Orahovac Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Orašac, Uvala Orahovac, Orasac, Orahovac Bay
Orahovac is the quiet alternative to the celebrated but hectic Perast anchorage, situated on the W side of Kotor Bay approximately 1.5nm NW of Perast. The small village is outside the main tourist circuit — few charter boats make it here and the anchorage in excellent mud is typically uncrowded even in peak season. The Bora shelter from N/NE is good: the hills above the W shore of Kotor Bay provide a meaningful windbreak that makes this a better overnight choice than the open Perast roadstead in moderate Bora conditions. The village waterfront is unpretentious — a handful of stone houses, a small landing stage, olive trees on the slope above. What Orahovac lacks in baroque drama it compensates for in peace. The views across to the mountains are stunning in evening light, and the bay has the calm that Perast loses every time a water taxi races past. From here, both Perast (1.5nm N) and Kotor (6nm SE) are easy dinghy or day-sail destinations.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
42°28.6'N 18°41.0'E
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor.
Vignette Required
Yes — purchase at port of entry
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m covers comfortable swing in 4–8m of mud. The bay is compact and quieter than Perast — without the tourist boat traffic, the alarm radius is more reliable as an actual indicator of dragging. In the N quadrant (best Bora shelter), extend to 85m. The W exposure to Maestral is benign in summer — the afternoon breeze creates a mild chop that eases after sunset.
Bay head — mud and sand: 70m recommended — The bay head in 4–8m on mud and sand offers excellent holding and good shelter from N and NE — the Bora direction.
N quadrant — maximum Bora shelter: 85m recommended — The N section of the bay tucks further behind the promontory that separates it from the main Kotor Bay channel and provides the best Bora shelter in the anchorage.
Village waterfront — shallow stern-to: 45m recommended — A handful of boats can anchor bow-out with stern lines to the village waterfront in 2–3m.
Anchoring Zones
Orahovac has 3 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.
Zone 1: Bay head — mud and sand
- Depth: 4–9m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 70m
The bay head in 4–8m on mud and sand offers excellent holding and good shelter from N and NE — the Bora direction. The hills above the W side of Kotor Bay provide a windbreak that is effective in moderate Bora but less so in extreme events. Mud holding is deep and reliable. The small village of Orahovac is on the E shore with a simple waterfront. Depths shoal within 40m of the beach — anchor in confirmed 4m+ of water.
Zone 2: N quadrant — maximum Bora shelter
- Depth: 5–12m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, NW
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 85m
The N section of the bay tucks further behind the promontory that separates it from the main Kotor Bay channel and provides the best Bora shelter in the anchorage. Mud holding is excellent in 5–10m. This is the preferred position for overnight when Bora is a possibility — the promontory deflects NE katabatic flow away from the N anchorage pocket. Swing room is generous here — a good first choice before the bay fills.
Zone 3: Village waterfront — shallow stern-to
- Depth: 2–4m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 45m
A handful of boats can anchor bow-out with stern lines to the village waterfront in 2–3m. Sand-mud bottom, good holding. The village has a small landing and a few local boats moored permanently. Keep clear of the local fishing boat area. This position is close to the village taverna (if open) and gives an authentic Montenegrin village atmosphere.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Orahovac is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–9m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (63m chain at 9m depth).
- Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- Set the anchor alarm immediately after setting — in the Bay of Kotor, Bora can arrive with as little as 30 minutes' warning. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain length.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Orahovac are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m covers comfortable swing in 4–8m of mud. The bay is compact and quieter than Perast — without the tourist boat traffic, the alarm radius is more reliable as an actual indicator of dragging. In the N quadrant (best Bora shelter), extend to 85m. The W exposure to Maestral is benign in summer — the afternoon breeze creates a mild chop that eases after sunset.
Excellent May–October. The lack of tourist facilities keeps it quiet year-round compared to Perast. May and September are particularly outstanding — warm, clear, and almost completely deserted. A good base for exploring the inner bay by dinghy or kayak. Not recommended for winter overnights due to Bora exposure in the outer part of the bay.
Navigation Hazards
- Bora from NE: the W bay shore provides moderate shelter but in extreme Bora events gusts still reach 25–35 knots — anchor on full scope (6:1 in 8m = 48m minimum chain) and keep alarm set
- W and SW exposed: afternoon Maestral creates chop from the W; benign but the boat will face into the anchorage and roll gently in the afternoon; eases after sunset
- Local fishing boat moorings on village waterfront: their mooring lines extend further than expected — approach the stern-to positions carefully and confirm clear water before dropping hook near the village
- No services: carry sufficient water and provisions; nearest reprovisioning is Kotor (6nm) or Tivat (10nm)
- Depths shoal rapidly toward shore — particularly at the S end of the bay where a shallow shelf extends further than the chart shows; always verify on echosounder
Rules & Regulations
- Montenegro cruising permit (vignette): Mandatory for all foreign yachts — purchase at first port of entry. From ~€89/month.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor.
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings on the village waterfront. Depths shoal within 40m of the beach — anchor in confirmed 4m+ only. No loud music after 22:00 — this is a residential village.
- Risan Bay: Anchoring permanently prohibited in the entire Bay of Risan (underwater archaeological site).
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Kotor old town (6nm SE) (6nm)
- Restaurant: None — nearest at Kotor old town (6nm SE) (6nm)
- Provisions: None on site — Kotor old town (6nm SE) (6nm)
Skipper's Tips
- This is the best-kept secret of the Kotor Bay cruising circuit — arrive here in late afternoon after visiting Perast and enjoy a genuinely quiet overnight anchorage while the charter fleet piles into the crowded Perast roadstead
- The N quadrant of the bay (behind the promontory) provides noticeably better Bora shelter than the main bay head — always favour this position if Bora is in the forecast
- From Orahovac, a morning dinghy ride to Perast to see the two islands at sunrise (before the tourist boats arrive) is one of the finest experiences the inner bay offers
- Local olive oil from the village (ask at any house with olive trees visible on the hillside) is exceptional — the Bay of Kotor microclimate produces olives of remarkable quality
- Kotor is a comfortable 1.5–2 hour sail from here through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Adriatic — an easy morning passage before the Maestral fills in
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts, NAVTEX, and current official charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Orahovac
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential in the Bay of Kotor where Bora can arrive within 30 minutes of the first cap clouds forming on the peaks.
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