. Combine Stonca with Rukavac as a plan A/B: if Stonca's sandy patch is occupied, Rukavac is only 2nm W with more space
4. The bay is best for a short lunch stop or early overnight arrival — avoid arriving late in the day as poor sandy patch navigation in diminishing light is risky