Jelsa Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchor NW of the ferry terminal in 3–7m on excellent sand and mud. The large bay provides good shelter from N and NW. Open to S, SE and E — Jugo and E winds create swell. Good holding even in moderate conditions. Keep clear of the ferry quay approach lane. A small beach area on the NW shore — maintain 150m exclusion in season.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Jelsa is primarily sand and mud.

1. Approach slowly — deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
2. Drop into wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
3. Set firmly in reverse for 30–60 seconds.
4. Snorkel to verify — confirm no Posidonia. Fines up to €2,000 for anchoring on Posidonia in Croatia.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 60m radius. 60m in 3–7m sand/mud. Excellent holding means the anchor sets reliably. In S or SE winds, the exposure becomes significant — increase scope and alarm to 85m and monitor forecast. Ferry wash from the Split–Jelsa service is manageable from the NW anchorage position.

Excellent May–October. Far quieter than Hvar town in July–August — the practical and authentic alternative for crews needing to resupply. September–October outstanding for weather and local atmosphere.

Navigation Hazards

• S, SE and E exposure — Jugo creates uncomfortable swell in the bay; depart to Stari Grad or Vrboska in SE conditions
• Ferry traffic — Split–Jelsa ferries run multiple daily — keep clear of approach channel
• 150m beach exclusion from NW shore beach in season

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: No special permit required
• Anchoring fee: Free to anchor; town quay berths €15–25/night
• Maximum stay: 5 days
• Restrictions: Keep clear of ferry approach lane. 150m beach exclusion from the sandy beach in season. No anchoring on Posidonia meadows. No tying to natural features.
• Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
• SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant/Konoba: Good range of restaurants and a well-stocked supermarket — one of the best provisioning stops on Hvar.
• Provisions: Available nearby
• Wi-Fi: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Best provisioning stop on N Hvar — supermarket, fish market, pharmacy, and ATM all within 5 min of the quay
2. The fortress tower above the town gives excellent views — 20-min walk
3. In the evening the town square (Pjaca) is an authentic Dalmatian scene — far less commercialised than Hvar town
4. Excellent base for a bicycle ride to Vrboska (3nm) and Stari Grad (8nm) via the coastal road