Herceg Novi (Topla Bay) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Topla Bay, Uvala Topla, Herceg Novi roadstead
Herceg Novi is the city of flowers and fortresses at the mouth of the Boka Kotorska — the first major town encountered when sailing into Montenegro from Croatia. The old town (Stari Grad) climbs a dramatic hillside above the sea, with Ottoman and Venetian fortifications, bougainvillea-draped walls, and a vibrant waterfront promenade. The anchorage in Topla Bay offers reasonable shelter on thick mud, but Herceg Novi sits squarely in the Bora's path — the NE wind funnels through mountain passes directly above the town, reaching 40–80 knots in severe events. This is a superb base for exploring the walled city, the spring mimosa festival, and the medieval clock tower — but pay close attention to Bora forecasts and have a plan to move quickly if cap clouds build on Orjen. Montenegro cruising permit mandatory; purchase at Zelenika (3nm E). Herceg Novi mooring restriction zones apply — check with harbour authority on arrival.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
42°27.2'N 18°32.3'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
mud
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE
Exposed To
W, SW, NW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free to anchor in Topla Bay. Harbour fees may apply if using town quay.
Vignette Required
Yes — purchase at port of entry
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m appropriate for the Topla Bay main anchorage in 4–8m on mud. In Bora conditions, increase scope to 6:1 minimum and extend alarm radius to 120m — the NE mountain passes above Herceg Novi channel Bora directly into the outer bay. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Bora warnings. Best Bora alternative nearby: Morinj (12nm SE inside bay), Bigova (5nm S outside bay).
Topla Bay — main yacht anchorage: 80m recommended — The main anchorage for Herceg Novi lies in Topla Bay, the cove immediately E of the town waterfront.
Town waterfront — off the Šetalište: 65m recommended — Off the main waterfront promenade (Šetalište Pet Danica) in 3–6m.
Anchoring Zones
Herceg Novi (Topla Bay) has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.
Zone 1: Topla Bay — main yacht anchorage
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 80m
The main anchorage for Herceg Novi lies in Topla Bay, the cove immediately E of the town waterfront. Depth 4–10m on thick mud with good holding. The katabatic Bora funnels from the NE mountain passes — Topla Bay is better sheltered than the open roadstead but still exposed in severe Bora. The fortified old town (Stari Grad) rises dramatically above the waterfront with the Kanli Kula (Bloody Tower) and the Forte Mare sea fortress as landmarks.
Zone 2: Town waterfront — off the Šetalište
- Depth: 3–7m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, S
- Exposed to: W, SW
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
Off the main waterfront promenade (Šetalište Pet Danica) in 3–6m. Mud and sand holding is good but the anchorage is more exposed to W swell. Check current local restrictions — the town quay has restricted mooring zones that vary seasonally. In peak season the area is busy with excursion boats and the wash can be significant. Use as a daytime stop with a dinghy run ashore rather than an overnight anchorage in summer.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Herceg Novi (Topla Bay) is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
- Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- Set the anchor alarm immediately after setting — in the Boka Kotorska, Bora can arrive with as little as 30 minutes' warning. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain length.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Herceg Novi (Topla Bay) are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW and NW winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below. 80m appropriate for the Topla Bay main anchorage in 4–8m on mud. In Bora conditions, increase scope to 6:1 minimum and extend alarm radius to 120m — the NE mountain passes above Herceg Novi channel Bora directly into the outer bay. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Bora warnings. Best Bora alternative nearby: Morinj (12nm SE inside bay), Bigova (5nm S outside bay).
Usable May–October. Best in May–June before the Dubrovnik day-tripper crowds intensify. July–August is busy with tourism traffic. September–October is excellent: quieter, warm water, settled weather. Avoid lingering in autumn and winter when Bora frequency and intensity peak.
Navigation Hazards
- BORA: mountain passes directly above Herceg Novi produce severe Bora gusts 40–80 knots in major events; cap clouds on Orjen massif are the visual warning — depart for Bigova or Morinj immediately
- W and SW exposure in the anchorage — Maestral is manageable but SW Jugo swell can make the anchorage uncomfortable
- Excursion boat and ferry wash during daylight hours, especially July–August
- Restricted mooring zones on the town waterfront — confirm current restrictions with harbour authority on arrival; zones change seasonally
- Montenegro entry formalities: do not anchor before clearing in at Zelenika or other port of entry
Rules & Regulations
- Montenegro cruising permit (vignette): Mandatory for all foreign yachts — purchase at first port of entry. From ~€89/month. Always check current permit requirements.
- Anchoring fee: Free to anchor in Topla Bay. Harbour fees may apply if using town quay.
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Restrictions: Herceg Novi town quay has restricted mooring zones in peak season — check with harbour authority. Keep clear of excursion boat routes on the waterfront. Always check current permit requirements.
- Risan Bay: Anchoring permanently prohibited in the entire Bay of Risan (underwater archaeological site). Morinj Bay is OK.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Herceg Novi town (0.2nm)
- Restaurant: Excellent choice of restaurants, konobas, and cafes on the Šetalište promenade and in Stari Grad. Full provisioning available in town. Nearest fuel: Tivat marina or Bar.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Clear in at Zelenika (3nm E) first — it is the most practical port of entry for boats arriving from Croatia; only then proceed to Herceg Novi
- The old town is best explored on foot: climb to Kanli Kula fortress at dawn before the day-tripper crowds arrive from Dubrovnik
- If Bora cap clouds appear on Orjen, move immediately — Bigova (outside bay, 5nm S) is the premier Bora refuge; Morinj (12nm SE inside bay) is the best inner-bay refuge
- Montenegro is notably cheaper than Croatia — stock up on provisions here before heading into the bay
- The town's famous Mimosa Festival (February) makes this a popular winter destination; Bora risk is highest in winter — anchor with extreme caution if here off-season
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts, NAVTEX, and current official charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Herceg Novi (Topla Bay)
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts — essential in the Boka Kotorska where Bora can arrive within 30 minutes of the first cap clouds forming on the peaks.
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