Donje Čelo, Koločep Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Donje Celo, Kolocep North Bay, Kalamota
Donje Čelo is the main settlement and harbour of Koločep, the nearest of the three main Elafiti Islands to Dubrovnik — just 5nm from Gruž harbour. The small car-free island has beautiful sandy beaches, a welcoming hotel, and excellent konoba restaurants. As the closest Elafiti to Dubrovnik it receives the most day-trip traffic, but evenings are peaceful once the excursion boats return. The sandy bottom gives excellent holding and the bay is well sheltered from N. A good option for a first night out of Dubrovnik or a last night before returning. Another village, Gornje Čelo (Upper), sits on the south coast and can be reached by a pleasant 20-minute walk through olive groves.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°39.5'N 18°00.5'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, W
Exposed To
S, SE, E
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor; mooring buoys ~€15/night in season
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Standard Croatian maritime regulations.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m on sandy bottom in 2–5m. Bay is sheltered from N and NW but open to S and SE — Jugo makes this bay untenable. Reduce to 40m in calm settled conditions. Day-trip boat wash can be significant in the afternoon — ensure anchor is well set.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Shallow sandy bay on the N coast of Koločep, the nearest Elafiti island to Dubrovnik. Anchor in 2–5m on excellent sandy bottom. The village of Donje Čelo is immediately at the waterfront with a hotel, konoba, and small sandy beach. Mooring buoys available seasonally. Very popular day-trip destination from Dubrovnik — busy in the afternoon but quieter in the evenings as day visitors depart.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Donje Čelo, Koločep is primarily sand. Deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (35m chain at 5m 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 55m radius. 55m on sandy bottom in 2–5m. Bay is sheltered from N and NW but open to S and SE — Jugo makes this bay untenable. Reduce to 40m in calm settled conditions. Day-trip boat wash can be significant in the afternoon — ensure anchor is well set.
Good May–October. Busiest of the Elafiti anchorages due to proximity to Dubrovnik. Better in shoulder months. Avoid in SE Jugo.
Navigation Hazards
- Heavy day-trip excursion boat traffic from Dubrovnik — afternoon wash and congestion; anchor well before 10:00 or after 17:00
- SE exposure — Jugo makes bay untenable rapidly; nearest shelter is Zaton Bay to the N
- Shallow sandy approaches — monitor depth carefully on approach; 2m minimum depth at head
- 150m beach exclusion zone — busy beach in season
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Standard Croatian maritime regulations.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; mooring buoys ~€15/night in season
- Mooring buoys: Available — ~€15/night
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15. Keep clear of excursion boat landing area. Ferry berth on E side — keep clear.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Dubrovnik (Gruž) (5nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Hotel restaurant and konoba in Donje Čelo village open Jun–Sep.
- Provisions: None on site — Dubrovnik (Gruž) (5nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive early or late in the day to avoid peak excursion boat congestion
- Walk to Gornje Čelo on the southern coast — 20 minutes through beautiful olive groves with no cars anywhere
- Excellent first or last night anchorage for a Dubrovnik-area circuit: close to Gruž harbour with good holding
- The hotel terrace has a lovely view and serves good local wine
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 Donje Čelo, Koločep
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and alerts you the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius.
Download Free for iOS