Lipci Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Small, very sheltered cove with excellent thick mud holding in 4–10m. The steep surrounding hills provide near all-round protection — one of the most sheltered anchorages in the outer Boka Kotorska. In Bora, the NE katabatic wind is largely blocked by the steep terrain above the cove. The opening faces W, which allows the afternoon Maestral to enter, but it is benign. Only 4–6 boats fit at anchor; arrive early in July–August. The mud is among the best in Montenegro — hook sets immediately and buries deeply.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Lipci is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
2. Drop into the wind and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
3. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. 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. See our guide to anchor types by bottom.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Lipci are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m appropriate in 4–8m on excellent mud. The cove is small — reduce to 50m when other boats present. In Bora, the steep terrain above provides good shelter; increase scope to 6:1 but alarm radius can remain at 65m given the holding quality.

Quiet May–October. The best-kept secret in the outer bay. Never crowded except on occasional July–August weekends when local boats may appear.

Navigation Hazards

• W exposure: the cove opening faces W and the afternoon Maestral enters; benign in summer but creates a slight motion at anchor
• Very small anchorage — can fill quickly in July–August; arrive by early afternoon
• Depths shoal rapidly at the inner end — do not anchor in less than 3m
• No facilities — self-sufficient only

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.
• Maximum stay: 5 days
• Restrictions: Cove is small — maximum 6 boats at anchor. Depths shoal rapidly within 30m of the inner beach.
• 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: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Herceg Novi (6nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Herceg Novi (6nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Herceg Novi (6nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. One of the best anchorages in the outer Boka Kotorska for holding quality and shelter — worth seeking out
2. Arrive by early afternoon in peak season to secure a spot; only 4–6 boats fit comfortably
3. The steep terrain above provides natural Bora shelter — significantly calmer than the open outer bay in moderate NE conditions
4. The silence here at night is remarkable — one of the most peaceful anchorages in Montenegro