Jadranka Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Jadranka anchorage, Izola–Koper transit anchorage, Jadranka
Jadranka Bay — an infrequently visited anchorage between Izola and Koper in 4–9m over mud, with good holding and protection from the W and S. Exposed to N, NE, and E. Very quiet — rarely used by foreign yachts. The bay has limited facilities ashore but serves as a useful overnight waypoint on passage between Izola and Koper. The coast here is lower and less dramatic than the Piran–Izola stretch, backed by salt pans and low agricultural land. The lack of tourist infrastructure means the anchorage is peaceful but completely self-sufficient required.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
45°32.9'N 13°41.1'E
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
W, SW, S
Exposed To
N, NE, E
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Anchoring Fee
Free anchoring — open bay
Currency
Euro (EUR) — EU/Schengen
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m radius in 6–8m mud. Mud holding is reliable. N/NE/E exposure — set alarm carefully. 1m+ tidal range requires extra scope and larger alarm radius than Mediterranean equivalent.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Jadranka Bay — between Izola and Koper in 4–9m over mud with good holding and protection from W and S. Exposed to N, NE, and E — Bora exposure from the Karst plateau above Koper is a primary risk. Very quiet — rarely used by foreign yachts. The coast is lower here, backed by salt pans and low agricultural land. No facilities ashore — completely self-sufficient required. Mud holding is reliable once set; use engine reverse thrust test. Anchor in minimum 7m at high tide to account for 1m+ tidal range. Marina Izola (3nm SW) is the nearest Bora refuge.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Jadranka Bay is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Contact Marina Izola on VHF Ch 16 before arrival — 24-hour landing assistance is guaranteed. Max draft 4.5m. Confirm berth availability and depth for your keel.
- Anchor in 4–9m, adding 1–1.5m to the charted depth to account for the 1m+ Northern Adriatic tidal range.
- Deploy at least 5:1 scope (45m chain at 9m depth) — tidal movement increases rode workload compared to Mediterranean anchorages.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Jadranka Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to N and NE and E winds. The Northern Adriatic tidal range of 1m+ means your boat will swing through a wider arc than in most Mediterranean anchorages as the rode angle changes through the tidal cycle.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below. 75m radius in 6–8m mud. Mud holding is reliable. N/NE/E exposure — set alarm carefully. 1m+ tidal range requires extra scope and larger alarm radius than Mediterranean equivalent.
Best May–September. A transit anchorage rather than a destination — most useful as an overnight waypoint on the Izola–Koper passage. Not suitable from October onwards due to increasing Bora frequency from the Karst plateau above Koper. May and September offer the most settled conditions for this exposed-to-NE position.
Navigation Hazards
- N/NE/E exposure — Bora arrives here quickly from the Karst plateau above Koper; Marina Izola (3nm SW) is the nearest refuge; watch for cap clouds forming over the plateau
- No facilities — completely self-sufficient required; no resupply, no assistance, no dockside infrastructure of any kind
- Mud bottom — anchor may drag if not properly set; reverse thrust test essential; once set, mud holding is reliable
- Tidal range 1m+ — anchor in minimum 7m at high tide; this anchorage is deeper but the tidal factor remains important for keel clearance
Rules & Regulations
- EU/Schengen — no customs formalities for EU boats arriving from EU ports. Non-EU citizens: register with police within 3 days. Non-EU flagged boats: 18-month temporary importation relief (TIR).
- Anchoring fee: Free anchoring — open bay
- Restrictions: N/NE/E exposure — not suitable in Bora or NE conditions. Anchor in minimum 7m at high tide to account for 1m+ tidal range. No facilities — self-sufficient essential. Reverse thrust test to confirm mud set before leaving unattended.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Izola old town (3nm)
- Restaurant: None — nearest at Izola old town (3nm)
- Provisions: None on site — Izola old town (3nm)
Skipper's Tips
- One of the least-visited anchorages on the Slovenian coast — good for peace and quiet; no other yachts likely in any season
- Mud holding is reliable — set well and you will hold in anything from S sector; use 5:1 scope minimum
- Self-sufficient essential — no facilities at all on this section of coast; arrive with full water, fuel, and provisions
- Good overnight waypoint on passage Izola–Koper (7nm total); Koper old town (Venetian loggia, historic square) repays the passage
- Arrive with full water and provisions — no resupply possible here; Marina Izola (3nm SW) is the last resupply point southbound
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 Jadranka Bay
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential in the Northern Adriatic where 1m+ tidal range creates wider swing arcs than Mediterranean sailors expect.
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