Vela Rina Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Vela Rina, Drvenik Mali Anchorage, Vela Rina
Drvenik Mali (Little Drvenik) is a small, largely uninhabited island W of Trogir, connected to its larger twin Drvenik Veli by a narrow channel. Vela Rina Bay on the S coast offers one of the most tranquil and off-the-beaten-track anchorages in the Split archipelago. The island has just a handful of permanent residents and very little tourist infrastructure — no marina, no resort hotel, just a few stone houses and the ancient landscape of Dalmatia. Sand and mud holding is excellent and the bay's orientation gives good all-round shelter. A perfect contrast to the busy Split marinas and Trogir crowds.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
43°27.4'N 16°08.9'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, NW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m appropriate for 4–8m sand/mud with 5:1 scope. The bay is generously sized — swing room is good. In afternoon Mistral above F4, increase to 85m. The secondary cove can be used at 50m for calmer conditions.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Vela Rina Bay has 2 distinct anchoring zones with different depth, holding, and exposure.
Zone 1: Bay head — main anchorage
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Alarm radius: 65m
The main bay on Drvenik Mali's S coast is a superb overnight anchorage with excellent sand/mud holding in 4–8m. Very well protected from N, E and S directions — Bura shelter is good. Open to W and NW — afternoon Mistral creates chop but the bay depth provides reasonable comfort. The island is largely uninhabited and the anchorage is quiet even in peak season.
Zone 2: Secondary cove — N of bay head
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, S
- Exposed to: W, NW, SW
- Alarm radius: 50m
A smaller secondary cove N of the main bay offers slightly better W shelter from the headland. Pure sand bottom in 3–5m with excellent holding. Space for 3–4 boats. More intimate and quieter than the main bay.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Vela Rina Bay is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — check depth sounder. Deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
- Drop into wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — apply moderate throttle for 30–60 seconds.
- Snorkel to verify — confirm anchor is on sand/mud, not Posidonia (anchoring on Posidonia carries fines up to €2,000 in Croatia).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta, Bugel.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Vela Rina Bay are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to W and NW.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before sleeping. 65m appropriate for 4–8m sand/mud with 5:1 scope. The bay is generously sized — swing room is good. In afternoon Mistral above F4, increase to 85m. The secondary cove can be used at 50m for calmer conditions.
Excellent May–October. The island's remoteness means it remains uncrowded even in August. October is outstanding for solitude and clear water — watch the weather carefully for Bura and Jugo onset.
Navigation Hazards
- W and NW exposure — afternoon Mistral creates chop; increase scope and alarm radius after noon
- No facilities — carry all water and provisions before departure
- Posidonia on bay margins — always snorkel to verify anchor placement
- Remote location — nearest fuel and water at Trogir (11nm)
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia — check before setting. 150m beach exclusion from any bathing beach. No tying to trees or rocks on shore.
- Croatian eNautička (MMPI) permit required for all foreign yachts.
- SSVO 2025: 150m beach exclusion zone Jun 15–Sep 15.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available — come provisioned
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Trogir (11nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: None — Trogir (11nm)
- Provisions: None on site — Trogir (11nm)
Skipper's Tips
- This is one of the quietest overnight anchorages within 15nm of Split — a genuine escape from the crowds
- Arrive with full water tanks and provisions — there is nothing on the island
- The secondary cove N of the main bay gives slightly better W shelter on Mistral afternoons
- Snorkelling off the rocky headlands is outstanding — clean water and good fish life due to the low boat traffic
- From here, the next hop W is the outer Šolta islands and Hvar — a natural staging point for further exploration
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Always check current weather, NAVTEX/VHF bulletins, and HHI charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Vela Rina Bay
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