Distances from shore, beaches and the 8-knot strip
1The lesson in plain words
Within 300 m of the coast: 8 knots maximum, no planing. Boats under 15 m stay at least 50 m from shore and managed-beach barriers.
The new ordinance
Coastal navigation rules are in the Pravilnik o sigurnosti pomorske plovidbe (Ordinance on safety of navigation in internal waters and the territorial sea), NN 52/2025, in force since 29 March 2025, amended by NN 40/2026. It replaced the 2013 ordinance that older guides quote.
Speed near the coast
Within 300 m of the coast, in narrow channels and on approaches to ports and anchorages, go with special care at no more than 8 knots. Motorboats and jet skis may plane (skim over the water at speed) only beyond 300 m from the coast, where planing is not banned. Check charts and official publications for lower local limits.
Keep off the shore
Boats under 15 m stay at least 50 m from the coast; 15 m to under 30 m, 150 m; 30 m and over, 300 m. You may come closer slowly to enter or leave port, anchor, berth, or where the channel requires it. Stay 50 m from a managed beach’s barrier (100 m for 15 m to under 30 m; 300 m for 30 m and over). Keep boats and jet skis outside bathing areas.
Anchoring and shore lines
Keep your swinging circle (the area your boat can sweep around its anchor) at least 50 m clear of a beach barrier and 150 m off a natural beach. Do not anchor where charts or the harbour master forbid it, or over cables and pipes. When tied ashore, every part of the boat and her gear must remain under 70 m from shore. Mark ropes and anchor chains, keep navigation clear, and never tie ashore in bathing areas.
Small craft and divers
Personal craft (kayaks, paddleboards, pedalos, windsurfers) normally stay within 300 m of shore, by day. They may go farther with an appropriate motor-vessel escort arranged by the organiser, rental operator or activity leader. Mechanically powered personal craft stay at least 50 m offshore. Pedalos and paddleboards may use managed bathing areas. Keep at least 50 m from a diver’s marker unless you are the diver’s escort vessel.
2Key data
- Within 300 m of the coast
- 8 knots maximum; no planing
- From the shore
- < 15 m: 50 m · 15–<30 m: 150 m · ≥ 30 m: 300 m
- Managed-beach barrier
- < 15 m: 50 m · 15–<30 m: 100 m · ≥ 30 m: 300 m
- Anchoring off a natural beach
- At least 150 m from the shore
- Diver's marker
- At least 50 m away, except the diver’s escort vessel
- Shore lines
- Every part of the boat and gear under 70 m from shore
3Key points
- 1
8 knots maximum within 300 m of the coast, in narrow channels and on port approaches.
- 2
Plane only beyond 300 m from the coast.
- 3
Boats under 15 m: 50 m from the shore and 50 m from a beach barrier.
- 4
Do not anchor within 150 m of a natural beach.
- 5
Keep 50 m from a diver’s marker unless you are the diver’s escort vessel.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The coastal speed limit is 5 knots within 150 m, as in older guides.
Right: Under NN 52/2025 the limit is 8 knots within 300 m of the coast, in narrow channels and port approaches, and planing is only allowed beyond 300 m.
Wrong: I may anchor just outside the swimmers at a natural beach.
Right: Anchoring is forbidden within 150 m of the shore of a natural beach.
Wrong: Long shore lines are fine if they are marked.
Right: Every part of the boat and her gear must remain under 70 m from shore. Mark ropes and chains; keep navigation clear and stay outside bathing areas.
5Practice case & exam keys
You are planing at 20 knots, 250 m off Hvar in a 10 m motorboat. You propose anchoring 80 m off a natural beach. At a separate, non-bathing site, you propose a 60 m shore line; the furthest offshore point of the boat and gear is unknown. What must change?
Show the answer
Stop planing and slow to 8 knots or less. Reject the 80 m anchorage: keep the whole swinging circle at least 150 m off the natural beach. At the separate site, a 60 m line alone proves nothing. Confirm that every part of the boat and gear stays under 70 m from shore. If you cannot meet that limit, abandon the shore line. Use only a permitted site outside bathing areas; mark ropes and chains and keep navigation clear.
Exam keys
- NN 52/2025 (in force 29 March 2025; NN 40/2026): 8 knots within 300 m; planing only beyond 300 m.
- Distance from shore: 50 / 150 / 300 m by length (< 15, 15–<30, ≥ 30 m).
- Anchoring: not within 150 m of a natural beach; swing circle 50 m clear of a beach barrier.
- Diver’s marker: 50 m, except its escort. Tied ashore: boat and gear under 70 m; mark ropes and chains.
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