Pag
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Pag Island, Croatia
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Pag Island in Croatia
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 | Local chartlet |
Pag Island is a long and narrow island, the country’s fifth largest, lying off the mainland coast of Croatia opposite the Velebit mountain range. Nearby islands include Rab, Olib and Vir. Although nearly 40 miles long, the width of the island varies from just two to ten miles. The island is connected to the mainland via a road bridge at its extreme SE end, with an air clearance of 35 metres and therefore navigable by all but the largest yachts . On its eastern side lies the Velebit Channel, infamous for the violence of its winds during a strong bora. The island is largely bare of trees, unlike some of its neighbours, and subsists largely on fishing, tourism and the production of wine and cheese. The tangy, salty Pag cheese, soaked in olive oil, is widely considered one of the best in Croatia. Visiting yachts mostly make for the main harbour of Pag Town on the E coast or the marina at Simuni on the W coast, though there are also several good anchorages around the island, depending on wind conditions.
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Berthing options
The principal berthing options on Pag Island are the rather exposed harbour of Pag Town on the E side of the island or the government-owned ACI marina of Simuni Marina on the W coast, although there are additional good anchorages at the villages of Zubovici and Caska in the inlet of Pag Town and (S to N) Povljana, Kosljun, Novalja, Jakisnica and Tovarnele on the W coast. Click on link for locations: Map of harbours and anchorages on Pag. For full details of the harbours and anchorages, see below.
Charts
British Admiralty 515, 202
Croatian charts MK 10
Imray M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)
Weather
Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split.
Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.
For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
Mali Losinj is the nearest port of entry. In summer only, Bozava on Dugi Otok is also a port of entry.
Ports and Popular Stops
Ports
Click on the appropriate link below for full details of the ports on Pag Island.
Anchorages
Note: U. (short for Uvala) = cove. Click on the link under Berthing Options above for the location and summary details of each anchorage or on the co-ordinates next to each anchorage for a simple map.
U. Zubovici
The village of U. Zubovici is situated on the E side of the Paski Zaljev, the 10 mile long inlet at the S end of which lies Pag Town. Zubovici is around six miles from the entrance to the inlet from the Velebit Channel. A large scale chart is recommended as there are several unmarked shoals in the approach from S and SE. There is a short pier at the village, which is usually crammed with local vessels, but a yacht can anchor off in 5.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is also good from NW round to E, but the anchorage becomes untenable in any strong winds from S or SE. No facilities.
U. Caska
The village of Caska is situated at the head of the Paski Zaljev, the 10 mile long inlet at the S end of which lies Pag Town. Caska is around nine miles from the entrance to the inlet from the Velebit Channel. A large scale chart is recommended as there are several unmarked shoals off Zubovici in the approach from S and SE. Anchor off in 4.0 - 8.0 metres. is a short pier at the village, which is usually crammed with local vessels, but a yacht can anchor off in 5.0 metres. Holding is moderate to good in sand and weed. Shelter is good except in strong winds from W or NW, when it would probably become untenable. No facilities.
U. Povljana
Povljana village lies on the NE side of a wide bay at the SW corner of the island, two miles NE of the smaller island of Vir. Beware the shoal water off the headlands either side of the bay. Anchor off the village in 5.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively berth alongside the S side of the short pier of the village if there is room. Depths here are around 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Shelter in the bay is good in all conditions except if there is anything W in the wind. No facilities other than a couple of restaurants.
U. Kosljun
The hamlet of Kosljun is situated on the SW coast of Pag Island, some five miles NNW of Povljana, at the N end of a two mile wide bay. Beware the shoal water off the headlands either side of the bay. Anchor off the jetty at the village in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is moderate to good in sand with some rocky patches. Shelter is good in NW and E winds but the bay is completely open S. As an alternative to free anchoring, it may be possible (if there is space) to anchor moor stern or bows-to on the short pier, where there are depths of 2.0 - 3.0 metres alongside. No facilities.
U. Novalja
The holiday resort of Novalja lies at the head of a NW-facing bay on the W coast of the island, eight miles NNW of the inlet of Simuni Marina. In the approach, beware the shoal waters extending off the headlands on either side of the bay. Anchor off the village in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter here is good except if there is anything W in the wind. As an alternative to free anchoring, it may be possible (if there is space) to anchor moor stern or bows-to on the S side of the village quay, where there are depths about 3.0 metres alongside. There is a fuel berth here (although alongside depths are only 1.5 metres), provisions shops and restaurants ashore. There is also an ATM.
