Rose (Luštica) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Traditional fishing village on the N coast of Luštica, inside the Bay of Kotor entrance. Mud anchorage in 3–8m with good holding. The bay faces W across the Herceg Novi arm, giving shelter from N and NE Bora (better than the open Herceg Novi roadstead). The village has a timeless, unchanged quality — stone houses, fishing nets, and minimal tourism. A small quay and tiny church mark the village centre. Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Rose (Luštica) is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder. At 3–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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 — on the Luštica coast, SW swell can arrive with little warning and superyacht wash from Porto Montenegro can reach anchorages unexpectedly. 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 Rose (Luštica) are feasible but require vigilance — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below. 70m in 3–6m on mud. Moderate Bora shelter from the surrounding Luštica hillside. In Bora, this is calmer than the open outer bay though still exposed to gusts channelling across from the Herceg Novi direction. Extend scope to 6:1 in Bora conditions.

Excellent May–October. Quiet throughout the season. Best in May–June and September–October for peace and solitude.

Navigation Hazards

• W and SW exposure across the Herceg Novi arm — afternoon Maestral creates motion; manageable in summer
• Bora: moderate shelter from Luštica hillside but gusts still reach here in major events; extend scope and keep alarm active
• Local fishing boat moorings — keep clear on approach and at anchor
• Shallow inner areas near the quay — use echosounder

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: Keep clear of local fishing boat moorings. No anchoring within 30m of the beach or village quay.

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 (3nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Herceg Novi (3nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Herceg Novi (3nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. An excellent quiet alternative to the bustle of Herceg Novi town — the coastal path between Rose and Herceg Novi (45 minutes) is beautiful
2. The village is one of the most authentically unchanged in the outer bay — the stone architecture and fishing community have barely altered in a century
3. Combined day stop: anchor at Rose, dinghy to Herceg Novi for the day, return to the quiet anchorage for the night