Full Description & Details
Birthday Bay is a small anchorage on the Croatian coast, positioned at 43.6366 N, 15.6920 E. The bay is marked on nautical charts as an anchorage, and its name reflects a local tradition of celebrating birthdays here. The setting is a quiet, natural cove rather than a developed harbour, and the water is clear enough for swimming and snorkelling. The bay is not a marina, so there are no berths, pontoons, or shore-side facilities to expect.
Protection in Birthday Bay is moderate, as it is an open anchorage rather than a fully enclosed harbour. The holding is in sand and seagrass, and the seabed is sensitive. The official seamark information for the bay carries a clear warning: take care and protect the seagrass. Anchors should be set carefully to avoid dragging through the grass, and skippers should avoid dropping the hook repeatedly in the same spot. Depths in the bay are suitable for a typical cruising yacht, but there is no published depth range for the anchorage itself.
There are no facilities in Birthday Bay. No fuel, water, electricity, or shore power is available, and there is no harbour office or VHF monitoring station. The nearest town is a short distance away, but the bay itself is undeveloped. Skippers should arrive self-sufficient, with full tanks and supplies, and plan to use a dinghy for any shore access. There are no restaurants, shops, or services within the bay.
The best season for visiting Birthday Bay is the summer months, when the weather is settled and the sea is calm. The bay is exposed to some wind and swell, so check the forecast before committing to an overnight stay. There are no known restrictions on anchoring, but the seagrass protection notice is a formal request to all vessels. Leave the seabed as you found it, and avoid anchoring in the grass beds where possible.
How to get there
Approach Birthday Bay from the open sea, using the coordinates 43.6366 N, 15.6920 E as your waypoint. There is no marked channel or buoyed entrance, so navigate visually and with your chartplotter. The bay is open to the sea, and the main hazard is the seagrass beds on the bottom, which can foul an anchor if you are not careful.
There is no VHF channel for the anchorage, so no radio contact is required or available. Land access from the bay is by dinghy only, as there is no dock or quay. The nearest town is a short distance away, but no road or airport information is published for this anchorage.
Formalities are not applicable, as Birthday Bay is not a port of entry. Skippers arriving from abroad should clear in at a nearby official harbour before anchoring here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the holding like in Birthday Bay?
The holding in Birthday Bay is in sand and seagrass. The official notice for the anchorage says to take care and protect the seagrass, so set your anchor carefully to avoid dragging through the grass.
Are there any facilities at Birthday Bay?
No. Birthday Bay has no fuel, water, electricity, or shore services. It is an undeveloped anchorage, so arrive self-sufficient.
Is there a VHF channel for Birthday Bay?
No. Birthday Bay has no VHF monitoring station or harbour office, so there is no radio contact to make on approach.
What is the best time of year to anchor in Birthday Bay?
Summer is the best season, when the weather is settled and the sea is calm. The bay is exposed to some wind and swell, so check the forecast before staying overnight.
Are there any restrictions on anchoring in Birthday Bay?
There are no formal restrictions, but the seamark information asks all vessels to take care and protect the seagrass. Avoid anchoring in the grass beds where possible.
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