St Bernardin Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The open bay between Piran and Portorož in 4-8m over sand and mud with good holding. The Hotel Bernardin resort complex (private hotel marina on the NW side, for hotel guests) fronts the bay. The open bay is used as an overflow anchorage when the Piran municipal mooring field is full, or as a transit stop between Piran and Portorož. Moderate protection from N and NE from the Piran peninsula; open to W, SW, and S. The Portorož international airport is immediately inland — some aircraft noise. Tidal range (1m+): anchor at 6-7m at high tide to maintain depth at low water. Shallow water (2-3m) near the Hotel Bernardin hotel dock and the Bernardin small craft marina entrance — keep 100m clear of both. 80m alarm radius accounts for tidal variation and the W/SW open exposure on full scope.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at St Bernardin Bay is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Check VHF Ch 16 for mooring buoy availability before entering Piran harbour — the western breakwater mooring field fills early in July–August. If buoys are full, Marina Portorož (2nm SE) is the alternative.
2. Approach from the south at 1 knot maximum inside the harbour. Anchor in 4–8m, adding 1–1.5m to the charted depth to account for the 1m+ tidal range.
3. Deploy at least 5:1 scope (40m chain at 8m depth) — tidal movement means the rode will work harder than in the Mediterranean.
4. 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.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at St Bernardin Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW and S winds. The Northern Adriatic tidal range of 1m+ is the key consideration: 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 80m radius before going below. 80m alarm radius for the Bernardin Bay anchorage in 4-8m over sand and mud. The tidal range (1m+ at springs) requires anchoring in deeper water than the minimum required depth — anchor at 6-8m at high tide to maintain clearance. The W/SW/S exposure means the alarm radius must accommodate full scope deployment in westerly conditions; 80m covers a 5:1 scope at 6-8m depth plus tidal position variation. Note the shallow water near the Hotel Bernardin dock (2-3m) and the Bernardin marina entrance — the alarm radius should be set directionally if possible to exclude the shallow sector SE of the boat.

Usable May–October as a transit or overflow anchorage. The bay is most useful in the summer season when Piran moorings are at capacity and boats need a holding position nearby. October remains viable in settled weather. Not suitable for autumn or winter stays — the W and S exposure makes it uncomfortable in the increasing frequency of westerly and southerly gales from October onwards.

Navigation Hazards

• W/SW/S exposure: the bay is open to the full western and southern arc — comfortable only in settled or NE/NW conditions; in Jugo (SE gale) or SW swell this anchorage is unsuitable
• Shallow water near Bernardin dock: 2-3m near the hotel dock and Bernardin marina entrance — keep 100m+ clear; do not approach the dock or marina entrance without checking the echosounder
• Tidal range: 1m+ at springs — anchor at 6-8m at high tide; the tidal range is frequently underestimated by visitors from the central or southern Adriatic
• Aircraft noise: Portorož international airport is immediately inland — regular aircraft movements during daylight hours; noise is a consideration for early morning anchoring
• Bora: no shelter from NE Bora; Marina Portorož is 0.8nm SE — the nearest proper Bora refuge

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 in the open bay. Hotel Bernardin private marina is for hotel guests only.
• Restrictions: Keep 100m clear of the Hotel Bernardin dock (2-3m depth) and the Bernardin small craft marina entrance. Fair-weather anchorage — open to W, SW, and S; not suitable for overnight in unsettled conditions. Aircraft noise from Portorož airport. Do not anchor in the hotel marina approaches.
• Strunjan Nature Reserve: Central zone (Holy Cross Bay / Ronek) — navigation and anchoring prohibited (Natura 2000). Outer zone — navigation permitted, no anchoring. Verify position on official charts.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Portorož town (0.8nm SE) (0.8nm)
• Restaurant: Hotel Bernardin resort restaurant (accessible from the water via dinghy landing at the hotel beach; hotel guests and paying visitors welcome). Portorož town restaurants and shops 0.8nm SE. Piran old town (provisions, ATM) 1.5nm NW.
• Provisions: None on site — Portorož town (0.8nm SE) (0.8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Use this bay as a transit anchorage or overflow from Piran — it is not a destination in itself, but it is a useful short-stop position in the Piran-Portorož corridor
2. If the Piran municipal moorings are full on arrival, anchor here and take the dinghy to Piran (1.5nm) to explore — then return for an overnight at a mooring if one becomes free
3. The Hotel Bernardin beach area has dinghy landing; the hotel restaurant is accessible to non-guests (check current policy) — a useful lunch stop
4. Marina Portorož (0.8nm SE) is the appropriate overnight facility if conditions deteriorate — fuel, water, electricity, and full marina services available there