Šipanska Luka Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Šipan North Harbour, Sipanska Luka, Šipan N
Šipanska Luka is the principal harbour of Šipan, the largest of the Elafiti Islands. The village is a delight — a Baroque village square flanked by stone summer palaces of the old Ragusan nobility, konoba restaurants, and an easy, unhurried atmosphere that can only exist on a car-free island. The harbour provides excellent shelter from all northerly and easterly winds. The ferry from Dubrovnik calls daily, so keep the ferry berth clear. A second, smaller harbour (Suđurađ) is at the south end of the island. Šipanska Luka is consistently rated among the best overnight stops in the Dubrovnik region.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°44.5'N 17°52.0'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, S
Exposed To
W, SW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor; quay dues ~€10–20/night if using village quay
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. No national park fee. Harbour dues may apply if berthing at the village quay.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m covers swing on sand/mud in 3–7m. Reduce to 40m when anchored close to the quay. Bay is well sheltered from common wind directions. If SW wind develops, increase scope and set a second anchor or move to the quay.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Šipanska Luka has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Village quay — stern-to
- Depth: 2–4m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 40m
Stern-to or bows-to alongside the village quay in 2–4m. The quay has lazy lines or you can anchor bow out. The inner harbour is well sheltered from all but SW winds. This is the main settlement on Šipan island — a charming village with konoba, small shops, and the Rector's Palace (16th century). Ferry berths are marked; keep clear of the ferry pontoon.
Zone 2: Inner bay — free anchoring
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Alarm radius: 65m
The inner bay S of the quay has good swinging room on sand/mud. Anchor in 3–6m and use the dinghy to go ashore. This section gives more privacy than the quay and is quieter. Well sheltered in the typical summer Mistral pattern. Bay becomes exposed in strong W/SW conditions but these are rare in summer.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Šipanska Luka is primarily sand and mud. Deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m 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, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius. 65m covers swing on sand/mud in 3–7m. Reduce to 40m when anchored close to the quay. Bay is well sheltered from common wind directions. If SW wind develops, increase scope and set a second anchor or move to the quay.
Excellent May–October. Quieter than Lopud and Koločep as it is the farthest Elafiti from Dubrovnik. July–August is busy but pleasant. Shoulder months offer the island almost entirely to yourself.
Navigation Hazards
- Ferry traffic — Dubrovnik–Šipan ferry calls multiple times daily; keep the ferry pontoon clear at all times
- SW exposure — occasional SW swell in late Jugo conditions; quay berths become uncomfortable but the inner bay is manageable
- Shallow areas E of the quay — approach centrally; minimum depth 2.5m on the approach channel
- Summer crowding Jul–Aug; arrive before 16:00 to secure a quay space or good anchorage
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. No national park fee. Harbour dues may apply if berthing at the village quay.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; quay dues ~€10–20/night if using village quay
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Keep ferry berth clear at all times. No overnight anchoring within 150m of the beach. No tying to trees or shore rocks.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Šipanska Luka village (0nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Several konoba restaurants in the village, open May–October. Some open year-round. Fresh fish and local wine.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- Berthside at the quay for easy shore access to the village konoba — book a table in advance in high season
- The stone summer palaces of the Ragusan nobility dotted around the village are worth exploring
- Hire bicycles in the village to explore the olive groves and vineyards inland
- The evening ferry from Dubrovnik brings day-trippers — they return by the last ferry and the village becomes quiet and peaceful
- Best sunsets are from the rocky promontory at the harbour entrance looking W toward the open sea
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 Šipanska Luka
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