Petrovac Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Petrovac has 3 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Petrovac is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–12m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m depth).
2. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
3. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle.
4. 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, CQR.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Petrovac 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 covers the main anchorage in 5–10m with adequate scope. The Petrovac bay is a genuine Bora-shelter position — the surrounding hills reduce Bora to 20–35 knots (compared to 35–50 knots on the open coast); still uncomfortable but manageable with full scope and an active alarm. For Jugo: the S exposure is significant and the bay provides little attenuation of SE swell — in F4+ Jugo, the anchorage becomes dangerous. The two islets (Sveta Nedjelja and Katič) are the approach landmarks: enter the bay from the S, keeping the two islets visible on the port hand, and anchor in the N sector beyond the 100m beach exclusion zone.

One of the most usable anchorages on the Riviera: good from May through October. July–August beach exclusion is strictly enforced and the bay is moderately busy but manageable. September and October are excellent — warm water, good provisioning, and the bay quietening as the season ends. The hill shelter makes this a credible Bora position (though not comparable to Bigova in the Bay of Kotor). A solid Adriatic cruising anchorage with genuine practical value.

Navigation Hazards

• Beach exclusion zone: the 100m exclusion is strictly observed and seasonal patrol boats enforce it — confirm your position is beyond the exclusion before anchoring; the zone extends 100m from the beach line, not from the waterline
• SE Jugo swell: the bay faces S and receives full Jugo swell from the Strait of Otranto — in F4+ Jugo the anchorage becomes untenable; the nearby small marina has limited berths and often fills in Jugo conditions
• Islet approach navigation: the channel inside Sveta Nedjelja islet is narrow; approach from the S in the main bay channel and navigate with echosounder; do not attempt the inside channel at night or in reduced visibility
• Katič islet nature reserve landing prohibition: approach the islet for photography from the anchorage but do not land — the islet is a protected seabird nesting site and landing carries a significant fine
• Bora in moderate strength (20–35 knots in this bay compared to 35–50 on the open coast): the hill shelter reduces Bora intensity meaningfully but full scope and active alarm are still required; in severe Bora, move to the marina if a berth is available

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. No municipal fee for the open bay anchorage.
• Maximum stay: 7 days
• Restrictions: Beach exclusion zone: do NOT anchor within 100m of the main Petrovac beach — seasonal buoys mark the boundary. Do not land on Katič islet (nature reserve — landing prohibited). Sveta Nedjelja islet: public access to the islet and its chapel is permitted in daylight hours only by dinghy.
• 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 town (0.5nm)
• Restaurant: Good selection of konobas and restaurants on the Petrovac waterfront — all priced in Euro (€) at local rates, notably cheaper than Croatia. The Castello terrace (if operational) is excellent for sundowners. Provisioning: supermarket in Petrovac town (10-minute walk from beach); fuel station nearby with jerry can access.
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. The two islets are the best approach landmarks on the Montenegrin coast — use Sveta Nedjelja (the smaller islet with the chapel silhouette) and Katič (the larger, flatter islet) to orient your approach; enter the bay keeping both islets to port from the S
2. Visit Sveta Nedjelja islet by dinghy in the morning — the chapel (origins date to the Venetian period) is tiny and simple but the view from the islet back to the Castello and Petrovac is exceptional; bring the dinghy ashore on the N side of the islet
3. Petrovac town is the best provisioning stop between Budva and Bar — the supermarket stocks everything you need and Montenegro's Euro prices are very favourable compared to Croatia
4. The Castello on the Petrovac waterfront is illuminated at night — the dinghy ride to the waterfront for dinner and the return journey past the illuminated fortification is one of the nicest evening experiences on this coast
5. In late September and October, Petrovac continues to function when Budva and Sveti Stefan have largely closed down for winter — a practical and pleasant late-season base on the Montenegrin coast