Lokrum Island Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Lacroma, Lokrum NE anchorage
Lokrum Island is a nature reserve immediately east of Dubrovnik old town — one of the most dramatically located islands in the entire Adriatic, with the city's medieval walls and the Adriatic sea as backdrop. The island has been a nature reserve since 1976 and has strict rules: NO overnight anchoring, no fires, no camping. Day visitors arrive on the Dubrovnik–Lokrum ferry (every 30 min in season). Yachts may anchor off the NE coast during the day to visit the island's botanical gardens, peacock colony, salt lake (Mrtvo More), Benedictine monastery ruins, and famously, the nudist beach (FKK). The island is exquisitely beautiful but small — treat it as a lunchtime stop rather than an overnight anchorage.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°37.5'N 18°07.5'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, rock
Holding
Fair holdingProtected From
W, SW, NW, S
Exposed To
N, NE, E
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Fee
Day anchor only — island entry fee per person. No overnight — fines apply.
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Day island entry fee per person applies. OVERNIGHT ANCHORING STRICTLY PROHIBITED — nature reserve law.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m accounts for variable holding on sand/rock in 4–10m. DAY ANCHOR ONLY — must depart before nightfall. Nature reserve rangers enforce the no-overnight rule. NE Bura exposure — depart immediately if NE wind develops.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
DAY ANCHOR ONLY — NO OVERNIGHT STAYS PERMITTED. Nature reserve regulations strictly prohibit overnight anchoring, camping, and fires on or around Lokrum. The NE coast off the rocky foreshore offers day anchoring in 4–10m on sand and rock. Bottom is variable — snorkel to check anchor placement. The island is famous for its botanical garden, peacocks, and nudist beach. Ferries from Dubrovnik old harbour run every 30 minutes in season.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Lokrum Island is primarily sand and rock. 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.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius. 80m accounts for variable holding on sand/rock in 4–10m. DAY ANCHOR ONLY — must depart before nightfall. Nature reserve rangers enforce the no-overnight rule. NE Bura exposure — depart immediately if NE wind develops.
Day stop only, May–September. The island is magical in early morning before the ferry crowds arrive. No autumn or winter visits make sense from a sailing perspective.
Navigation Hazards
- NO OVERNIGHT ANCHORING — nature reserve law; rangers actively enforce and fines are significant
- NE Bura exposure on the NE coast — depart immediately if NE wind strengthens; the anchorage has no Bura protection
- Very heavy ferry traffic from Dubrovnik old port — ferries run every 30 minutes in season; maintain clear lane for ferry approach
- Variable holding on sand/rock — snorkel to verify anchor placement
- Extreme summer crowding on the island and in its approaches
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Day island entry fee per person applies. OVERNIGHT ANCHORING STRICTLY PROHIBITED — nature reserve law.
- Anchoring fee: Day anchor only — island entry fee per person. No overnight — fines apply. 0
- Restrictions: NO OVERNIGHT ANCHORING — nature reserve (Lokrum Special Reserve). No fires, no camping, no collecting of plants or wildlife. Must depart before sunset/nightfall. Rangers enforce rules actively in season.
- 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 old town (1nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Small café/restaurant on the island open in season (accessible from the ferry landing).
- Provisions: None on site — Dubrovnik old town (1nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Anchor off the NE coast for a lunchtime stop — swim ashore or take the dinghy to the ferry landing and explore the gardens and peacocks
- The Mrtvo More (Dead Sea) salt lake in the centre of the island is a unique swimming experience — warm, very salty, and beautiful
- The nudist FKK beach on the SE coast has the best swimming — accessible on foot from the ferry landing
- Dubrovnik walls are visible from the anchorage — the view of the old city from water level is one of the most magnificent in the Mediterranean
- Do NOT plan to overnight here — leave before sunset and anchor at Cavtat or Zaton Bay for the night
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 Lokrum Island
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