Golfo di Zaton – Dubrovnik

Mali Zaton is a bay about 2 kilometers long along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.The importance of this bay lies in the good protection it offers from the bura and all winds in general and its proximity to Dubrovnik (Ragusa). The city is only 6 nautical miles away, so the yachtsman who wants to stop here before arriving will find an optimal environment here. Mali Zaton is the name of the bay, anchoring to the north in 12 meters of depth, do not take to the bottom of the inlet. Veli Zaton, on the other hand, is the name of the small village located immediately to the left after entering the bay. In the village marina there is a pier with depths from 1.5 meters (dock) to four meters (head), about a dozen dead bodies are also found. For entry into the bay at night rely on a red light flashing three seconds placed at the entrance.

The whole area is good for anchoring the boat, thanks in part to the clean and calm waters. On the coast there are a few beaches frequented by tourists and vacation accommodations. If you are looking for more facilities you have to head towards the city but obviously near Dubrovnik the marinas and ports are very expensive compared to the average in Croatia and it is difficult to find places in high season. Also from these marinas (Gruz, Club Orsan, etc.) the old town (the one within the walls to visit) is quite far away.

The Gulf of Zaton has the distinction of being a quiet, inexpensive place with preserved nature, despite its proximity to Dubrovnik. The small town overlooking the gulf has the characteristics found in settlements along the Croatian coast, stone houses by the sea, a typical medieval old town, and a contour of hills with Mediterranean macchia.

Wind protection good, bora in southern Dalmatia blows with less intensity, anchorage good, make sure however that the anchor has set, presence (limited) of some stone slabs. We take this opportunity to remind boaters to always pay attention to the time when anchoring and to the tightness of the anchor especially along Dalmatia, the seabed is not always sand/mud (good keeper and perfect for the danforth anchor, in common use) on the contrary, as you will also notice from the morphological composition of the coast often stones are found and the favorable climate also helps the growth of numerous algae. The seabed then will often be undulating and in some cases steep, so be sure to have plenty of chain, a grappling hook type anchor for rocky seabed and a line available to possibly pass it ashore.