Cavtat (Epidaurus) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cavtat Bay, Epidaurum, Cavtat Harbour
Cavtat is the beautiful small town built on the site of ancient Epidaurus, a Roman predecessor to Dubrovnik itself. Located 8nm south of Dubrovnik, just north of Dubrovnik Airport, Cavtat is consistently the recommended alternative to trying to berth in the overcrowded Dubrovnik old harbour. The ACI Marina provides full facilities, and regular water taxis run to Dubrovnik old town in 30 minutes. The town's Baroque promenade, the Račić Mausoleum by Ivan Meštrović, and excellent restaurants make Cavtat a destination in its own right rather than merely a substitute for Dubrovnik. Mooring buoys are available in the main bay for day visitors and overnight stays.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°34.9'N 18°13.0'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, W, S
Exposed To
SE
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor in outer bay; marina berth fees ~€60–120/night; mooring buoys ~€20–30/night
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Marina berth fees apply at ACI Marina. Mooring buoy fee for buoy areas.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m in bay on sand/mud. Reduce to 40m on mooring buoys or in marina. SE exposure — Jugo swell enters the outer bay; marina berth is much more comfortable in SE conditions.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Cavtat (Epidaurus) has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: ACI Marina berths
- Depth: 2–5m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, W, S
- Exposed to: SE
- Alarm radius: 40m
Cavtat ACI Marina occupies the W side of the bay with full berth facilities. Secure in all conditions except severe SE. The marina is the recommended alternative to Dubrovnik old harbour — full services, regular water taxis to Dubrovnik old town (30 minutes), and the beautiful Cavtat waterfront to enjoy. Mooring buoys also available in the bay for smaller vessels.
Zone 2: Bay anchorage — mooring buoys
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, W, S
- Exposed to: SE, E
- Alarm radius: 70m
Mooring buoys in the main bay area for vessels not using the marina. Sand and mud bottom — good holding for free anchoring further out. The bay is well sheltered from NW Bura and the typical summer Mistral. SE Jugo sends swell into the outer bay — consider marina berth in Jugo conditions.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cavtat (Epidaurus) is primarily sand and mud. Deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify — avoid anchoring on Posidonia (fines up to €2,000).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius. 70m in bay on sand/mud. Reduce to 40m on mooring buoys or in marina. SE exposure — Jugo swell enters the outer bay; marina berth is much more comfortable in SE conditions.
Excellent all season May–October. July–August is busy but manageable. ACI Marina provides year-round berths. Good for all-weather stays. The recommended base for visiting Dubrovnik by yacht.
Navigation Hazards
- Dubrovnik Airport is directly N — aircraft on approach pass overhead; not a navigational hazard but notable
- SE Jugo sends swell into the outer bay — use marina berth or mooring buoys in N/NW part of bay in SE conditions
- High summer marina congestion — book ACI Marina in advance for Jul–Aug
- Water taxi boats create regular wash in the bay during operating hours
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Marina berth fees apply at ACI Marina. Mooring buoy fee for buoy areas.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in outer bay; marina berth fees ~€60–120/night; mooring buoys ~€20–30/night
- Mooring buoys: Available — ~€20–30/night
- Maximum stay: 14 days
- Restrictions: 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15. Keep clear of airport approach flight path overhead (noise, not obstruction). Keep ferry berth clear.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant/Konoba: Excellent range of restaurants along the Cavtat waterfront promenade. Several fish restaurants and cafés.
- Provisions: Available nearby
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Book ACI Marina Cavtat in advance for July–August — it fills quickly as the main Dubrovnik-area marina
- Water taxi to Dubrovnik old town runs regularly in season — check the schedule and avoid the long drive/bus
- The Račić Mausoleum by Meštrović above the town is one of the finest pieces of 20th-century sculpture in Croatia — a short walk up from the waterfront
- Cavtat is genuinely lovely in its own right — less frenetic than Dubrovnik and often preferred by returning visitors
- Dubrovnik old harbour almost always has no space for visiting yachts in summer — come here instead
A note on this guide: Always check current weather, NAVTEX/VHF bulletins, and HHI charts. Use a GPS anchor alarm — never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Cavtat (Epidaurus)
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