Hvar

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Hvar Island, Croatia

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Hvar Island in Croatia.

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	43°09.54′N, 16°39.06′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Hvar Island lies off the mainland coast of Split on the mainland coast of Croatia, at its easternmost point only three miles off the coast. Sandwiched between the islands of Brac to the N and Korcula to the S, Hvar is blessed with an unusually benign climate and is thus one of the most popular holiday islands in Croatia. The island has a mountainous spine rising to 628 metres at its highest point south of the town of Stari Grad and much of its coastline, especially on the S and W sides, is indented with numerous small coves providing anchorages suitable for use in a wide range of wind conditions. Apart from the usual crops of grapes, figs and olive oil, Hvar is particularly noted for the cultivation of lavender, the scent of which pervades the nostrils even several miles offshore at certain times of year. Hvar has plenty to offer the cruising yachtsman, with eight harbours, two marinas and nearly 40 anchorages, of which 18 are listed here. At the western end of Hvar Island is a string of small islands known as the Pakleni Islands, which constitute a mini cruising ground in their own right.

The harbour of Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands
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Anchorage in the Pakleni Islands
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The harbour of Vrboska on Hvar Island
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Charts

British Admiralty

2712

1574

269

Croatian charts

MK19

MK20

MK21

MK22

Imray

M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

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)

Hvar Town is a summer port of entry only. Split or Korcula are the nearest all-year round ports of entry.

Berthing options

There are 36 principal berthing options on the island, the harbours of Hvar Town, Zavala, Sucuraj, U. Stiniva, Jelsa, Vrboska, Stari Grad and U. Vira, the marinas of Marina Vrboska in Vrboska and Marina Palmizana in the Pakleni Islands and numerous anchorages both on Hvar Island itself and in the nearby Pakleni Islands, of which 18 are detailed here and eight on the Pakleni Islands page.

For full details see below or, for a zoomable summary map of the marina, harbours and anchorages on Hvar Island, click on: Map of marina, harbours and anchorages on Hvar Island.

For full details of the anchorages on the Pakleni Islands see the separate page or, for a zoomable summary map of the marina and anchorages in the Pakleni Islands, click on: Map of marina and anchorages in the Pakleni Islands.

Ports

The ports on Hvar are listed anti-clockwise from the main port of Hvar Town. See links below.

• Hvar Town
• Zavala
• Sucuraj
• U. Stiniva
• Jelsa
• Vrboska
• Stari Grad
• U. Vira

Anchorages

The main anchorages along the S coast of the island from Hvar Town to Sucuraj are as follows:

U. Milna 43°09.72′N, 16°28.8′E
Milna is a popular beach resort spread across two sandy bays, with the main part of the village in the E bay. It is difficult to get sufficiently close in to anchor as the beaches are buoyed off and the best option is to pick up one of the restaurant buoys in the bay. Shelter is good except with anything S in the wind.

U. Zub od Zaraca 43°09.00′N, 16°30.84′E
The anchorage of U. Zub od Zaraca is a small cove protected from W and SW by a natural rock breakwater. Depths here are too great to anchor, but there are several restaurant buoys which can be picked up by visiting yachts. Shelter is good except in S or SE winds.

U. Dubovica 43°08.64′N, 16°31.98′E
The bay of U. Dobovica is a pleasant cove with a sandy beach at its head. Anchor off the beach in 6.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is moderate in sand and shingle. Alternatively moor bows or stern-top using your anchor on the quay on the W side of the bay (if there is space). Depths at the quay are 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Shelter in the bay is good except with anything S in the wind.

U. Duboka 43°06.96′N, 17°02.46′E
U. Duboka is a totally undeveloped anchorage offering good shelter in all but S winds. Anchor towards the head of the inlet in depths of 4.0 - 6.0 metres, taking a line ashore in view of the narrowness of the inlet. The holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

U. Kozja 43°06.96′N, 17°02.82′E
U. Kozja, the next inlet E of U. Doboka, offers good shelter in all but S winds. Anchor at the top of the inlet in 8.0 - 10 metres. Holding is good in sand and mud. There are no facilities ashore.

The main anchorages along the N coast of the island from Sucuraj to Stari Grad are as follows:

U. Pokrivenik 43°08.94′N, 16°53.1′E
U. Pokrivenik is a large bay with several coves where a yacht can find good shelter in all but N and NE winds. Anchor in your choice of cove in 5.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is generally good in sand and weed. Some of the coves have restaurants open during the season.

U. Vela Stiniva 43°09.42′N, 16°48.78′E
U. Vela Stiniva is a U-shaped cove hemmed in by steep cliffs and affording good shelter in all conditions except northerly winds. Its small harbour is invariably filled with local boats, so anchor off in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. There is a stone bollard on the W side of the bay to which it is possible to take a line. Basic café/bar ashore.

