Tiha Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Tiha, Tiha, Quiet Bay
Tiha Bay earns its name — 'quiet' — in the most common Adriatic wind pattern, the NE Bura and its milder cousins. Situated just NW of Komiža on the W coast, the bay is well protected from the NE by the surrounding headlands, making it a reliable overnight anchorage when the Bura blows. The sandy bottom gives excellent holding and the proximity to Komiža (3nm) means provisioning and facilities are accessible by a short dinghy or boat trip. The bay is less visited than Rukavac or Milna and retains a quieter character throughout summer. The afternoon Mistral from the NW creates a pleasant breeze but is not uncomfortable. Komiža's Blue Cave day trips depart from the town — Tiha Bay is a good overnight base for the Biševo visit.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°03.7'N 16°03.9'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, NW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit Required
Yes
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m for the bay head on sand in 3–6m with 5:1 scope. The NE shelter makes this a reliable overnight anchorage in the common NE Bura pattern. Reduce to 45m in calm conditions. The Mistral (NW) creates a moderate chop at the entrance but the bay head remains protected. Increase to 115m for the outer bay at deeper draft.
Bay head — sheltered sand: 65m recommended — The well-sheltered bay head in 3–6m provides excellent holding on clean sand.
Mid-bay — good swinging room: 90m recommended — The mid-bay offers more swinging room in 5–8m on sand and occasional Posidonia patches.
Outer bay — Mistral exposure: 115m recommended — Deeper outer bay in 8–12m is more exposed to the W and NW.
Anchoring Zones
Tiha Bay 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 — sheltered sand
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
The well-sheltered bay head in 3–6m provides excellent holding on clean sand. The bay is oriented to face W and the surrounding headlands block the NE Bura effectively. The name 'Tiha' (quiet) is apt — this is a genuinely calm anchorage in the common NE wind pattern. Posidonia fringe along the bay margins; anchor on the central sandy area.
Zone 2: Mid-bay — good swinging room
- Depth: 5–10m
- Bottom: sand, posidonia
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, S
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 90m
The mid-bay offers more swinging room in 5–8m on sand and occasional Posidonia patches. Good holding on sandy areas. The W and NW exposure means the afternoon Mistral creates a gentle chop here — comfortable for most boats but use a snubber. Snorkel to identify sand patches before anchoring.
Zone 3: Outer bay — Mistral exposure
- Depth: 8–15m
- Bottom: sand, rock
- Holding: Fair holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E
- Exposed to: W, SW, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 115m
Deeper outer bay in 8–12m is more exposed to the W and NW. Holding is fair on sand over rock. The Mistral builds a noticeable chop here in the afternoon. Suitable as an overflow position; the bay head is strongly preferred for overnight.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Tiha Bay is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–7m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m depth).
- Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- 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, Bugel. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Tiha Bay are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to W and NW winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m for the bay head on sand in 3–6m with 5:1 scope. The NE shelter makes this a reliable overnight anchorage in the common NE Bura pattern. Reduce to 45m in calm conditions. The Mistral (NW) creates a moderate chop at the entrance but the bay head remains protected. Increase to 115m for the outer bay at deeper draft.
Excellent May–October in the common NE/Bura pattern. July–August sees the Mistral regularly in the afternoons but the bay head handles this well. September is outstanding. The W coast of Vis is generally accessible most of the season except in Jugo which affects primarily the S coast.
Navigation Hazards
- W and NW exposed — Mistral afternoon chop enters the bay from the NW; bay head is sheltered but outer berths can be uncomfortable above F4
- Posidonia fringe on bay margins — anchor on central sandy area only; snorkel to verify
- Jugo (SE) does not seriously threaten this bay (well sheltered from SE) but check overall forecasts
- No facilities — carry provisions from Komiža before arriving
Rules & Regulations
- eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Posidonia meadows on bay margins — anchor on sandy areas only. 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15 if a sandy beach is present.
- 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: Komiža (3nm)
- Restaurant: None — nearest at Komiža (3nm)
- Provisions: None on site — Komiža (3nm)
Skipper's Tips
- The ideal base for a Biševo Blue Cave day trip: overnight at Tiha Bay, motor to Komiža early morning to join the boat tour, return to Tiha Bay in the evening
- The bay is particularly beautiful in the early morning light — the W-facing orientation means golden dawn light reflects on the water from the E
- Komiža is a short run SE — take the dinghy or motor across for dinner at a traditional konoba rather than spending a long time in the main town harbour
- Snorkel the Posidonia meadow edges — the health and density of the meadows near Vis reflect the island's clean water history
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts, NAVTEX, and current HHI charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Tiha Bay
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential on Vis where Jugo can arrive overnight and turn a calm bay into a dangerous lee shore.
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