Ston Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Mali Ston, Ston Bay, Stonski kanal
Ston is one of the great historical stops of the Dalmatian coast — a small town with the second-longest city walls in the world (5.5km, built 14th century, stretching up the hill and connecting to Mali Ston across the salt pans). The medieval salt pans are still in production, maintained since Roman times. Mali Ston Bay (Malostonski zaljev) is world-famous for its outstanding oysters and mussels, cultivated in the clear, nutrient-rich waters fed by the Neretva river delta. A meal of Ston oysters and local Dingač wine is one of the finest gastronomic experiences of a Pelješac cruise. Anchor in the mud of the inner channel.
Quick Reference
GPS
42°50.5'N 17°41.5'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW
Exposed To
W, NW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Fee
Free to anchor in channel; quay dues if using town quay
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Harbour dues may apply at Ston quay. Oyster farm areas strictly off-limits for anchoring.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m on mud in 4–10m. Excellent holding throughout the bay. W and NW exposure to Bura and Mistral — these can build quickly; keep anchor well set and add scope if wind increases from W.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Ston has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Mali Ston — inner channel anchorage
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Alarm radius: 70m
The Mali Ston channel (Malostonski zaljev) is a shallow, sheltered bay in the elbow of the Pelješac Peninsula, famous for its oyster and mussel farms. Anchor in 4–8m on excellent mud. The medieval salt pans and city walls of Ston and Mali Ston are directly visible. Well sheltered from most directions but open to W/NW Bura and Mistral. The oyster farms occupy much of the bay — avoid anchoring near the cultivation lines.
Zone 2: Ston town quay — stern-to
- Depth: 2–4m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, S
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Alarm radius: 40m
Limited stern-to berths alongside the Ston town quay. Good for a short visit to the city walls. Check with the harbourmaster for available space. Walk the entire city wall circuit (5.5km, one of the longest preserved medieval walls in Europe) from the quay.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Ston: primarily mud. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (70m at 10m). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify bottom — avoid Posidonia (€2,000 fine).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius. 70m on mud in 4–10m. Excellent holding throughout the bay. W and NW exposure to Bura and Mistral — these can build quickly; keep anchor well set and add scope if wind increases from W.
Good May–October. Most interesting as an overnight stop combined with a meal of Ston oysters. Busiest in July–August when restaurant queues can be long. Quieter in shoulder months and the walls and salt pans are equally beautiful.
Navigation Hazards
- Oyster farm lines throughout the bay — navigate carefully; anchoring in or near the cultivation lines risks fouling your anchor
- W and NW Bura exposure — can build rapidly off the Pelješac mountains; keep good scope
- Shallow entry channel requires attention to depths on approach from W — use HHI chart
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Harbour dues may apply at Ston quay. Oyster farm areas strictly off-limits for anchoring.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in channel; quay dues if using town quay
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Restrictions: Do NOT anchor in or near oyster cultivation areas — equipment damage risk and environmental concern. Keep clear of fishing vessels. Respect the working fishing and aquaculture harbour.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Ston town (0.5nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Excellent fish restaurants in both Ston and Mali Ston towns — world-renowned for oysters. Book ahead in high season.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- Do NOT miss the Ston oysters — shuck-your-own or order at a restaurant; they are among the finest in the Mediterranean
- Walk the full Ston–Mali Ston city wall circuit (5.5km) — 2 hours and extraordinary views over the salt pans and bay
- The salt pans are still in production — you can buy artisan sea salt direct from the salt workers
- Book a restaurant table in Mali Ston in advance for July–August — 'Kapetanova Kuća' is legendary
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 Ston
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