Korčula

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Korcula Island, Croatia

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

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	42°56.58′N, 16°53.04′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Korcula Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia, 10 miles N of the smaller island of Lastovo and 12 miles S of the island of Hvar. At its easternmost point, at the settlement of Korcula Town, it is only just over a mile from the Peljesac Peninsula on the mainland, which stretches for 65 km from the settlement of Ston at its base to Cape Lovista at its head. Korcula itself stretches E-W for 47 kms, but is no more than eight kms wide at its widest point. Like Brac to the north, Korcula was an important source of quarried stone during the long period of Venetian rule and also had a flourishing shipbuilding industry. Today the island’s prosperity is largely due to wine and olive oil production and - naturally - tourism. In addition to the main harbour and island capital of Korcula Town, which hosts an ACI-operated marina, there are a total of nine other smaller harbours around the coasts of the island and some 12 anchorages along its deeply indented S and E coasts.

Korcula town and marina from SE
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The small marina at Lumbarda on the NE coast
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Franciscan monastery on O. Badija
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Charts

British Admiralty

1574

683

Croatian charts

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)

Korcula Town is a year round port of entry.

Berthing options

There are a total of 22 principal berthing options on the island, the main harbour of Korcula Town, then anti-clockwise round the island, the harbours of Luka Racisce, Prigradica, Vela Luka, Grscica, Prizba Mali, Brna, Zavalatica and Tatinja, with marinas of Marina Korcula in Korcula Town and Marina Lumbarda in Lumbarda, plus a number of anchorages along the island’s deeply indented S and E coasts.

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

Ports

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

• Korcula Town,
• Luka Racisce
• Prigradica
• Vela Luka
• Grscica
• Prizba Mali
• Brna
• Zavalatica
• Tatinja

Anchorages

The main anchorages along the N coast of the island from Korcula Town to Vela Luka are as follows:

U. Banja 42°57.62′N, 17°07.21′E
The bay of U. Banja is situated a mile W of Korcula Town and offers good shelter in the coves around its shores in all but N winds. It is possible, however, to get partial shelter from N winds if tucked into the NE corner of the bay. Anchor in a suitable spot, depending on wind direction, in 6.0 - 10 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. There is a small minimarket at the SW corner of the bay and a café/bar at the NE corner.

U. Vrbovica 42°57.79′N, 17°06.31′E
U. Vrbovica is the next inlet W from U. Banja and offers similarly good shelter in all but N or NE winds. Note that there is a dangerous rock, marked with a beacon, off the headland on the E side of the entrance. Anchor in the cove on the W side of the bay or or either of the two coves at the head of the inlet in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is moderate to good in sand, shingle and weed. No facilities ashore.

U. Kneza 42°58.52′N, 17°03.04′E
The anchorage of U. Kneza lies three miles W of U. Vrbovica in a bay partially sheltered from E by the islet of Mala Kneza. The anchorage should be approached from SE as the channel between Mala Kneza and Korcula Island has least depths of barely a metre. Anchor in 5.0 - 6.0 metres W of Mala Kneza island. The holding is good in sand, mud and weed. Shelter is good in all conditions but strong SE winds. There is a small provisions shop and a restaurant ashore.

U. Prihonja 42°59.32′N, 16°42.22′E
U. Prihonja is situated on the N side of the peninsula at the NW corner of Korcula Island, three miles E of the islet of Proizd at its extremity. A prominent red and white daymark on the headland W of the entrance is a good guide. The bay offers good shelter in all but N and NE winds. Anchor in the cove at the SW end of the inlet in 6.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. There are no facilities ashore.

U. Sveti Ivan 42°59.32′N, 16°42.22′E
U. Sv. Ivan is a cosy little bay on the N side of the approach to Vela Luka at the W end of Korcula Island. The bay is sheltered from S by the islet of Sveti Ivan, on which there is a church dedicated to the eponymous saint, and partially from W by the tiny islet of O. Gubesa. Entry is from W on either side of O. Gubesa. There depths of 7.0 - 8.0 metres in the entrance and 5.0 - 6.0 metres in the bay. The holding is good in sand. On the E side of the bay is a restaurant with mooring buoys for patrons. Shelter in the bay is good in N and E winds but it is exposed to winds from W and SW.

