By No owner — last modified Feb 10, 2013 03:18 PM

Croatia - Profile

Facts

From Dubrovnik in the south to the Istra peninsula in the north, Croatia has an extensive coastline indented with innumerable bays and there are hundreds of islands that abound in scenic anchorages. More and more mooring buoys are appearing in popular anchorages as local authorities grant more concessions. Whilst this development somewhat kills the charm of anchoring in bays, it does mean that more boats can stay in these bays and safety has improved considerably.
The establishment of the Croatian coast as a popular cruising destination in the 1980s seemed threatened by the war which followed the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. After a spate of fighting on the coast, which saw the destruction of parts of Dubrovnik, hostilities continued mostly inland. The Dalmatian islands and most of Northern Croatia were not touched by the war and by the summer of 1999 most damaged buildings as well as the marina in Dubrovnik had been restored.
Croatia is one of the prime cruising destinations in the Mediterranean. It is an especially popular destination for Italian motor-boaters, particularly during August, and many marinas are full by mid afternoon.
Facilities along the entire Croatian coast are of a very good standard. There are approximately 40 marinas along the coast and as a minimum they have a 10 ton crane and the necessary frame to lift boats up to that weight. There are travelifts with a minimum capacity of 30 tons at Umag, Cres, Sukosan, Hramina, Murter, Bettina, Mali Losinj, Kremik, Vodice and Dubrovnik. The biggest concentration of boatyards is in the Zadar Sibenik area.
Croatia is now however becoming one of the more expensive Mediterranean countries to cruise. Not only is the practice of charging for anchoring becoming more prevalent (normally 50% of the docking fee), but a new "Sojourn Tax" was introduced in 2010 in addition to the expensive cruising permit, fees for changing crews and other official fees. There is no official list of ports that charge for anchoring, however noonsite has noted under each port if it is known that charges are made.
Fuel and provisions are available in most places. Marine equipment is limited, although Split and Trogir have good chandleries. One should carry all essential spares.
Croatia joined the EU on 1July 2013. Immigration rules and permitted length of stay for the boat will then be in line with EU practice. Croatia hopes to be within the Schengen zone by 2015.

Security

In common with many areas in Europe and elsewhere, dinghy theft can be a problem. Ensure that it is well secured to the boat with chain and lock and that also the outboard is as difficult to remove as possible.

The latest report is of a spate of such thefts at Uvala Kanalic, near Pula.

Weather

On the coast is a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and sunny, dry summers.

Weather Forecast +385 060 520 520

Harbour Masters broadcast a running weather forecast every 15 minutes in Croatian, English, German and Italian as follows :-

PULA       VHF Channel 73      North Adriatic - West coast of Istria
RUEKA      VHF Channel 69      North Adriatic - E port
SIBENIK    VHF Channel 73      Central Adriatic - E port
SPLIT      VHF Channel 67      Central Adriatic - E port
DUBROVNIK  VHF Channel 73      South Adriatic - E port

The Hydrological and Meteorological Service broadcasts shipping forecasts via coastguard stations, with 24 hour information about the weather by region, three times a day in Croatian and in English by Radio Rejika, Radio Split and Radio Dubrovnik.

Radio Rijeka broadcasts a UTC forecast at 0535, 1435, 1935 GMT on Ch. 4, 20, 24 and 81.
Radio Split broadcast at 0545, 1245, 1945 GMT on Ch. 7, 21, 23, 28 and 8.
Radio Dubrovnik broadcast at 0625, 1320 and 2120 GMT on Ch. 4, 7 and 85.

Radio and television broadcasts can be picked up in marinas. You can also check the following weather websites:
Hydrological and Meteorological Service - http://meteo.hr
Weather online - http://www.weatheronline.co.uk

For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page