Zelenika Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Zelenika has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.

Setting Your Anchor

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

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 5–14m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (98m chain at 14m 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. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. 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, Delta, CQR. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Zelenika are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW and NW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m for the main yacht anchorage in settled conditions. In Bora, increase scope to 6:1 minimum and extend alarm radius to 130m — Zelenika is Bora-exposed. The mountain passes above funnel katabatic winds directly across this anchorage. Treat any cap clouds on Orjen as an immediate departure signal; Bora can reach 40–70 knots here in severe events.

Used year-round as a port of entry. Uncrowded in May–June and September–October. Peak season July–August sees more charter boats clearing in. Avoid lingering in autumn/winter when Bora is most frequent.

Navigation Hazards

• BORA: severe katabatic Bora funnels directly from mountain passes above — gusts 40–70 knots in major events; cap clouds on Orjen massif are the warning — move to Bigova or Morinj immediately
• Ferry traffic: Herceg Novi–Zelenika ferry runs all day creating significant wash; anchor well clear
• Commercial shipping on main quay — anchor only in designated yacht area
• Bora onset is extremely rapid — can reach 50+ knots within 5 minutes of onset; always keep anchor alarm active
• W and SW exposure: afternoon Maestral creates a lop from the W

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 after clearance. Vignette cost scales with vessel LOA (~€89/month for ~13.6m).
• Maximum stay: 3 days
• Restrictions: Anchor clear of ferry fairways and commercial quay approaches. Do not go ashore until clearance complete. Captain must remain aboard until customs clearance is done.
• 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: Available
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Zelenika village / Herceg Novi (0.5nm)
• Restaurant: Several cafes and konobas in Zelenika village, 10-minute walk. Nearest fuel: Tivat marina (~10nm) or Herceg Novi town (~3nm).
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Call Zelenika port authority on VHF Ch 10 before entering — they will direct you to the correct anchorage and confirm customs hours (closes at certain times)
2. Have all documents in a waterproof folder: passports, registration, insurance, departure clearance from Croatia — Montenegro customs are thorough
3. If Bora is possible in the next 24 hours, clear in and move immediately to Bigova (5nm S outside bay) or Morinj (12nm SE inside bay)
4. Montenegro provisions are significantly cheaper than Croatia — use the supermarket here
5. After clearing in at Zelenika, the vignette covers the entire coast — you need not re-clear at other ports; always confirm this with current officials