Cres Town
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Cres Town, Croatia
 (Click links for more information)
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 | Local chartlet |
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The harbour of Cres Town lies at the head of a narrow inlet on the E side of the large Gulf of Valun on the NW coast of the island of Cres in Croatia. The E coast of the Istra peninsula on the mainland is only 12 miles to the W. Like most of the island capitals, Cres Town owes its architectural legacy and therefore much of its charm to the Venetians, who ruled in this area for nearly four centuries from the 15th almost to the end of the 18th century. Today the town is popular with Italian and Austrian tourists as well as yachtsmen from all nations, attracted by the well sheltered harbour and 473 berth marina.
Charts
British Admiralty 202, 2719
Croatian chart 100 - 16 (Pula - Kvarner)
Imray M23 (Adriatic Sea)
Local 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.
There are no dangers in the approach to Cres Town. The narrow, 500 metre wide inlet leading to the town is entered from NW and opens out into a wide bay at the N end of which the town sits. The sides of the inlet are shallow, with rocky obstructions, especially on the N side, and a yacht should enter down the centre of the channel. The town and its small, shallow harbour lie just under a mile from the entrance on the NE side. The inlet narrows again after the harbour of Cres Town and continues SSE to the pontoons of Marina Cres.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Cres Town is not a port of entry. The nearest port of entry is Mali Losinj on the island of [Losinj]].
Berthing options
From N to S the options in Cres Town are as follows:
Harbour breakwater
Moderate draft yachts can moor on the outside of the long western breakwater of the harbour. Depths inside are too shallow for most yachts and there is in any case rarely any space. There are laid moorings for around 10 yachts along the breakwater. Depths here are around 3.0 metres. Water and electricity is available along the breakwater. Shelter here is good in most conditions, although an uncomfortable swell sets into the bay with anything W in the wind. Strong southerlies also make it uncomfortable here in view of the half mile fetch across the bay.
Harbour jetty
Alternatively, a yacht can lie alongside the long jetty SE of the harbour entrance, clear of the ferry berth, if there is space. Depths here are 3.0 - 4.0 metres and water and electricity is available. The jetty is heavily used by hotel boats and you may be asked to move if a number are due in, especially in high season. Shelter here is better than on the breakwater and only strong NW winds would create a problem.
Brodogradilište ‘Marina’
The small yard of Brodogradilište immediately SE of the jetty has around 20 berths, complete with laid moorings, water and electricity, which can be used by visiting yachts if space is available. Depths are 4.0 - 5.0 metres. Shelter is good from all directions except S. Click on link [[1]] for website.
The ACI-owned Marina Cres has 437 berths for yachts up to 25 metres and maximum draft of 5.0 metres. Shelter here is excellent and it is the best (if most expensive) place to be if bad weather is forecast. Click on the link above for full details.
Offshore Islands and Groups
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
It is possible to anchor in the bay off the town, just E of the small headland of Rt. Melin, where shelter is good from all directions except NW. Note, however, that there is a reef extending 100 metres due S from Rt. Melin. Depths in the anchorage are 4.0 - 6.0 metres and the holding is good in mud and sand.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Repairs/Yards
- Boatyard of Brodogradilište Cres near the town. See [[2]] for details of services.
- ACI Marina Cres also has a small boatyard. See marina entry for details.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station at the root of the long jetty. Water and electricity on the breakwater, jetty and in the marinas.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Cres Town is very picturesque and Italianate, with tall, pastel-coloured houses clustered round a small outer and tiny inner harbour. The narrow, tortuous lanes of the old town are full of arches and winding, dead end lanes. Like many similar towns in Croatia, the residents make up for their lack of gardens with balconies or front steps that are a riot of foliage. With transport (and if not planning a visit by yacht), the charming village of Valun four miles SW of Cres Town is worth a visit. It lies at the foot of steep cliffs and the very steep access road leads down to a small quay with around a dozen laid moorings and four or five restaurants round the harbour. There are also occasional buses to Beli, a hilltop settlement at the NE end of the island, where there is a famous griffon vulture sanctuary.
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Small supermarkets and good provisions shops in the town.
Eateries
- Several cafes and restaurants around the harbour and in Cres Town.
- The Riva Restaurant next to the inner harbour does a good mixed grill. --Athene of Lymington 15:53, 16 August 2011 (BST)
Internet/WiFi
In the marina.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins near the harbour.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
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
- List of all Croatian marinas
- List of government-owned ACI marinas
- Croatian National Tourist Board
- Find Croatia travel guide
- Wikipedia - Croatia
References & Publications
- Adriatic Pilot (Imray) - Trevor & Dinah Thompson 5th edition 2008
- 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:
- * August 2004 and May 2005 --Athene of Lymington 17:32, 18 August 2011 (BST)--Athene of Lymington 15:39, 16 August 2011 (BST)
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Names: Athene of Lymington, |
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