Anchorages in Venice & Northern Adriatic
The Venice Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demands careful navigation through marked channels in as little as 0.5m outside fairways. The Bora — a katabatic NE wind reaching 60–130 km/h — makes Trieste the most wind-exposed city in Italy. Our guides cover lagoon pilotage, MOSE barriers, acqua alta, Bora warnings, and exact alarm radii.
Bora Warning — 60–130 km/h Possible
The Bora (Bura) is a NE katabatic wind descending from the Dinaric Alps that can reach 60–130 km/h (33–70 kts) in the Gulf of Trieste with very little warning — sometimes developing from a clear blue sky within 30 minutes. It produces a steep, dangerous sea state in the Northern Adriatic. Any anchorage exposed to the NE must be vacated before a Bora forecast. Monitor local Trieste weather services (Osservatorio Meteo Trieste) and ARSO (Slovenian met service) for the most accurate Bora onset predictions.
Venice Lagoon — Speed Limits & Moto Ondoso
Speed limits of 5–7 km/h apply in Venice Lagoon channels. Creating wash (moto ondoso) near historic banks, buildings, or moored boats carries fines of €1,000 or more. Navigate only in marked channels (bricole — wooden piles marking fairways) — mud banks outside channels can be as shallow as 0.3–0.5m. When MOSE flood barriers are raised at the three inlets (Chioggia, Malamocco, Lido), vessel access may be restricted. Monitor acqua alta forecasts at comune.venezia.it.
Verified Anchorages — Venice & Northern Adriatic
10 anchorages
Chioggia — Rada di Chioggia
Chioggia Outer Roads · Porto di Chioggia · Sottomarina anchorage
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Sant'Erasmo — Canaletto di Sant'Erasmo
Isola di Sant'Erasmo · Venice vegetable island · Canal Sant'Erasmo
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Pellestrina — Isola di Pellestrina Anchorage
Bacino di Pellestrina · Pellestrina barrier island
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Punta Sabbioni — Porto di Lido Anchorage
Cavallino-Treporti anchorage · NE Venice Lagoon entrance
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Porto Falconera — Caorle Approaches
Caorle outer anchorage · Valle Altanea roadstead · Porto di Caorle anchorage
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Marano Lagunare — Laguna di Marano
Marano Lagunare anchorage · Laguna di Grado-Marano · Porto di Marano
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Grado Lagoon — Laguna di Grado
Porto di Grado · Grado anchorage · Isola di Grado
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Grignano — Gulf of Trieste Anchorage
Baia di Grignano · Miramare anchorage · Golfo di Trieste
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Muggia Bay — Baia di Muggia
Porto di Muggia · Muggia anchorage · Baia di Muggia
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Cortellazzo — Foce del Tagliamento Anchorage
Foce del Tagliamento · Bibione Pineda approaches · Cortellazzo coastal anchorage
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Sailing the Northern Adriatic? Set Your Anchor Alarm.
When the Bora develops from a calm evening into 60 km/h winds overnight, you need instant warning the moment your anchor drags. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you before the situation becomes dangerous.
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