Perast Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Perasto, Perast Bay, Our Lady of the Rocks anchorage
Perast is the most photographed anchorage in the Bay of Kotor and arguably one of the most atmospheric in the entire Adriatic. The baroque town dates from the 17th–18th century when it was the richest settlement on the bay — a maritime power that trained navigators for foreign fleets and accumulated extraordinary wealth in the shadow of the Venetian Republic. It features 16 churches, 17 former palaces, and the two tiny islands just offshore: Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) — an entirely man-made island built over centuries by Perast sailors dropping stones to commemorate a vow — and St. George (Sv. Đorđe), a natural islet crowned by a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. The anchorage off the town in 5–9m of mud is perfectly adequate for overnight stays, but the water taxi and tourist ferry traffic in high season creates incessant wash that keeps most boats in a gentle roll all day. The Bora channels along the Kotor Bay arm with moderate severity — typically less violent than the outer bay but not trivial. In the evening when the tourist boats stop running, Perast becomes extraordinarily peaceful — the old palaces lit against the mountain walls are unforgettable.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
42°29.3'N 18°41.8'E
Depth
5–10m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor off Perast.
Vignette Required
Yes — purchase at port of entry
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m appropriate for the main Perast anchorage in 5–9m. The continuous wash from water taxis and tourist ferries in peak season makes this anchorage livelier than the depth alone would suggest — keep the alarm set all day. In Bora, the Kotor Bay channel funnels wind from the NE, gusts typically 20–40 knots (moderated by the channel geometry compared to the outer bay). Overnight is feasible but expect some motion from tourist boat wash well into the evening.
Off town quay — main anchorage: 75m recommended — The primary anchorage in 5–9m on mud and sand directly off the Perast town quay and promenade.
N of town — quieter swing: 90m recommended — Slightly N of the main town anchorage in 6–11m on mud — the holding here is excellent and the swing room is marginally better.
Between the islands — S of St. George: 60m recommended — A few yachts anchor S of St.
Anchoring Zones
Perast 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: Off town quay — main anchorage
- Depth: 5–10m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
The primary anchorage in 5–9m on mud and sand directly off the Perast town quay and promenade. Holding is good on mud. The view from the anchorage — the baroque town rising from the waterline against the sheer mountain backdrop, with the two islands (Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George) in the foreground — is one of the most celebrated vistas in the Adriatic. In summer, water taxi and tourist boat traffic creates constant wash throughout the day. Set anchor well and keep alarm active. Bora funnels moderately from the N/NE through the Kotor Bay channel — good shelter from N compared to the outer bay, but gusts still reach 30–40 knots in severe Bora. In Maestral, the W exposure creates an afternoon chop.
Zone 2: N of town — quieter swing
- Depth: 6–12m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 90m
Slightly N of the main town anchorage in 6–11m on mud — the holding here is excellent and the swing room is marginally better. Fewer tourist boats come this far N, reducing wash. Still has the stunning view of the two islands and the mountain walls of the bay. A preferred position for boats wanting good holding without the centre-of-town traffic.
Zone 3: Between the islands — S of St. George
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Fair holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 60m
A few yachts anchor S of St. George island (the natural island, forested with cypress trees and monastery) in 3–6m on sand. Holding is fair. The position places you between the two extraordinary islands — Our Lady of the Rocks to the W (man-made over centuries) and St. George to the E. Keep clear of the tourist boat landing areas at both islands. This is a daytime stop position only — not suitable for overnight due to limited swing room and tourist traffic.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Perast is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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 Perast are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below. 75m appropriate for the main Perast anchorage in 5–9m. The continuous wash from water taxis and tourist ferries in peak season makes this anchorage livelier than the depth alone would suggest — keep the alarm set all day. In Bora, the Kotor Bay channel funnels wind from the NE, gusts typically 20–40 knots (moderated by the channel geometry compared to the outer bay). Overnight is feasible but expect some motion from tourist boat wash well into the evening.
Best in May and September–October when tourist numbers are lower and the anchorage is calmer. June is a good compromise — warm, uncrowded compared to peak, and the Bora risk is lower. July–August is the most atmospheric but also the most rolly and crowded — book the experience, sleep elsewhere if you can. The bay is calm enough for June–September overnights with a good anchor set.
Navigation Hazards
- Continuous tourist boat and water taxi wash in peak season (June–September): creates a persistent roll throughout the day even in light winds — anchor alarm is essential all day and night
- Bora channels through Kotor Bay arm: typically 20–40 knots in severe events (moderated compared to outer bay); still strong enough to drag anchors on inadequate scope — use 5:1 minimum
- W and SW exposure to afternoon Maestral: creates additional chop on top of tourist boat wash — most uncomfortable period is 12:00–16:00
- Tourist boat landing areas at both islands: do not anchor too close to the ferry pontoons — water taxis approach at speed and landing docks are in constant use in season
- Crowded anchorage in July–August: swing room can be tight; anchor carefully and confirm all neighbours have adequate scope before going ashore
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 off Perast.
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Do not anchor within 20m of the tourist ferry landing stages at Our Lady of the Rocks or St. George islands. Water taxi fairway runs between the islands and the town quay — keep clear. UNESCO World Heritage area: no anchoring damage to underwater heritage. Keep noise to a minimum after 22:00.
- 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 (5nm SE) (5nm)
- Restaurant: Several excellent restaurants and konobas along the Perast waterfront — the town is small but the dining is outstanding. Fresh fish, local mussels, Montenegrin lamb. Dinghy to the town quay steps and walk 2 minutes to the main street.
- Provisions: None on site — Kotor old town (5nm SE) (5nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Visit Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) island by dinghy — the interior of the church is an extraordinary accumulation of 2,500 silver votive offerings from sailors over four centuries; a genuinely moving and unique place
- Time your dinghy landing for the cooler morning hours when tourist numbers are low — by 10:00 the cruise ship tender boats begin arriving from Kotor and the waterfront becomes very busy
- Evening at Perast after the tourist boats stop (around 19:00–20:00) is the most peaceful and beautiful time — the anchorage calms, the light on the old palaces turns golden, and the restaurants fill with locals
- In moderate Bora (25–35 knots), Perast is sheltered enough to be manageable if the anchor is well set — the bay channel geometry reduces the katabatic severity here; but in a full Bora, move to Morinj (5nm W) which is significantly calmer
- The church of St. Nicholas in the town has a nautical museum with beautiful old charts and navigational instruments — worth the €2 entry on a quiet afternoon
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 Perast
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.
Download Free for iOS