Saint Nicholas Bay
cove · Sazan Island · Albania
Saint Nicholas Bay is a cove on the island of Sazan Island, in the Albania cruising area.
The bay opens towards the east-north-east (76°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south, south-west, west and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in north (tramontana) and south-east (sirocco) wind.
No shelter in north-east and east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 5 NM of open water towards the east.
Swell can come in from north-east to east-north-east (44°–64°).
Swell can come in from east to east-south-east (84°–108°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Room to anchor: medium (about 3.7 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (43 buildings within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Vjeter, 8.7 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Porto Novo Beach, 4.1 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Porto Novo Beach, 4.1 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: The Cave of Haxhi Ali, 4.6 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Porto Novo Beach cove · 4.1 NM by sea
- Zvërnec Beach cove · 4.3 NM by sea
- The Cave of Haxhi Ali cove · 4.6 NM by sea
- Gjiri i Shën Janit cove · 4.7 NM by sea
- Vjeter cove · 8.7 NM by sea
- Port of Vlora port · 9.5 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Albania by wind
More places – Sazan Island
- Patok cove
- Porto Novo Beach cove
- Ammos Beach cove
- Dave's Bay cove
Questions
Is Saint Nicholas Bay sheltered from the tramontana?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Vjeter, 8.7 NM by sea.
Is Saint Nicholas Bay sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is The Cave of Haxhi Ali, 4.6 NM by sea.
What is the seabed at Saint Nicholas Bay?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Room to anchor: medium (about 3.7 ha).
Can you spend the night at Saint Nicholas Bay?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.