Kali Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Kali Fishing Village, Uvala Kali, Kali Harbour
Kali is one of the most authentic fishing villages in the Zadar Archipelago, long known as the centre of Croatian tunny fishing. The village retains a working maritime character that is increasingly rare in the more touristified parts of the Adriatic — the quays are busy with real fishing boats, nets are spread to dry in the sun, and the local konoba serves the day's catch at tables overlooking the harbour. The anchorage off the village in 4–10m on sand and mud is straightforward, with the N side of Ugljan providing good shelter from the dominant NE Bura. This is the quintessential 'local' anchorage — modest facilities, genuine atmosphere, and excellent food ashore. A world away from the charter flotilla scene of the outer islands.
Quick Reference
GPS
44°07.2'N 15°11.7'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E
Exposed To
S, SW, W
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. No park fees. Standard maritime rules.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m for the inner anchorage in 4–8m on sand/mud. The village bay provides reasonable enclosure to N and NE. If strong S or SW is forecast, this anchorage is not suitable for overnight — seek shelter at Tkon or Over Bay instead.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Kali has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Off the village — anchor off town
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E
- Exposed to: S, SW, W
- Alarm radius: 70m
The anchorage lies off the fishing village on the N side of Ugljan. Drop in 4–8m on sand and mud; holding is good once anchor is set. The village waterfront is picturesque — colourful fishing boats, nets drying on the quay, and the smell of fresh fish from the local konoba. Keep clear of the small craft mooring zone directly in front of the fishing pier.
Zone 2: Outer bay — additional room
- Depth: 8–16m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW
- Exposed to: S, SW, W
- Alarm radius: 110m
Deeper water off the outer approaches in 8–14m on mud. Good holding. More room but more exposed to S and SW. Suitable for boats that need more swinging room or arrive when the inner anchorage is full.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Kali: primarily sand and mud. 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 inner anchorage in 4–8m on sand/mud. The village bay provides reasonable enclosure to N and NE. If strong S or SW is forecast, this anchorage is not suitable for overnight — seek shelter at Tkon or Over Bay instead.
May–October comfortable. Very quiet outside July–August. The village retains its character year-round. Avoid in strong S or SW conditions.
Navigation Hazards
- Open to S and SW: Jugo (SE) makes the anchorage uncomfortable and potentially untenable; depart for Tkon or Over Bay if Jugo forecast
- Fishing boat activity: early morning departures (04:00–06:00) with engines and bright lights are normal — expect noise
- Ferry wash from Zadar–Ugljan channel ferries may reach the anchorage
- Bura from NE is moderated by Ugljan island mass but gaps in the island topography can funnel gusts
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. No park fees. Standard maritime rules.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Keep clear of the fishing boat mooring zone. No anchoring in the approach channel to the pier. Standard Posidonia and beach exclusion rules apply.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Kali village (0nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Excellent local konoba serving fresh fish and seafood — the tunny (bluefin tuna) when in season is outstanding. Typically 1–2 restaurants open May–September.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- Dine ashore at the local konoba — this is one of the best-value, most authentic fish restaurants in the Zadar area
- Buy fresh fish directly from the returning fishing boats at the pier in the morning — it does not get fresher than this
- The village square has a small grocery and bakery — ideal for provisioning before heading to the outer islands
- The island interior walking trail to the highest point of Ugljan gives superb views of the entire archipelago on a clear day
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 Kali
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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