Buljarica Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Buljarica, Buljarica Beach, Buljarica
Buljarica is the Budva Riviera's best-kept secret — a large, gently curving bay 4km S of Petrovac with one of the longest unspoiled sand beaches in Montenegro (approximately 1.6km). Unlike virtually every other beach on the Riviera, Buljarica has not been subjected to intensive resort development: the bay is backed by agricultural land and a nature reserve, and the tourist infrastructure is minimal compared to Budva, Sveti Stefan, or Petrovac. For sailors this translates to a quiet, natural anchorage on a sandy bottom with excellent holding and the pleasant absence of RIB traffic, water taxis, and beach bars blasting music. In May and June the bay is almost completely empty — just the sand, the hills above, and the clear Adriatic water. In July–August the beach becomes busy with local day visitors (Montenegrins who know and value Buljarica's natural character) but the anchoring area is always accessible beyond 150m offshore. The N headland provides meaningful Bora shelter. The SE Jugo exposure is the principal limitation, as on all exposed coast anchorages. Montenegro cruising permit, tourist tax, and Euro (€) apply.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
42°11.3'N 18°58.1'E
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NW, NE
Exposed To
S, SE, SW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor.
Vignette Required
Yes — purchase at port of entry
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m in the main bay for 4–8m depth on sand with 5:1 scope. Buljarica's saving grace as an anchorage is the quality of the sandy bottom — the anchor sets consistently and holds well in settled conditions. The N headland provides meaningful Bora shelter (rated better than the open coast but not comparable to the Bay of Kotor). The SE Jugo exposure is total — this bay has the same Adriatic-fetch vulnerability as the entire Budva Riviera coast. The rule applies: check the SE/S swell forecast before sleeping. Buljarica is at its best in May, early June, and September when the beach is quiet, the weather is stable, and the bay is largely empty of boats.
Main bay — primary anchor ground: 85m recommended — The primary anchorage in the large Buljarica bay in 4–8m on clean sand.
N corner — behind N headland, Bora shelter: 90m recommended — Tucking into the N corner of the bay behind the northern headland gives the best available Bora shelter in Buljarica — the headland deflects much of the katabatic NE flow and provides a calmer Bora position than the centre of the bay.
S sector — off the undevloped beach: 70m recommended — The S section of the bay off the less developed southern beach section in 3–6m on sand.
Anchoring Zones
Buljarica Bay has 3 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.
Zone 1: Main bay — primary anchor ground
- Depth: 4–9m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NW, NE
- Exposed to: S, SE, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 85m
The primary anchorage in the large Buljarica bay in 4–8m on clean sand. The bay is extensive and there is ample swing room for multiple yachts — anchor well to the N of the bay to maximise the Bora shelter from the northern headland and stay well clear of the crowded beach zone in summer. Sand holding is good throughout — the consistent sandy bottom is one of the most reliable on this coast. The absence of major development gives this anchorage a natural feel unusual on the Budva Riviera. In July–August the beach is packed with locals but boats anchoring 200m+ offshore are beyond the crowd zone.
Zone 2: N corner — behind N headland, Bora shelter
- Depth: 5–11m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NW, NE, E
- Exposed to: S, SE, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 90m
Tucking into the N corner of the bay behind the northern headland gives the best available Bora shelter in Buljarica — the headland deflects much of the katabatic NE flow and provides a calmer Bora position than the centre of the bay. Sand and mud bottom, good holding in 5–10m. More depth than the central bay — suitable for larger yachts. Still open to the S for Jugo — Bora shelter and Jugo shelter cannot be obtained simultaneously on this coast; choose Bora shelter here and monitor SE forecasts carefully.
