Best Anchorages in Ulcinj & the South Montenegro Coast
Ulcinj — the southernmost town in Montenegro — is a fascinating mix of Ottoman old town and Adriatic resort culture, with the Albanian border just south and the iconic Sveti Stefan island hotel to the north. These 10 verified anchorages cover the full south coast from Sveti Stefan to Ada Bojana.
€89
Cruising permit (1 month)
13km
Velika Plaža (longest beach)
Ada Bojana
Albanian border island
Sveti Stefan
Iconic island hotel (Aman)
Important Warnings — Ulcinj & South Montenegro Coast
- Ada Bojana — Albanian border: Ada Bojana sits on the Montenegro–Albania border. The left (W) channel of the Bojana River is Albanian territory. Do not cross into Albanian waters without first clearing customs at an Albanian port of entry (Sarandë or Durrës). Navigation restrictions may apply in the delta area — always check current regulations before visiting.
- Sveti Stefan — private hotel beach: The Sveti Stefan island is the Aman Sveti Stefan luxury resort. Both beaches on either side of the isthmus are PRIVATE property of the hotel and access is restricted to hotel guests. Anchor in the bay off the mainland beaches and maintain a respectful distance from the hotel beach areas. Do not approach the hotel side of the island by dinghy.
- Valdanos Bay — ancient olive grove: The bay is surrounded by one of Montenegro's largest ancient olive groves (some trees over 1,000 years old). Anchor clear of the olive grove shoreline — maintain a minimum of 50m from shore. The ancient trees grow to the water's edge in places; anchor chain contact with root systems is prohibited.
- €89 cruising permit mandatory: All foreign yachts must purchase the Montenegro vignette at first port of entry. Bar is the primary port of entry for arrivals from the south. Always check current permit requirements.
About Ulcinj & the South Montenegro Coast
Ulcinj — Ottoman Old Town
Ulcinj's old town (Stari Grad) is one of the most historically layered places in Montenegro — Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures have all left their mark in the citadel that rises dramatically above the sea. The Turkish quarter, old mosque, and the fortress walls make this one of the Adriatic's most culturally rich destinations. Bar (20nm N) is the recommended port of entry before heading south to Ulcinj.
Sveti Stefan — Icon of Montenegro
The island hotel of Sveti Stefan — ruby-red rooftops rising from a tiny islet connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway — is the defining image of the Montenegro Riviera. The anchorage in the bay off the mainland beaches is good-holding sand in 3–8m and provides an unforgettable overnight backdrop. Critical rule: the hotel beaches are private — maintain distance.
Ada Bojana — Unique Delta Island
Ada Bojana is unique in the Adriatic — a triangular river island at the Bojana River delta, with 3km of sandy beach, a naturist resort, excellent fish restaurants, and the Montenegro–Albania border running through the river channels. The lagoon anchorage in 2–5m on sand is peaceful and unusual. Critical rule: the left (W) river channel is Albania — do not cross without Albanian customs clearance.
Valdanos — Ancient Olive Grove
Valdanos Bay is surrounded by what is claimed to be the oldest olive grove in Montenegro — a protected estate of trees up to 1,000 years old growing right to the water's edge. The anchorage here is atmospheric, good-holding, and very quiet — but the strict rule to anchor 50m clear of the olive grove shoreline must be followed. One of the most memorable anchorages on the south coast.
10 Verified Anchorages
Ulcinj (Old Town Bay)
(Ulqin)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastUlcinj is Montenegro's southernmost town and one of its most fascinating — a layered city where Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures have left their mark over 2,500 years of continuous habitation.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Ada Bojana
(Ada Bojana island)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastAda Bojana is unique in the Adriatic — a triangular river island formed where the Bojana River splits into two channels before meeting the sea, creating a sheltered lagoon on one side and 3km of sandy beach on the other.
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Velika Plaža
(Long Beach Montenegro)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastVelika Plaža (Great Beach) is Montenegro's famous 13km stretch of sandy beach between Ulcinj and Ada Bojana — one of the longest uninterrupted sandy beaches in the eastern Adriatic.
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Valdanos Bay
(Uvala Valdanos)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastValdanos Bay is one of the most atmospheric anchorages on the south Montenegro coast — the bay is surrounded by what may be the oldest and largest ancient olive grove in Montenegro, with some trees estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Utjeha
(Bishop's Beach)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastUtjeha (sometimes called Bishop's Beach, for the former bishop's summer residence above the cove) is a beautiful bay on the south Montenegro coast — pebble and sand beach, clear water, and a sheltered position in northerly conditions.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Čanj
(Canj)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastČanj is a sandy beach resort on the south Montenegro coast — one of the closest beach villages to Bar, and popular with Montenegrin summer visitors.
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Buljarica
(Uvala Buljarica)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastBuljarica is a large sandy beach bay between Bar and Petrovac — one of the most pleasant anchorages on the southern Montenegro Riviera for a settled-weather overnight stop.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Petrovac
(Petrovac Bay)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastPetrovac is one of the most picturesque bays on the Montenegro Riviera — a beautiful crescent bay framed by the old Venetian Kastel fortress on a promontory, the tiny island of Sveta Nedjelja offshore, and the sweep of the sandy beach.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Sveti Stefan Bay
(Sveti Stefan anchorage)Good holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastSveti Stefan is Montenegro's most iconic image — a tiny island village converted into the Aman Sveti Stefan luxury hotel, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, with ruby-red rooftops rising from the sea.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Rezan
(Uvala Rezan)Fair holdingUlcinj & South Montenegro CoastRezan is a small, quiet cove S of Sveti Stefan — away from the excursion boat crowds of the famous bay to the N, but still within sight of the iconic island hotel.
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
70m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Montenegro Anchoring Rules — Ulcinj & South Coast
- !Cruising permit mandatory: All foreign yachts — from ~€89/month. Bar is the recommended port of entry for arrivals from the south. Always check current permit requirements.
- !Ada Bojana — Albanian border: Do not cross into Albanian waters (left/W channel of Bojana River) without customs clearance at a designated Albanian entry port (Sarandë or Durrës). Navigation restrictions may apply. Always check current regulations.
- !Sveti Stefan — hotel beach private: Anchor in the bay off mainland beaches only. Both sides of the isthmus beach are private Aman hotel property. Maintain distance from hotel beach areas. Do not approach the hotel side by dinghy.
- !Valdanos — anchor clear of olive grove shore: Maintain minimum 50m from the shoreline at all times. Ancient protected olive trees grow to the water's edge. Anchor chain contact with root systems is not permitted.
- !South coast exposure: Most south coast anchorages face S or SW and are exposed roadsteads. Overnight stays require confirmed settled forecast. In Jugo (SE wind / SW swell), use Bar marina (port of entry, full facilities) as the refuge for this entire coastline.
For full details, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Monitor Your Anchor Overnight
Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts — essential on the south Montenegro coast where SW swell can build quickly on exposed anchorages and departures must be made at the first sign of change.
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