The harbour of the town of Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
Hvar is an island which 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 Brač to the N and Korčula 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 the 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 archipelago, which constitute a mini cruising ground in their own right.
There are numerous anchorages both on Hvar Island itself and in the nearby Pakleni Islands, of which 18 are detailed here and eight on the Pakleni archipelago page.
The main anchorages along the S coast of the island from the town of Hvar to Sucuraj are as follows
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. The shelter is good except with anything S in the wind.
U. Zub od Zaraća
U. Zub od Zaraća/wiki/Hvar#U._Zub_od_Zara.C4.87a
anchorageU. Zub od Zaraća [[Hvar#U. Zub od Zaraća|U. Zub od Zaraća]] 43°08.983'N, 016°30.870'EU. Zub od Zaraća43.14972;16.5145
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. The shelter is good except in S or SE winds.
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 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, 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 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 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.
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.
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. The shelter is good in all but N and NE winds. No facilities ashore.
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.
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 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 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 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. The 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.
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 the town of Hvar are as follows
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 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 Garška
U. Mala Garška/wiki/Hvar#U._Mala_Gar.C5.A1ka
anchorageU. Mala Garška [[Hvar#U. Mala Garška|U. Mala Garška]] 43°10.666'N, 016°25.372'EU. Mala Garška43.17776;16.42286
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.
INA in Hvar town/wiki/Hvar#INA_in_.5B.5BHvar_.28town.29.7CHvar_town.5D.5DfuelINA in Hvar town [[Hvar#INA in Hvar town|INA in Hvar town]] 43°09.975'N, 016°26.696'EINA in Hvar town43.16625;16.44494 Fuel berth in a small inlet on E side of bay 500 metres S of harbour (0600 - 2200). Depths of only 1.8 metres alongside
Konzum/wiki/Hvar#.27.27Konzum.27.27provisionsKonzum [[Hvar#Konzum|Konzum]] 43°10.364'N, 016°26.633'EKonzum43.17273;16.44389 a supermarket next to the main square, behind the bus station (on Su until 13:00)
Tommy/wiki/Hvar#.27.27Tommy.27.27provisionsTommy [[Hvar#Tommy|Tommy]] 43°09.986'N, 016°26.825'ETommy43.16643;16.44708 a supermarket on S from the W quay, close to the fuel station
In the town/wiki/Hvar#In_the_townprovisionsIn the town [[Hvar#In the town|In the town]] Several butchers and other provisions shops in the town. Fruit and vegetable market. Fish market.
Tommy hypermarket/wiki/Hvar#Tommy_hypermarketprovisionsTommy hypermarket [[Hvar#Tommy hypermarket|Tommy hypermarket]] 43°10.785'N, 016°34.575'ETommy hypermarket43.17975;16.57625 and retail complex half a mile W of yacht quay. This is also a good place for kitchen and tableware, adults and children's clothes, footwear and even some electronics and computer items (upstairs)
In the Town/wiki/Hvar#In_the_TownprovisionsIn the Town [[Hvar#In the Town|In the Town]] Several provisions shops, butchers, and bakers. Fruit and vegetable market behind tourist information office. Fish market.
Konzum/wiki/Hvar#KonzumprovisionsKonzum [[Hvar#Konzum|Konzum]] 43°09.718'N, 016°41.358'EKonzum43.16197;16.6893 a supermarket next to the bus station
Ribola/wiki/Hvar#RibolaprovisionsRibola [[Hvar#Ribola|Ribola]] 43°09.718'N, 016°41.341'ERibola43.16196;16.68901 yet another supermarket at the same location
In the Town/wiki/Hvar#In_the_TownprovisionsIn the Town [[Hvar#In the Town|In the Town]] Supermarket, butchers and other provisions shops in the town. Fruit and vegetable market.
In the Village/wiki/Hvar#In_the_VillageprovisionsIn the Village [[Hvar#In the Village|In the Village]] a minimarket next to the church in the village uphill.
E branch of the inlet/wiki/Hvar#E_branch_of_the_inleteatingoutE branch of the inlet [[Hvar#E branch of the inlet|E branch of the inlet]] Hotel and restaurant.
Bilo Idro/wiki/Hvar#.27.27Bilo_Idro.27.27eatingoutBilo Idro [[Hvar#Bilo Idro|Bilo Idro]] restaurant – located right at the harbour. Like the breakwater moorings it is run by the Zlatan otok winery.
Restaurant Tamaris/wiki/Hvar#.27.27Restaurant_Tamaris.27.27eatingoutRestaurant Tamaris [[Hvar#Restaurant Tamaris|Restaurant Tamaris]] further W along the shore.
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Hvar and this page's details validated:
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.