Velika Plaža (Long Beach) Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Velika Plaža (Long Beach) has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Velika Plaža (Long Beach) is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

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 3–7m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m 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.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Velika Plaža (Long Beach) are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE and SW and E and NE and N winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m for the NW end zone in 3–6m. Velika Plaža is explicitly a day anchorage — the fully exposed position with multi-directional vulnerability makes it unsuitable for overnight use except in the most settled high-pressure conditions. The daily afternoon Lebić (SW thermal) is a reliable phenomenon from May onwards; arrive before 11:00 and depart before 13:00 in peak season to enjoy the beach in calm conditions. The sandy bottom holds well in settled weather but offers no resistance to unexpected wind shifts. Never overnight here without checking all forecast models for overnight stability. The beach itself is magnificent — 13km of virtually undeveloped sand that still feels wild compared to the intensively developed Croatian coast.

May–September. The beach is at its finest in May and early June when the crowds are minimal and the sand is pristine. July–August: beach popular with local visitors (Montenegrins and Albanians) but never overwhelmingly crowded compared to Croatian equivalents. Kiteboarders arrive from May onwards. Not suitable for overnight use any time of year due to exposure.

Navigation Hazards

• Fully multi-directional exposure: Velika Plaža has virtually no topographic protection from any wind direction; day anchorage only; even in summer a passing thunderstorm or unexpected wind shift can create dangerous conditions rapidly in an exposed beach anchorage
• Daily afternoon Lebić (SW thermal): the SW thermal fills in reliably from 12:00–13:00 from May onwards, raising short-period chop from the SW; depart before the Lebić builds if you want a comfortable dinghy ride back to the boat from the beach
• Kiteboard and windsurf zones: the designated zones are active with high-speed kiteboarders in the Lebić — boards and kites can reach 30 knots; anchor well clear of launch and landing areas and never anchor within a kite zone
• SE fetch toward Albania: E and SE swells have significant fetch from the Albanian coast and the southern Adriatic; any swell from E or SE arrives without warning at this beach
• Sandy bottom in swell: the pristine clean sand holds well in calm conditions but provides no resistance to anchor drag in swell conditions; never overnight here without confirmed stable overnight forecast

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: 1 days
• Restrictions: Keep clear of the designated kiteboard and windsurf launch zones (typically central and SE section of the beach — marked by coloured buoys in season). Beach exclusion zones (50m from the beach line) apply during peak season (July–August). Day anchorage only — overnight not recommended due to multi-directional exposure.
• 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 (3nm NW) (3nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Ulcinj (3nm NW) (3nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Ulcinj (3nm NW) (3nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Arrive at Velika Plaža before 10:00 in the morning to get the flat calm conditions — swim in crystal clear water off a pristine sandy beach with the Albanian mountains visible in the distance; this is one of the most beautiful beach experiences on the eastern Adriatic coast
2. Depart by 13:00 before the Lebić fills in from the SW — the afternoon chop in an open beach anchorage on a sand bottom is uncomfortable and the dinghy ride from beach to boat becomes challenging when the whitecaps start
3. The NW end is calmer in the afternoon Lebić — if you must stay into the afternoon, position toward the NW end where the Ulcinj cape provides minimal but real attenuation
4. Keep well clear of the kiteboard zones (identifiable by the clusters of brightly coloured kites and the designated buoy lines) — the kiteboarders are skilled but at 30 knots they cannot easily avoid a stationary boat
5. On the passage from Ulcinj south toward Ada Bojana, use Velika Plaža as a morning swim stop rather than an overnight — anchoring the coastal passage into a morning beach stop, a short passage, and then a mid-afternoon arrival at Ada Bojana is the ideal daily structure