Sućuraj Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Sucuraj, Uvala Sućuraj, Sućuraj Hvar
Sućuraj occupies the extreme eastern tip of Hvar island, connected by ferry to Drvenik Veli on the mainland. It is primarily a ferry port and a staging point for passage between E Hvar and the mainland coast (Makarska Riviera). The bay is fair-weather only — open to the S and SE. Basic village facilities with a few konobas. Rarely used as an overnight destination by yachts unless eastward passage timing requires it. The dramatic E Hvar coastline is visible from here, with the Biokovo mountain range as the mainland backdrop.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°07.6'N 17°11.4'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand, gravel
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NW, W
Exposed To
S, SE, E
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m in 3–6m sand/gravel in settled conditions. The open E and SE aspect makes this unreliable in Jugo. Increase scope and alarm to 90m if any S sector wind is forecast. Monitor weather carefully — the exposed position at the E tip of Hvar can deteriorate quickly.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
The bay at Sućuraj (E tip of Hvar) offers anchorage in 3–6m on sand and gravel in fair weather. Protected from N and W but significantly exposed to S, SE and E — Jugo and Sirocco make this anchorage uncomfortable. Fair-weather only; useful as a staging point for the E Hvar–mainland crossing. The ferry quay occupies the NW corner — keep clear of the Sućuraj–Drvenik ferry approach.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Sućuraj is primarily sand and gravel.
- 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.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius. 70m in 3–6m sand/gravel in settled conditions. The open E and SE aspect makes this unreliable in Jugo. Increase scope and alarm to 90m if any S sector wind is forecast. Monitor weather carefully — the exposed position at the E tip of Hvar can deteriorate quickly.
Functional year-round in N conditions. Avoid in any S sector weather. Best used only as a transit stop.
Navigation Hazards
- S, SE and E fully exposed — Jugo and Sirocco make the anchorage untenable; depart to Jelsa or Stari Grad
- Ferry approach lane — the Sućuraj–Drvenik Veli ferry is frequent; maintain clearance at all times
- E tip of island exposure — conditions at the cape can be rougher than anywhere else on Hvar
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 2 days
- Restrictions: Keep well clear of the Sućuraj–Drvenik ferry approach lane. 150m beach exclusion in season. Fair-weather anchorage only — do not overnight in any S sector wind.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Sućuraj village (0nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: One or two konobas in the village. Basic grocery shop. Limited provisions compared to Jelsa.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- Use this as a staging anchorage for E Hvar arrival/departure only — not worth visiting as a destination in itself
- The Biokovo mountain range on the mainland (1,762m) is dramatic from this anchorage
- Depart before 10:00 if heading W to Jelsa to use the morning calm before the Mistral builds
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 Sućuraj
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