Milna Cove (Hvar) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Milna Hvar, Milna N Hvar, Milna Hvar Island
Milna Cove on the NW Hvar coast is a quiet, off-the-beaten-track anchorage on one of the most overlooked stretches of the island. Note: this is a different location from the famous Milna on Brač island (which lies 14nm to the NE). This Milna is a small village on Hvar's N coast with a handful of stone houses, a pebble beach, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that the Paklinski islands haven't offered since the late 1990s. Excellent sand and mud holding with good protection from N and NW. An ideal quiet alternative to the Paklinski crowds — close enough to Hvar town (7nm) to reach in an hour if desired.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°11.3'N 16°20.8'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E
Exposed To
S, SW, W
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m appropriate for 3–6m sand/mud in the cove interior. The cove size limits swing. In sustained S or SW wind, exposure increases — monitor weather and increase alarm to 80m. Not suitable as an overnight anchorage in Jugo conditions.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Milna on the N coast of Hvar (not to be confused with the more famous Milna on Brač) is a quiet, largely undiscovered cove 7nm W of Hvar town. Sand and mud bottom in 3–6m gives excellent holding. Protected from N, NE and NW. The small village has minimal facilities. Open to S and SW — afternoon Mistral from NW can create some chop but the NE-leaning aspect of the cove provides reasonable comfort.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Milna Cove (Hvar) is primarily sand and mud.
- Approach slowly — deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m depth).
- Drop into wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse for 30–60 seconds.
- 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 appropriate for 3–6m sand/mud in the cove interior. The cove size limits swing. In sustained S or SW wind, exposure increases — monitor weather and increase alarm to 80m. Not suitable as an overnight anchorage in Jugo conditions.
Excellent May–October. Genuinely quiet even in July–August — the distance from Hvar town keeps the party charter fleet away. September–October outstanding for solitude.
Navigation Hazards
- S and SW exposure — Jugo creates uncomfortable conditions; depart to Paklinski Islands or Stari Grad
- No facilities — carry all provisions, fuel and water
- Posidonia on cove margins — snorkel to verify sandy anchorage spot
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: 150m beach exclusion from the pebble beach in season. No anchoring on Posidonia — present on cove margins. 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: Not available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Hvar town (7nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Small seasonal konoba in the village — hours irregular; do not rely on it. Come self-sufficient.
- Provisions: None on site — Hvar town (7nm)
Skipper's Tips
- This is the quiet option when the Paklinski Islands are full — 7nm further W from Hvar town but dramatically fewer boats
- Do not confuse with Milna on Brač — confirm your chartplotter is showing the N Hvar waypoint
- Morning is the calmest time — arrive after a night at Hvar town or Paklinski and enjoy a peaceful morning swim
- From here, the W tip of Hvar and onward to Korčula or Vis is within easy day-sail reach
A note on this guide: Always check current weather, NAVTEX/VHF bulletins, and HHI charts. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Milna Cove (Hvar)
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