Sivota (Mourtos) Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Sivota (Mourtos) has 3 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Sivota (Mourtos) is primarily sand and rock with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 3–6m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (42m chain at 6m depth).
2. Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on the anchor.
3. Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. Take a GPS bearing. Note your position once set and compare to the scope calculator to confirm you have adequate chain for the depth.

Recommended anchor types for this bottom: CQR, Delta, Rocna, Mantus. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Sivota (Mourtos) are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to NW and W winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below for the night.80m radius is appropriate for free-swinging in 3–6m on sand in Monastery Bay. If using a mooring buoy in the inner south bay, reduce to 50m — but always run the alarm. The Maestro afternoon NW wind can funnel into the main bay more strongly than expected; if gusts exceed F4 in the late afternoon, take a long line to the NW shore rocks and reduce radius to 50m. Ferry wash from the Igoumenitsa–Corfu route can set up uncomfortable surge at the quay — prefer a swinging berth if staying overnight.

May–June and September–October are the best months — warm water, manageable crowds, and the turquoise colour is at its most vivid. July–August is spectacular but the anchorage reaches capacity by noon most days. The Epirus coast in September sees the best water temperature of the year.

Navigation Hazards

• Extremely crowded July–August — late arrivals may foul others' anchors in the main bay
• Patchy rock bottom in places — snorkel to verify anchor is set in sand not resting on rock
• Maestro NW builds strongly 12:00–16:00 — plan arrival before 14:00 to avoid beating in
• Blue Lagoon channel: day-tripper boat traffic 09:00–17:00 — keep clear of channel when anchored
• Albanian border 25nm NW — do not approach Albanian waters without prior clearance

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required beyond standard Greek DEKPA transit log
• Anchoring fee: Free for swinging at anchor
• Mooring buoys: Available — €15–20/night for private mooring buoys in the inner bay
• Restrictions: No specific anchoring restrictions. Avoid blocking tripper-boat transit routes through the Blue Lagoon channel. Do not anchor on Posidonia — seek sandy patches.

For a full overview of Greek anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Mourtos village (quayside) (0nm)
• Restaurant: 3–4 tavernas along the quay; fish tavernas are the local speciality
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Arrive before 10:00 in July–August for a swinging berth. The bay fills completely by midday. Alternatively arrive after 18:00 when day-trippers leave — but hold-over spots are harder to find at dusk.
2. The inner south bay private mooring buoys (€15–20) offer slightly better shelter and good sand holding — worth the fee if a quiet night is the priority.
3. Snorkel your anchor before going ashore — the bottom is mixed sand and rock and the anchor can rest on rock without dragging immediately but will drag in the night Maestro.