U. Jakisnica
44°38.6′N, 14°46.9′E
Jakisnica is a quiet and sparsely inhabited inlet four miles SSE of the extreme NW tip of Pag Island and around eight miles NNW of Novalja. Anchor in the bay in 4.0 - 6.0 metres, if necessary taking a line ashore to one of the jetties around the inlet. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good from N and E but the inlet is o[pen W and S. Small provisions shop and restaurant ashore.
U. Tovarnele
44°41.5′N, 14°44.28′E
Tovarnele is a small hamlet on the NW coast of the island, barely a mile from the extreme NW tip. If approaching from N, beware of the extensive shoals off the headland of Rt Lun at the NW tip of the island. Anchor off in the bay in 4.0 - 6.0 metres, with a line ashore if necessary to prevent swinging. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good from all directions except NW round to W. No facilities.
U. Stara Povlana
44°19.8′N, 15°08.16′E
Stara Povlana bay is the westernmost of the two long inlets at the SE end of Pag Island (the other being U. Dinjiska). The inlet extends over two miles from the wide entrance in a NW direction. Anchor at the head in 8.0 - 10.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter is good from all directions except SE. No facilities ashore.
U. Dinjiska
Dinjiska bay is the easternmost of the two long inlets at the SE end of Pag Island (the other being U. Stara Povlana). The narrow inlet extends over three miles from the entrance in a NW direction. Anchor at the head in 7.0 - 9.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter is excellent from all directions except SE. No facilities ashore.
U. Smokvica
U. Smokvica lies on the NE shore of the bay of Stara Povlana, two miles from the head of the inlet. Anchor at the head of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres (avoiding the rocky patch), with a line ashore if desired. Holding is good in sand and mud. Good shelter here from N and E but open S. No facilities.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
See Simuni above.
Yacht Services and Repairs
See Simuni above.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel berth in Novalja (but depths alongside of only 1.5 metres). Otherwise, from garage on outskirts of Pag Town. Water and electricity at all berths in Simuni marina.
Offshore Islands
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
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The island is quite bare and rocky and, apart from its proximity to the awe-inspiring range of the Velebit mountains, has little to recommend it in the landscape. Most of the tourism interest centres on Pag Town, which largely dates from the 15 century and contains many old buildings. The town lies at the head of a large inlet facing the Velebit mountains and is surrounded by salt pans (the manufacture of the famous Pag cheese being the other major industry). The 16th century church of St Mary’s has an intriguing sculpture over its door, showing the Virgin surrounded by Pag women in local headdresses. The nearby Ducal Palace has a similarly ornate doorway. Pag Town also boasts a small lace museum, celebrating the other craft (in addition to cheesemaking) for which the island is celebrated.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Supermarkets in Pag Town and Novalja
- Minimarket in Simuni
- Small grocery shop in Tovarnele
Eateries
- Restaurants in Pag Town, Simuni, Povljana, Novalja and Stara Novalja.
- In Pag town, the small courtyard restaurant of Dva Ferala (two lanterns), offered in 2004 a great lunch of Pag lamb, salad and local Žutica white wine followed by Pag cheese. --Athene of Lymington 13:42, 14 November 2012 (GMT)
Internet/WiFi
Internet café in Pag. Wifi in Simuni marina.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
In Pag Town.
Transportation
- Car ferry from Zigljen on NE coast to Prizna on mainland.
- Buses from Pag Town to Zadar, Rijeka and Zagreb.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Cres tourist board
- List of all Croatian marinas
- List of government-owned ACI marinas
- Croatian National Tourist Board
- Find Croatia travel guide
- Wikipedia - Croatia
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
- Adriatic Pilot (Imray) - Trevor & Dinah Thompson 6th edition 2012
- 777 Harbours & Anchorages - Karl-H. Bestandig 4th edition 2010-11
- Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical) - Jane Cody and John Nash
- Adriatic Sea Pilots Volume 1 and 2 (Croatian Hydrographic Office)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2004 ----Athene of Lymington 15:04, 21 April 2012 (BST)
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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