Lopud

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Revision as of 21:32, 6 July 2015

Lopud/wiki/Lopud

Lopud 42°41.16′N, 17°56.83′E42.686;17.947166666667 destination

The wide bay of U. Lopud - Click for larger view

Lopud Island is the second southernmost of a chain of small islands lying barely two miles off the coast of Croatia. Known as the Elafiti Islands (from the Greek word elaphos, meaning deer, with which the islands were presumably formerly populated), the chain is mostly heavily forested and unspoilt. Several of the islands are popular day trip destinations for holidaymakers staying in Dubrovnik, but visiting yachts using the various anchorages around the islands can usually escape the worst of the crowds (especially outside the peak months of July and August) and even the busier anchorages quieten down at night when the tripper boats go home. Lopud Island is around four miles WNW of the port of Dubrovnik, and is a popular summer beach destination for day trippers. It offers two attractive anchorages in settled weather on its NW and SE sides, U. Lopud and U. Sunj.

Charts

British Admiralty

1580

683

Croatian charts

MK25

MK26

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.

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)

Dubrovnik is the nearest year-round port of entry.

Berthing Options

There are two principal berthing options on the island, the anchorages of U. Lopud on the NW coast of the island and U. Sunj on the SE coast.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

U. Lopud

Tripper boats use the jetty at U. Lopud - Click for larger view

Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
The village and wide bay of U. Lopud are situated on the NW coast of the island, protected from SW by a long, wooded peninsula. There are no dangers in the immediate approach, although note if approaching from N that there is a reef around 200 metres off the headland at the N end of Lopud island. The village and associated tourist infrastructure are spread along the E side of the bay, together with several stone jetties used by ferries and small leisure craft. Anchor anywhere along the shore in 6.0 - 8.0 metres, clear of the jetties at the N and S ends used by the ferries and tripper boats. The holding is good in sand, mud and weed. Shelter in the bay is good in winds from E and S but poor in winds from W round to N. Restaurants, café/bars and some provisions shops ashore.

U. Sunj

Rocks fringe the approach to U. Sunj - Click for larger view

Yacht anchored in U. Sunj - Click for larger view

Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
U. Sunje lies on the SE coast of the island, facing the nearby island of Kolocep a mile to the E. There is little ashore but a café open during the season and a good sandy beach. Attention is needed in the approach to the string of rocky islets extending for 60-0 metres SE from the southern headland of the bay and a shoal patch 200 metres off the W end of Kolocep island. Anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres at the head of the bay, staying clear of the N side, where there are rocks close inshore. Holding is good in sand. During the summer, the beach at the head is popular and buoyed off for swimming. Shelter in the anchorage is adequate in settled weather, but the bay is exposed in winds from S round to E.

Offshore Islands

• Kolocep
• Sipan

Yacht Services and Repairs

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None.

Things to do Ashore

There are a few fortifications around the island which remain from the days of piracy in the 16th century and some villas formerly owned by wealthy Dubrovnik families, but little else.

Transportation

Ferries to Dubrovnik from U. Lopud.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Croatia.

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

• Lopud at the Wikipedia

For other useful websites, 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:

• June 2004 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington