Cavtat

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Revision as of 16:28, 16 August 2011

Cavtat, Croatia

File:CavtatQuay.jpg The harbour of Cavtat - click for larger view
(Click links for more information)
	42°34.9′18, 13.5°E′
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The picturesque town and harbour of Cavtat is situated just under six miles SE of Dubrovnik and is the last recognized harbour heading south before the border with Montenegro. The main harbour lies on the W side of a prominent headland, Rt Sveti Rok, with a secondary harbour in the bay of Tiha on the E side of the headland. Shelter in the main harbour is good in S and E winds, but poor in NW and W winds, when Tiha offers better protection. Visiting yachts go stern/bows-to the quay in Cavtat or on the pontoons in Tiha or anchor off in either harbour wherever there is space.

Charts

British Admiralty 1580

Croatian chart 100-21

Imray Nautical Chart M25

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

Diurnal winds along the coast are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains are a feature of some of the harbours along the NE Adriatic 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 in the N Adriatic. It tends, however, to blow less strongly S of Zadar.

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.

Approach and Navigation

There are numerous unlit hazards to be avoided in the approach to Cavtat and a night approach is not recommended. Approaching from S, the islet of Mrkan should be left well to port, avoiding the rocky ledge extending for nearly half a mile off its SE tip. The wooded cape of Rt Sustjepan at the SW side of Cavtat should be given a clearance of at least half a mile in the approach from S as there is a rocky ledge 100 metres off its W side. In the approach from N, the islet of Supetar should be left well to port as there is a dangerous rock awash 500 metres SE of it, roughly halfway between the islet and the headland of Rt Svet Rok. Closer in, the beacon and light of Pl. Seka Velika (painted black and red with two spherical topmarks) should be left 50 metres to port. It is important not to stray too close in to the headland of Rt Sveti Rok as there are shallows extending for over 200 metres to the W of it.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

In the main harbour of Cavtat, moor stern/bows-to the quay on the N side of the bay, using your anchor, wherever there is space. Depths here are 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Alternatively anchor off at the s end of the harbour in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in mud. Shelter in the main harbour is good in S and E winds, but poor in NW and W winds. In strong winds from this direction it is probably untenable. If winds from this quarter are expected, the inlet of Tiha on the other side of the headland of Rt Sveti Rok offers better protection, although some swell still enters. In Tiha, moor stern/bows-to either of the two new pontoons if there is space. Laid moorings here with water and electricity. Depths on the pontoons are 2.0 - 3.0 metres. Alternatively anchor off in the centre of the bay in 3.0 - 4.0 metres. The holding is good in mud and weed (once our anchor is through) but the shelter less so if there is more N than W in the wind.

Tiha bay from SW
Click for larger view

Offshore Islands and Groups

Only small islets.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None in Cavtat. Water and electricity on the pontoons in Tiha.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Cavtat is a popular destination for day trippers from Dubrovnik and the waterfront is consequently packed with fish restaurants catering for this trade. Tourist attraction sinclude the 16th century Rector’s Palace, the diminutive baroque church of St Nicholas next door, the monastery of Our Lady of the Snow and a gallery dedicated to Cavtat’s most famous son, the modernist painter Vlaho Bukovac.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarket and other provisions shops.

Eateries

Numerous restaurants on the waterfront. More in Tiha.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

None.

Transportation

• Buses to Dubrovnik.
• Passenger ferries to Dubrovnik

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

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

Links to relevant websites.

For other useful websites, see Croatia.

References & Publications

See entry for Croatia.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2004 --Athene of Lymington 18:15, 10 August 2011 (BST)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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