Zone 3: S sector — off the undevloped beach
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NW
- Exposed to: S, SE, SW, E
- Recommended alarm radius: 70m
The S section of the bay off the less developed southern beach section in 3–6m on sand. Good holding. More exposed to Jugo and E swell than the northern sector. Best used for calm-day swimming stops; in July–August this section of the beach has fewer sun loungers and beach infrastructure, giving a more natural atmosphere. Day use or overnight in completely settled conditions only.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Buljarica Bay is primarily 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.
- Check the evening Jugo forecast before going below. The Budva Riviera is fully exposed to SE swell — if Jugo above F3 is forecast by morning, consider moving to Budva Marina or Porto Montenegro for the night. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Buljarica 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 85m radius before going below. 85m in the main bay for 4–8m depth on sand with 5:1 scope. Buljarica's saving grace as an anchorage is the quality of the sandy bottom — the anchor sets consistently and holds well in settled conditions. The N headland provides meaningful Bora shelter (rated better than the open coast but not comparable to the Bay of Kotor). The SE Jugo exposure is total — this bay has the same Adriatic-fetch vulnerability as the entire Budva Riviera coast. The rule applies: check the SE/S swell forecast before sleeping. Buljarica is at its best in May, early June, and September when the beach is quiet, the weather is stable, and the bay is largely empty of boats.
Excellent May–October for settled-weather visits. Best in May, June, and September when the beach is quiet and the conditions are most stable. July–August: beach busy with locals but anchoring area clear; standard Jugo monitoring applies. October: increasingly Jugo-prone; last reliable month for overnight use. Not recommended November–April.
Navigation Hazards
- SE and S Jugo swell: the same full Adriatic fetch exposure as all coast anchorages — 600nm to the Strait of Otranto; Buljarica's large bay actually concentrates swell energy in F4+ conditions; depart immediately if SE swell builds
- No services or refuges: Buljarica has no harbour, no marina, and no facilities — in deteriorating conditions the nearest refuge is Petrovac (2nm N); do not anchor here if there is any doubt about the overnight forecast
- Remote feel: in May and October the bay can be completely deserted — which is wonderful in settled weather and deeply uncomfortable if conditions deteriorate; have a clear Plan B before anchoring
- Beach swimming zone: in July–August the beach is popular with local families; respect swimming areas and do not run engines near the beach
- Bora: the N headland shelter helps but in Bora above 40 knots the bay becomes dangerous; in moderate Bora (20–35 knots) it is manageable with full scope
Rules & Regulations
- Montenegro cruising permit (vignette): Mandatory for all foreign yachts. From ~€89/month. Purchase at first port of entry.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor.
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Keep clear of designated swimming zones (seasonal buoys, if present, in summer). Nature reserve area behind the beach — no camping or fires on the beach. Anchor beyond 100m from the beach line. No permanent harbour facilities — this is an open anchorage only.
- 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: Petrovac (2nm N) (2nm)
- Restaurant: None — nearest at Petrovac (2nm N) (2nm)
- Provisions: None on site — Petrovac (2nm N) (2nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Buljarica in early June is one of the finest anchorage experiences on the entire Montenegrin coast — completely empty, beautiful sandy beach, crystal-clear water, and the hills above still green from spring rain; this is what the Budva Riviera looked like before the tourist boom
- The nature reserve behind the beach includes a small stream outlet at the S end — fresh water source for shore parties (not drinking quality, but useful for washing down); the wetland area behind the beach has good birdwatching
- Anchor in the N corner in Bora conditions — 30–40 minute dinghy ride to Petrovac for provisioning and dinner if spending multiple days; the logistics work well in settled summer spells
- In July–August, anchor early (by 10:00) to get the best N corner position before the day-tripper RIBs from Petrovac arrive; by 14:00 the beach is at peak local beach activity but the anchoring area is never truly crowded
- The beach at Buljarica is car-accessible from the N end — a small car park exists; Montenegrin day visitors arrive in vehicles, not by boat; you will often be the only sailing yacht in the bay
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 and current official charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Buljarica Bay
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential on the Budva Riviera where Jugo swell can build overnight without warning.
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