Otok Zecevo 43°11.34′N, 16°41.52′E
The small islet of O. Zecevo offers a good anchorage on its S side in settled weather only. Anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. The bay is excellent for swimming but a yacht should not risk an overnight stay unless the forecast is very settled. No facilities ashore.

U. Maslinica 43°11.4′N, 16°40.5′E
The anchorage of U.Maslinica is just half a mile W of Otok Zecevo and offers better protection for an overnight stay. Note that there are shoal patches extending off the headlands on both sides of the entrance. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 6.0 - 8.0 metres, with a line ashore if preferred. Holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all but N and NE winds. No facilities ashore.

U. Basina 43°11.94′N, 16°39.84′E
U. Basina is a triple-branched inlet which offers good shelter in one or other of its branches from all but NE winds. Note that the coasts both N and S of the inlet have shoals extending over 200 metres offshore. The northernmost branch of the inlet is the most developed and offers the best shelter, whereas the other two branches are more deserted. Anchor in 5.0 - 6.0 metres wherever convenient. The holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

U. Zukova 43°12.42′N, 16°34.86′E
The anchorage of U. Zukova has good shelter from all but N and NE winds. There are several coves around its shores where a yacht can anchor in 5.0 - 8.0 metres, taking a line ashore if desired. Holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

Luka Vlaska 43°13.5′N, 16°32.88′E
Luka Vlaska is a long inlet, still largely undeveloped, with several coves where a yacht can find good shelter in all but NW winds. Anchor in 4.0 - 6.0 metres wherever there is space. Holding is good in sand and weed. There is a fish farm on the W side of the inlet. No facilities ashore.

U. Glavna 43°13.44′N, 16°32.04′E
U. Glavna offers good shelter in all but N and NW winds and is largely undeveloped. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 6.0 - 8.0 metres, taking a line ashore if possible to bollards on either side. Holding is good in sand and weed, but poor in shingle right at the head. No facilities ashore.

Luka Tiha 43°12.9′N, 16°33.18′E
Luka Tiha is a large and popular anchorage on the N side of the entrance to Starogradski Zaljev, the gulf at the head of which lies the harbour of Stari Grad. Shelter is good in all but SW and S winds. Note that there is dangerous rock about 200 metres off the headland on the W side of the entrance. Anchor in one of the numerous branches, depending on wind direction. Depths for anchoring are mostly 8.0 - 12.0 metres unless you go close in and take a line ashore. Holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

Luka Zavala 43°12.06′N, 16°34.32′E
The anchorage of Luka Zavala is a mile NW of Stari Grad and offers good shelter at the head of the inlet in all but SW winds. Anchor in 8.0 - 10.0 metres, with a line ashore if possible in view of the narrowness of the inlet. Holding is good in sand and weed. Café/bar ashore but no other facilities.

The main anchorages along the N and W coasts of the island from Stari Grad to Hvar Town are as follows:

U. Parja 43°11.52′N, 16°23.82′E
U. Parja lies just over a mile E of Rt Pelegrin, the headland at the extreme W tip of Hvar Island. It offers good shelter in all but N and NE winds. Note that there is a dangerous reef extending for around 200 metres off the headland on the W side of the entrance. The two heads of the inlet are occupied by local boats and moorings, but it is possible to anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres outside the moorings and take a line ashore. The holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

U. Vela Garska 43°10.98′N, 16°24.42′E
U. Vela Garska is a quiet anchorage on the N side of the approaches to Hvar Town offering good shelter in all but S winds. Depths are substantial, but it is possible to tuck into one of the three coves at the head of the inlet in 8.0 - 1.0 metres and take a line ashore. Holding is good in sand and weed. No facilities ashore.

U. Mala Garska 43°10.62′N, 16°25.26′E
U. Mala Garska is a busy anchorage about a mile NW of Hvar Town and offers good shelter in all but W and SW winds. Anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres clear of the numerous moorings in the bay. Holding is good in sand and weed. Large hotel and café/bar ashore.

Offshore Islands

• Scedro
• Korcula
• Brac

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina Vrboska
• Marina Palmizana

Yacht Services and Repairs

Limited repairs at Marina Vrboska.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel berths in Hvar Town (1.8 metre depths) and Vrboska (2.0 metre depths). Water and electricity on quays at Hvar Town, Sucuraj, Jelsa, Vrboska and Stari Grad as well as in both marinas. For details see port entries.

Things to do Ashore

See individual port entries.

Transportation

• Daily ferries to Split from Hvar Town and Stari Grad.
• Seasonal ferries to Dubrovnik from Stari Grad.
• Seasonal ferries from Stari Grad to Ancona, Pescara and Giulianova in Italy.

Routes/Passages To/From

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)

• Croatia Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

• Hvar Tourism website

See Croatia.

References & Publications

See Croatia.

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 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)

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