Volujica Bay Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Volujica Bay has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Volujica Bay is primarily sand and mud 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 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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 Volujica Bay are feasible in settled conditions but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below. 75m in the main cove is appropriate for 4–10m depth on sand/mud with 5:1 scope. Volujica's value is as a calm alternative to Bar Harbour — if you have already cleared customs at Bar and want an anchorage free of commercial port activity, Volujica is 1.5nm south in a quiet bay. The Jugo exposure from S and SE is the standard limitation of all anchorages on this coast. Check the overnight forecast before committing to Volujica — Bar Harbour (1.5nm N) with full marina facilities is the obvious overnight refuge if any southerly weather is possible.

Usable May–October in settled conditions. Not a destination in its own right but a useful transit anchorage for boats operating out of Bar. In May and October the cove is empty; in July–August a few local boats use it on weekends. The proximity to Bar makes this an easy escape from commercial harbour noise without committing to the longer passage to Valdanos.

Navigation Hazards

• SE and S Jugo exposure: the cove is open to the full Adriatic SE fetch — same vulnerability as all coast anchorages; F4+ Jugo makes the anchorage untenable; Bar Harbour (1.5nm N) is the correct refuge
• Local fishing boat traffic: Bar fishing boats transit the Volujica area in the early morning (before 07:00) and late evening; anchor clear of their mooring lines on the headland side
• Limited depth on approach: the headland rocks extend further underwater than the chart suggests on the E side — approach the cove from the NW and maintain 20m clearance from the headland base
• No services: Volujica is fully unsupported — arrive with sufficient water, fuel, and provisions from Bar; the walk to Bar from the cove is not practical without a dinghy or tender
• Bora: the headland provides partial NE shelter but in sustained Bora above 40 knots, gusts still reach the cove; Bar Marina (1.5nm N) is the correct Bora refuge on this coast

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: 3 days
• Restrictions: Ensure customs have been cleared at Bar before anchoring here — harbour master patrol from Bar occasionally checks anchorages S of the port. Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings near the headland base.
• 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: Bar Harbour (1.5nm N) (1.5nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Bar Harbour (1.5nm N) (1.5nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Bar Harbour (1.5nm N) (1.5nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Volujica is best used as a same-day anchorage after clearing customs at Bar in the morning — avoid the commercial port atmosphere while remaining within easy tender range of Bar town for provisioning
2. The N headland pocket gives the best Bora shelter in the cove — tuck in close (maintaining 5m depth) and lay extra scope if any NE weather is in the forecast
3. A quiet afternoon swim stop here before the longer passage to Valdanos or south to Ulcinj is the ideal use of Volujica — calm, clear water and a natural rocky cove far from the commercial port
4. From Volujica the passage to Valdanos Bay (Bora shelter, 3.5nm SW under the coast) takes about 40 minutes — in uncertain Bora weather, Volujica provides a useful intermediate holding point for reassessment
5. Montenegrin coast guard and harbour authority patrol boats from Bar occasionally pass Volujica — have vignette and ship's papers accessible for inspection