Vis Town Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Vis Town 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.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Vis Town is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–5m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (35m chain at 5m 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, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Vis Town are feasible but require monitoring — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 45m radius before going below. 45m for quay stern-to berths where movement is constrained. ACI Marina berths: 40m. Free swinging in the inner harbour: 80m on mud. The harbour is well protected from most weather but W and SW exposure means afternoon Mistral can create a swell at quay berths. Ferry wash from the Split service is the main disturbance — give ferries plenty of room.

Excellent May–October. June is ideal: full facilities, ferry service running, uncrowded marina. July–August is peak with full services but advance booking required for marina. September is outstanding — warm water, excellent conditions, manageable crowds. The harbour is usable year-round for experienced crews; winter visitors will find the town almost completely quiet but a few konobe remain open.

Navigation Hazards

• FERRY TRAFFIC: Jadrolinija car ferries from Split arrive and depart multiple times daily — large vessels manoeuvring in harbour; maintain wide clearance from ferry berths and approach channels at all times
• W and SW exposure — afternoon Mistral generates swell at the quay; use a snubber and be prepared for boat movement at stern-to berths
• ACI Marina fills completely July–August — reserve well in advance or arrive before 14:00
• Strong NE Bura (Oct–Mar) creates rough seas on the ferry crossing from Split; harbour itself is sheltered but approach from N can be rough in Bura
• Greek/Roman archaeological sites around the harbour — no anchoring in designated archaeological protection zones (marked on HHI charts)

Rules & Regulations

• eNautička (MMPI) permit: Required for all foreign yachts — carry aboard at all times.
• Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in inner harbour; ACI Marina and public quay berth fees apply (ACI approx. €60–120 per night for 10–12m boat)
• Maximum stay: 14 days
• Restrictions: CAUTION: Ferry traffic — Split ferries (Jadrolinija) operate multiple times daily; do not anchor in ferry channels or approach zones. Harbour speed limit 3 knots strictly enforced. Keep clear of the ferry berth area on the E quay.
• 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: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Multiple konobe and restaurants in Vis Town ranging from simple fish grills to more sophisticated modern cooking using local Vis ingredients. The town market opens mornings for fresh produce, fish, and local wine.
• Provisions: Available
• Wi-Fi: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Call ACI Marina on VHF Ch 17 when 30 minutes out to confirm berth availability and get docking instructions — saves circling the harbour
2. The Split ferry schedule is on the Jadrolinija website (jadrolinija.hr) — plan arrival and departure times to avoid being in the channel during ferry movements
3. The archaeological museum in Vis Town houses exceptional Greek and Roman artefacts from the ancient city of Issa — allow 2 hours for the collection
4. Walk up through the vineyards above the town to the Roman cemetery and amphitheatre — the views over the harbour are spectacular and the access is free
5. Vis Town's konobe are generally better than tourist-facing Split restaurants — ask locals or the marina staff for personal recommendations
6. Fresh water and fuel are available at the ACI Marina — top up here before heading to more remote Vis anchorages