Palmižana Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Palmižana, Paklinski Otoci Palmižana, Sv. Klement Island
Palmižana is the most famous anchorage in the Paklinski Islands and one of the most celebrated sailing destinations in the Adriatic — a beautiful pine-fringed bay on the island of Sv. Klement with crystal-clear water, a legendary beach restaurant (Meneghello), and an artists' colony atmosphere. Mooring buoys are provided by the Meneghello family — essential here as Posidonia seagrass covers most of the bay and anchoring directly on it is prohibited. Buoy fees apply (€20–35/night). The water taxi to Hvar town runs every 30–60 minutes in season. Extremely busy July–August — arrive before 10:00 for a buoy.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°09.6'N 16°23.7'E
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand, posidonia
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, NW
Exposed To
S, SW, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor in outer sandy bay; buoy fee €20–35/night in main bay
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m if anchoring in the outer sandy section. If on a mooring buoy in the main bay, reduce to 25–30m — the buoy pennant length limits swing. The main bay is extremely busy July–August; a 60m radius will immediately overlap with neighbouring boats. Use buoys wherever possible.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Palmižana has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Main bay — mooring buoys
- Depth: 4–8m
- Bottom: sand, posidonia
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, NW
- Exposed to: S, SW, SE
- Alarm radius: 60m
Palmižana's main bay has mooring buoys available from the Meneghello family operation (fee applies). Anchoring directly on Posidonia is strictly prohibited — buoys protect the seagrass meadows. Sandy patches exist but are largely occupied by the buoy anchors. Pick up a buoy rather than attempting to anchor. If all buoys are taken, the bay is full — proceed to Vinogradišće or Vlaka.
Zone 2: Outer bay — deeper anchorage
- Depth: 8–15m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW
- Exposed to: S, SW, SE
- Alarm radius: 100m
The outer bay in 8–12m has more sand/mud bottom suitable for anchoring. Less congested than the main bay but more exposed to S. Good holding once set on sand. 100m alarm radius to account for deeper scope. Jugo swell reaches here — depart in sustained SE conditions.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Palmižana is primarily sand and posidonia.
- Approach slowly — deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 60m radius. 60m if anchoring in the outer sandy section. If on a mooring buoy in the main bay, reduce to 25–30m — the buoy pennant length limits swing. The main bay is extremely busy July–August; a 60m radius will immediately overlap with neighbouring boats. Use buoys wherever possible.
May–June and September–October for a civilised experience. July–August is extraordinary but extremely crowded — the social atmosphere is intense and the anchorage can feel like a floating party. Arrive early, secure a buoy, and enjoy.
Navigation Hazards
- Posidonia throughout main bay — buoys are mandatory, not optional; fines enforced
- S, SW and SE exposure — Jugo creates swell; depart to Stari Grad in sustained SE
- Extreme congestion Jul–Aug — 40–60+ buoys and anchored boats; wake and noise levels high
- Water taxis and excursion boats at high speed approaching the bay — maintain watch
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in outer sandy bay; buoy fee €20–35/night in main bay
- Mooring buoys: Available — €20–35/night payable to Meneghello family boat or on arrival
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: Posidonia anchoring STRICTLY PROHIBITED in main bay. Use mooring buoys. No loud music after 24:00. 150m beach exclusion from the sandy beach.
- 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 (3nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Meneghello restaurant — legendary for fish and seafood; book ahead in July–August. Several other restaurant terraces available.
- Provisions: None on site — Hvar town (3nm)
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 09:30 in July–August to secure a buoy — by 11:00 the bay is full
- Pick up a buoy immediately and pay the fee — do not anchor on Posidonia under any circumstances
- Evening in Palmižana is magical — book dinner at Meneghello for one of the best fish meals in Croatia
- Early morning (06:00–09:00) is perfect for swimming — calm, clear water, no tourist boats yet
- Vinogradišće (1nm W) is quieter with the same Paklinski atmosphere — consider it for a more peaceful night
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 Palmižana
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