Brbinj Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Brbinj, Brbinj Harbour, Brbinj Luka
Brbinj is the main port of Dugi Otok and the primary provisioning and service hub for the outer archipelago. The Zadar–Brbinj ferry runs daily, making this the natural gateway to Dugi Otok for sailors who need to stock up on groceries, fuel, or basic yacht supplies before heading to the remote anchorages of Sakarun, Telašćica, Molat, or Ist. The harbour is working rather than beautiful — functional quays, a fuel station, a small supermarket, and a handful of restaurants. Its value lies entirely in its practical role as the last reliable stop for provisions and fuel before the self-sufficient outer islands. Anchorage in the bay in 4–10m on mud and sand is straightforward; the ferry wash is the main nuisance.
Quick Reference
GPS
44°03.8'N 15°01.6'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, NW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor; harbour fees may apply if using the quay
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Harbour master may be present in peak season. Standard maritime rules.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m for the open harbour bay on mud/sand in 4–9m. Keep clear of the ferry lane. The Zadar–Dugi Otok ferry operates daily and creates significant wash — ensure anchor is set firmly before the ferry arrives. If lying stern-to, reduce alarm to 40m.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Brbinj has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Harbour bay — provisioning anchorage
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Alarm radius: 70m
The harbour bay in 4–9m on mud and sand. Good holding. The main ferry pier and quay are on the E side of the bay — anchor to the W of the ferry lane, maintaining clearance of at least 50m from the pier. The bay is protected from the common NE Bura by the island mass of Dugi Otok. Exposed to W and NW Mistral, which can make the anchorage choppy but is rarely dangerous.
Zone 2: Inner bay — alongside or stern-to quay
- Depth: 2–5m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, NW
- Exposed to: W
- Alarm radius: 45m
The inner bay offers the option of lying stern-to the quay or alongside in 2–4m on mud. Good holding. Better protection from NW than anchoring in the open bay. Check availability with the harbour master — local fishing boats have priority on the quay.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Brbinj: primarily mud and sand. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (70m at 10m). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify bottom — avoid Posidonia (€2,000 fine).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius. 70m for the open harbour bay on mud/sand in 4–9m. Keep clear of the ferry lane. The Zadar–Dugi Otok ferry operates daily and creates significant wash — ensure anchor is set firmly before the ferry arrives. If lying stern-to, reduce alarm to 40m.
Open and usable year-round as the main port. Peak season sees increased ferry traffic. The practical base for all Dugi Otok explorations.
Navigation Hazards
- Ferry wash: daily Zadar–Brbinj ferry creates significant wash; set anchor firmly and expect the boat to roll when the ferry arrives
- W and NW exposed: afternoon Mistral creates chop in the open bay; the inner bay against the quay is more comfortable
- This is the last fuel stop before the outer islands (Molat, Ist) — fill up here
- Bura is generally well-moderated but the outer harbour approaches are more exposed — do not anchor in the outer approaches
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Harbour master may be present in peak season. Standard maritime rules.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; harbour fees may apply if using the quay
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: Keep clear of the ferry pier and the main ferry approach lane. Do not block the fuel quay. Ferry priority at all times.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant/Konoba: 2–3 restaurants and cafes in Brbinj village. Small supermarket for provisions.
- Provisions: Available nearby
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Stock up on provisions and fill the fuel tank here before heading to Sakarun, Telašćica, Molat or Ist — this is the last reliable source
- The ferry timetable is posted at the pier — plan your provisioning run around it to avoid the rush when the ferry arrives
- The harbour master is friendly and informative about conditions on the outer islands — worth a conversation if heading to Molat or Ist
- Fresh bread is available at the village bakery — a daily supply is possible here that will not be available further out
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 Brbinj
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position and alerts you the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — essential in the Zadar Archipelago where Bura can arrive fast.
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