The main anchorages along the W and S coasts of the island from Vela Luka to Rt. Raznjic at the extreme SE tip of the island are as follows:

U. Poplat 42°56.62′N, 16°40.38′E
U. Poplat is the first inlet to the S of the bay of Vela Luka. The bay offers reasonable shelter in settled conditions but is exposed in winds from NW and W, so an unpleasant swell can sometimes develop with fresh sea breezes. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. There are no facilities ashore.

U. Triluke 42°55.51′N, 16°40.32′E
U. Triluke, as its name suggests, is a triple-branched anchorage immediately E of the SW tip of Korcula Island. The bay is partially protected from S by a small chain of islets. Entry is from either side of the westernmost of the islets, O. Trstenik. Anchor in any one of the bays in 4.0 - 5.0 metres, taking a line ashore if preferred. Holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good is all but S winds, when the shallow bay between the two islets of Mali and Veli Prznjak offers better shelter. No facilities ashore.

U. Zvirinovik 42°54.54′N, 16°44.10′E
The anchorage of U. Zvirinovik lies on the N side of the small island of the same name, two miles ESE of U. Triluke. There are a number of islets and shoals in the approaches and care is needed. The anchorage offers good shelter in moderate winds and is a useful option if caught in S winds along this coast. Anchor in 8.0 - 10.0 metres and take a line ashore to the island. Holding is good in sand and weed.

U. Przina 42°54.82′N, 17°11.41′E
The bay of U. Przina lies immediately W of the extreme SE tip of Korcula Island, on the S side of the headland of Rt. Raznjic. It affords reasonable shelter in all but southerly winds but can get uncomfortable in strong N and E winds in view of its rather exposed position. Anchor at the head of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand.

The main anchorages from Rt. Raznjic along the E coast of the island to Korcula Town are as follows:

U. Racisce 42°55.72′N, 17°10.11′E
The inlet of U. Racisce (easily confused with the harbour of the same name on the N coast) lies on the NE coast of the island, protected from N and NE by the islet of O. Vrnik. The inlet offers good shelter in all but strong E or SE winds. The approach from all directions needs care, in view of the numerous islets and shoals off the coast. A good chart is essential. The inlet is relatively built up and there are a number of moorings in the bay, but it is possible to anchor clear of them in 4.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is good in mud. Note that there is a cable on the seabed across the entrance. There is a restaurant ashore.

O. Badija 42°56.94′N, 17°09.66′E
The small island of O. Badija is situated off the NE coast of Korcula Island, a mile ESE of Korcula Town. The island is surrounded by shoals and rocks and the safest approach from N is via the channel between O. Badija and Korcula Island and from S via the channel between O. Vrnik and Korcula Island. Both these channels have depths of 5.0 metres. There is a snug and very attractive anchorage on the S side of the island, opposite the large Franciscan monastery. Shelter here is excellent in virtually all wind conditions. Anchor in 5.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed.

U. Luka 42°57.18′N, 17°08.71′E
U. Luka is a popular anchorage in a long inlet immediately S of Korcula Town. It is close enough to walk into the town and is therefore a much cheaper alternative to Marina Korcula. In the approach from E, note the shoal patch around 400 metres NE of the headland on the E side of the inlet. Anchor wherever you can find space. In the outer part (N of the tiny islet) anchor in 10 - 12 metres, being careful to avoid the pipeline that runs along the W side. In the inner part (S of the islet) anchor in 5.0 metres. Be sure to pass W of the islet (5.0 metres) and not E (1.0 metre). Alternatively, there may be space for a smaller yacht to moor stern or bows-to using the anchor on the short quay on the W side opposite the islet, where depths are 2.0 - 2.5 metres. Holding throughout the inlet is excellent in mud. Shelter is good in all but very strong N winds. There are restaurants and café/bars ashore.

Offshore Islands

• Lastovo
• Hvar
• Vis

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina Korcula
• Marina Lumbarda

Yacht Services and Repairs

Most simple repairs at Marina Korcula.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel berth SE of Korcula Town, opposite Badija island, and in Vela Luka. Water and electricity in marinas. For details see marina and port entries.

Things to do Ashore

See individual port entries.

Transportation

• Regular ferries to Orebic on mainland from Korcula Town.
• Ferries from Korcula Town to Split and Dubrovnik.
• Ferries from Vela Luka to Split.
• Twice weekly ferries from Korcula Town to Ancona in Italy.
• Daily buses to Dubrovnik and Zagreb.

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

• Korcula Tourism website

Also 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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