Djenovići Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Djenovici, Genovići, Đenovići, Uvala Djenovići
Djenovići is a Venetian-era village on the S shore of the outer Boka Kotorska — quiet, architecturally interesting, and consistently overlooked by the charter fleet that presses on for Herceg Novi or Tivat. The bay in 3–8m on excellent mud provides reliable holding and the surrounding hills give meaningful shelter from the NE Bora, making it calmer than the open outer bay in moderate conditions. The stone village waterfront, a small pebble beach, and the absence of any significant tourist infrastructure create a peaceful Montenegrin atmosphere. Montenegro cruising permit mandatory. Always check current permit requirements.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
42°25.1'N 18°35.8'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Holding
Good 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 in 3–6m on mud. Reduce to 50m when other boats present. Good NE Bora shelter from surrounding hills — use as an intermediate Bora refuge if caught in the outer bay. In a major Bora event, move to Morinj (inside bay) for full protection.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Venetian-era village with a sheltered bay and excellent mud holding in 3–8m. The surrounding hills provide good NE Bora shelter — one of the calmer outer bay anchorages in moderate Bora conditions. The village waterfront preserves old stone architecture typical of the Venetian Adriatic coast. A small beach and modest facilities make this a pleasant overnight stop. Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings in the NW corner of the bay.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Djenovići is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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 Boka Kotorska, 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. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Djenovići 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 in 3–6m on mud. Reduce to 50m when other boats present. Good NE Bora shelter from surrounding hills — use as an intermediate Bora refuge if caught in the outer bay. In a major Bora event, move to Morinj (inside bay) for full protection.
Quiet May–October. Occasional visitors in July–August but rarely crowded. Excellent early/late season anchorage when the outer bay is almost deserted.
Navigation Hazards
- W and SW exposure: afternoon Maestral; not dangerous in summer but can create a lop
- Bora: hill shelter is good for moderate events; move deeper into the bay (Morinj, Orahovac) in a major Bora
- Shoal patches near the beach and in the NW corner — use echosounder
- Local fishing boat moorings in NW corner — keep clear
Rules & Regulations
- Montenegro cruising permit (vignette): Mandatory for all foreign yachts — purchase at first port of entry. From ~€89/month. Always check current permit requirements.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor.
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings in NW corner. Depths shoal within 40m of the beach.
- Risan Bay: Anchoring permanently prohibited in the entire Bay of Risan (underwater archaeological site). Morinj Bay is OK.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Herceg Novi (5nm)
- Restaurant: Small konoba in the village (seasonal — verify locally). Nearest full services: Herceg Novi (5nm W) or Tivat (~8nm SE).
- Provisions: None on site — Herceg Novi (5nm)
Skipper's Tips
- One of the most characterful villages in the outer bay — the Venetian-era architecture is well preserved; take the dinghy ashore and explore on foot
- The mud holding is excellent — the hook buries immediately; set with confidence
- For the best Bora shelter in the outer bay, Morinj (inside bay, 8nm SE) is significantly better; use Djenovići only in settled or moderate conditions
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 Djenovići
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential in the Boka Kotorska where Bora can arrive within 30 minutes of the first cap clouds forming on the peaks.
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