Cape Stoj (Rt Stoj) Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Cape Stoj (Rt Stoj) has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Cape Stoj (Rt Stoj) is primarily rock and sand with variable holding that requires extra attention.

1. Check the Albanian border position before anchoring in the S part of this coast — the boundary runs through the Bojana River delta. Confirm your GPS position is in Montenegrin waters.
2. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–14m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (98m chain at 14m depth).
3. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
4. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Check the evening Jugo forecast before going below. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Cape Stoj (Rt Stoj) are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to N and NE and NW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m in the N cove accounts for the mixed rock-sand bottom where the anchor may need extra scope to find a sand patch and set securely. Cape Stoj is a tactical anchorage — its value is primarily as the last Montenegrin stopping point before the Albanian border (2nm SE), or as a waypoint anchorage for boats arriving from Albania and planning to pass north to Ulcinj and Bar. The reversed shelter configuration (Jugo shelter from S/SE behind the cape) is useful in summer when Jugo events make the Ulcinj roadstead uncomfortable — Cape Stoj provides a viable alternative waiting position. The Albanian mountains visible 2nm to the SE, the lonely headland, and the knowledge that this is the final Montenegrin anchorage give the place a distinct end-of-the-world quality that experienced cruisers find compelling.

Usable April–October. Most useful as a transit anchorage for boats crossing to or from Albania. In May and June the anchorage is completely deserted and the remote southern-coast character is at its most atmospheric. July–August: occasional transiting boats but rarely more than 2–3 at one time. October: the last month of reliable use — Bora frequency increases from November and the remote position with limited shelter makes it unsuitable for late-season use.

Navigation Hazards

• Albanian border proximity: the Bojana River mouth 2nm SE is the international border; the Albanian coast guard monitors the border area; do NOT cross without Albanian customs clearance — approach to within 0.5nm of the Bojana River mouth only for navigation purposes and maintain Montenegrin waters
• Rock bottom in N cove: the primary cove has a rock-dominant bottom with sand patches — an anchor resting on rock can drag silently; confirm the anchor is on sand and set before leaving the cockpit; use the 90m alarm radius
• Reversed shelter: Cape Stoj provides Jugo shelter (S/SE) but not Bora shelter (N/NE) — a Bora event makes the N cove exposed; in Bora conditions move to the NW side or proceed to Ulcinj (2nm N)
• Remote location: no services within 2nm; arrive fully provisioned with water and fuel from Bar; in an equipment failure the nearest assistance is Ulcinj town (2nm N — limited marine services) or Bar (27nm N — full marina)
• No port of entry: Cape Stoj cannot be used for customs entry or exit; all formalities for international crossings must be handled at Bar; plan customs timing around Bar's harbour master operating hours

Rules & Regulations

• Montenegro cruising permit (vignette): Mandatory for all foreign yachts. From ~€89/month. Purchase at first port of entry — Bar is the primary port of entry for arrivals from the south.
• Anchoring fee: Free to anchor.
• Maximum stay: 2 days
• Restrictions: Do NOT cross the Albanian border (Bojana River, 2nm SE) without proper Albanian customs clearance from an official Albanian port of entry. Boats arriving from Albania must proceed to Bar for Montenegrin customs clearance — Cape Stoj is not a port of entry. The Albanian border is 2nm SE — maintain Montenegrin waters (N of the Bojana River mouth).
• Tourist tax: ~€1–2 per person per night, paid within 24 hours of arrival.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Ulcinj (2nm N) (2nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Ulcinj (2nm N) (2nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Ulcinj (2nm N) (2nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Cape Stoj in the early morning light, with the Albanian Alps rising from the sea to the SE and Ulcinj castle visible 2nm to the N, is one of the more dramatic views available from an anchorage on this coast — the perspective captures the full geographical character of the southernmost Montenegrin coast
2. Use Cape Stoj as a staging position before a dawn departure for Albania — anchor for the afternoon and evening, complete final preparations, and depart at first light to reach Sarandë or Himarë in Albanian daylight hours
3. Boats arriving from Albania in deteriorating conditions can use Cape Stoj as a first-night shelter while planning the passage to Bar for customs clearance — technically this requires clearing customs first, but in an emergency safety consideration it is the first available Montenegrin shelter
4. The NW side of the cape (sand and mud in 6–14m) is better for overnight due to the superior holding — anchor in 7–9m on mud, set with engine reverse, confirm set, and set the alarm before dark
5. From Cape Stoj the views of the Lake Skadar watershed and the Albanian mountains are the clearest and most dramatic of the entire Montenegrin coast — the mountains rise steeply from the sea without any gradual coastal plain, giving a dramatic Mediterranean-mountain juxtaposition