Stoliv Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Outstanding anchorage off Stoliv, a stone village terraced up the hillside above the bay in the classic Kotor Bay style. Excellent thick mud holding in 4–10m. Protected from N and NE by the dramatic mountain walls that line the bay. W and SW are open across the narrow bay arm but fetch is limited. The village has barely changed in centuries — terraced olive groves, stone houses climbing the hillside, and a tiny church. One of the most beautiful and atmospheric overnight anchorages in the entire Bay of Kotor system.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Stoliv is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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 — on the Luštica coast, SW swell can arrive with little warning and superyacht wash from Porto Montenegro can reach anchorages unexpectedly. 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 Stoliv 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 4–8m on excellent mud. The inner bay mountain walls provide excellent Bora shelter — significantly calmer than the outer bay in Bora events. Reduce to 55m when other boats are nearby. The holding is so reliable that an extended stay here requires no concern about drag; always keep alarm active for cruise ship wash.

Excellent May–October. Best in May–June and September–October when the terraces are at their most lush and cruise ship traffic is lower. July–August cruise ships are at peak frequency but the anchorage is still outstanding.

Navigation Hazards

• W and SW exposure across the bay arm — Maestral enters; limited fetch makes this manageable
• Cruise ship wash from ships transiting to Kotor — keep anchor alarm active; the wash arrives suddenly and can be violent
• UNESCO zone — confirm current anchoring restrictions with Kotor harbourmaster
• No facilities: self-sufficient only; ensure adequate water, food, and fuel before anchoring here

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: 7 days
• Restrictions: UNESCO zone — confirm current restrictions with Kotor harbourmaster (VHF Ch 73). Keep clear of local fishing boat routes. No anchoring within 30m of the shore.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Kotor (5nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Kotor (5nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Kotor (5nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. One of the best anchorages in the entire Adriatic for atmosphere — stay for two or three nights if conditions allow
2. The hike up through the terraced olive groves to the village church (45 minutes) rewards with extraordinary views of the entire inner bay system
3. Dawn is magical here: the inner bay is mirror-calm, the mountain walls glow pink in the first light, and there is often a mist on the water
4. Always check cruise ship schedules before going below for the night — a large ship transiting at night creates violent wash with no warning
5. Contact Kotor harbourmaster on VHF Ch 73 for current UNESCO zone guidance