Telašćica Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Uvala Telašćica, Telascica Bay, Telašćica Nature Park
Telašćica is among the most dramatic and beautiful natural harbours in the entire Adriatic. The bay is a drowned river valley penetrating deep into the southern end of Dugi Otok, with vertical limestone cliffs reaching 160m on the open-sea (W) side that shield the anchorage from Atlantic Atlantic swells and Adriatic storms alike. The result is an almost perfectly protected inland sea surrounded by wild karst landscape. Telašćica is a declared Nature Park — mooring buoys are mandatory and free anchoring is not permitted within the park boundary. The park entry fee applies per person. The famous Lake Mir (Jezero Mir) is a 15-minute walk from the main bay — a landlocked salt lake that sits 2°C warmer than the sea, surrounded by fragrant Mediterranean maquis. The 160m cliffs on the seaward side are the highest in the Adriatic. An unmissable destination despite — or because of — its organised nature park status.
Quick Reference
GPS
43°53.8'N 15°10.1'E
Depth
6–18m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, W, S
Exposed To
None
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Fee
Mooring buoy fee per night; park entry fee per person per day
Permit
Yes — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Telašćica Nature Park entry fee per person per day (check np-telascica.hr for current rates). Mooring buoys MANDATORY — free anchoring prohibited inside park boundary. Park wardens patrol May–October.
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m alarm radius appropriate when on a mooring buoy — accounts for typical scope and swing on a buoy pickup. ANCHORING IS PROHIBITED inside the park — take a park mooring buoy. The alarm is set to detect if the buoy line parts or the buoy pick-up fails. If no buoy is available, depart to Sali or anchor outside the park boundary (check HHI chart for exact park limits).
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Telašćica has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Main bay — mooring buoys mandatory
- Depth: 6–18m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, W, S
- Alarm radius: 0m
MOORING BUOYS MANDATORY inside the Telašćica Nature Park boundary — free anchoring is NOT permitted. The bay offers exceptional all-round protection from the steep 160m cliffs on the W side (facing the open Adriatic). The mud and sand bottom has excellent holding but anchoring is prohibited; take a buoy. Buoys are available May–October and must be booked/paid at the park checkpoint. Outside buoyed season, check with the park authority before free-anchoring.
Zone 2: Lake Mir — no access for yachts
- Depth: 0–0m
- Bottom:
- Holding: Poor holding
- Protected from: All directions
- Alarm radius: 0m
Lake Mir (the salt lake) is accessible only on foot from the bay — yachts cannot enter. The lake is 2°C warmer than the surrounding sea due to geothermal warming of the shallow water. Swimming in the lake is permitted and the warm, saline water is therapeutic. Access is a 15-minute walk from the main bay. No anchoring or dinghy access to the lake.
Setting Your Anchor
Bottom at Telašćica: primarily mud and sand. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (126m at 18m). Set firmly in reverse and snorkel to verify bottom — avoid Posidonia (€2,000 fine).
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 55m radius. 55m alarm radius appropriate when on a mooring buoy — accounts for typical scope and swing on a buoy pickup. ANCHORING IS PROHIBITED inside the park — take a park mooring buoy. The alarm is set to detect if the buoy line parts or the buoy pick-up fails. If no buoy is available, depart to Sali or anchor outside the park boundary (check HHI chart for exact park limits).
May–October for park buoys. Outside buoyed season the park may permit anchoring in specific zones — check with the park authority. July–August is very busy but the grandeur of the setting justifies the crowds. September is ideal.
Navigation Hazards
- Mooring buoys: inspect the buoy pickup line and ring carefully — buoys vary in condition; if in doubt about integrity, inform the park warden
- Cliff effect: the 160m W cliffs create wind acceleration and turbulence in strong W winds — Bura from NE is well-sheltered but can still gust over the ridge
- Park rules are strictly enforced — ensure park fees are paid on arrival and keep the ticket visible on board
- No free anchorage: if all buoys are occupied, you must leave the park boundary — do not attempt to anchor inside the park
- Lake Mir path: the walk to the lake crosses uneven limestone terrain — wear proper shoes
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Required — Croatian eNautička cruising permit required. Telašćica Nature Park entry fee per person per day (check np-telascica.hr for current rates). Mooring buoys MANDATORY — free anchoring prohibited inside park boundary. Park wardens patrol May–October.
- Anchoring fee: Mooring buoy fee per night; park entry fee per person per day
- Mooring buoys: Available — fee may apply
- Maximum stay: 3 days
- Restrictions: Free anchoring PROHIBITED inside the park boundary. Mooring buoys mandatory. No fishing without park permit. No fires or BBQ ashore. No noise after 23:00. Lake Mir accessible on foot only — no dinghy access. Park rules strictly enforced.
- 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: Sali (Dugi Otok) (6nm)
- Restaurant/Konoba: Seasonal konoba at the bay head — excellent fish and local wine in a spectacular setting. Open June–September.
- Provisions: None — Sali (Dugi Otok) (6nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Book a buoy in advance if possible through the park authority — in July–August all buoys are taken by midday
- Walk to Lake Mir in the early morning before the day-trip boats arrive — the silence and the warm saline water make it an extraordinary experience
- The 160m cliffs on the seaward side are best seen by dinghy along the outer coast — check the weather before attempting the exposed W side
- The konoba at the bay head has one of the most dramatic settings of any restaurant on the Adriatic — dine here on your first evening
- Arrive from the S (Sali, 6nm) or N (Brbinj, 16nm) — both approaches are well-marked and straightforward in daylight
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 Telašćica
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position and alerts you the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — essential in the Zadar Archipelago where Bura can arrive fast.
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