Mali Lošinj

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Revision as of 14:29, 5 November 2012

Mali Losinj, Croatia

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	44°32.3′N, 14°28.1′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The harbour of Mali Losinj lies on the W coast of the island of Losinj, at the head of a three mile long natural inlet. Entered from its NW end, the inlet provides good protection in winds from any direction, although with a three mile fetch the harbour at its head can be choppy in strong NW winds. The town itself is most attractive, its waterfront lined with the imposing former residences of 19th century sea captains and with a colourful floating vegetable market bobbing at the quay. The town was a popular resort during the days of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the bay of Cikat a mile W of the town is overrun with smart villas and hotels. Yachts are well catered for, with no less than three small marinas in the inlet plus the less desirable option of the low town quay itself. No anchoring is permitted in the inlet, although the bay of U. Artaturi two miles NW offers good shelter in all but S winds.

Charts

British Admiralty 202

Croatian charts MK 8 (Otok Losinj)

Imray M24 (Gulf of Trieste to Losinj and Rab)

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.

Approach and Navigation

The approach to Mali Losinj is through a 500 metre wide channel between the island of O. Koludarc to the S and the headland of Rt. Torunza to the N. Both should be given a good clearance as there are shallows extending for some 50 metres off them. An alternative approach is through a narrow canal, the Prolaz Privlaka, dug through the spit of land that encloses the E side of the inlet a mile NNW of the harbour. Depths in the canal are around 3.0 metres but the width is little over 6.0 metres and passage is therefore only suitable for monohulls of moderate draft. The bridge which carries the road over the canal opens morning and evening (currently 0900 and 1800) to allow passage by yachts. Shelter in Mali Losinj is good in most conditions, although in strong NW winds the harbour at the head of the inlet gets quite choppy. Conditions are unlikely however to be dangerous unless a yacht is alongside the quay on the E side of the harbour.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Mali Losinj is a port of entry. The customs office is immediately S of the canal of Provaz Privlaki.

Berthing options

There are three main options for yachts berthing in Mali Losinj, the marinas of Marina Losinj and Mali Losinj Marina on the NE side of the inlet, a mile NW of the town, and the marina of Yacht Club Marina inside the old harbour at the head of the inlet. It is also possible to go alongside the quay on the NE side of the old harbour, clear of the ferry berth, although the quay is very low here and unsuitable with any chop or swell. Click on link for a map of berthing locations: Map of berthing options in Mali Losinj. For full details of the berthing options, see below.

Offshore Islands and Groups

• Cres
• Unije
• Ilovik

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina Losinj
• Mali Losinj Marina
• Yacht Club Marina

Anchorages

U. Artaturi

44°34.3′N, 14°24.6′E
The closest anchorage to Mali Losinj is in the bay of Uvala Artaturi two miles NW of the entrance to Mali Losinj inlet. The bay offers good shelter in the prevailing winds and is only open to winds from S, in which it may be possible to creep into the inlets on the W side of the bay, although space is tight and it may be necessary to take a line ashore. In all other conditions, anchor in the NE part of the bay in 4.0 - 5.0 metres, where the holding is good in sand. Beware of the rocky spit extending off the village in the centre of the N side of the bay between the anchorage and the small inlets on the W side.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

See marina entries.

Repairs/Yards

See marina entries.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel stations on E side of the harbour at Marina Losinj and SW side 100 metres W of Yacht Club Marina pontoons. Water and electricity at all three marinas.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Mali Losinj is a typical Croatian island town, with narrow mediaeval streets and red-tiled rooftops punctuated by soaring church bell towers. Its quays are mostly lined with the imposing former mansions of 19th century sea captains. The 17th century Church of the Nativity 100 metres SE of the harbour is worth a visit for the impressive artworks contained within. A walk along the sea promenade to St Martin’s Bay half a mile E of the harbour brings you to the Church of St. Martin, with a fine cemetery containing tombs of Italian nobility and local sea captains. The walk along the E side of Losinj island continues to Veli Losinj, the original island settlement, which is dominated by the impressive Baroque church of St. Antun on the harbour. Dozens of sea captains lie buried under the church floor here, their other memorial being the numerous fine villas ringing the harbour. Another half hour’s walk SE around the peninsula is the neighbouring and even smaller harbour of Rovenska. A rather longer walk or cycle ride in the other direction from the harbour takes you to the bay of Čikat along a narrow sea promenade fringed with pine trees. Čikat is a relatively upmarket resort, with several villas formerly owned by Austrian and Italian aristocrats, although the route there is lined with ugly campsites and camper van parks.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Several supermarkets and other provisions shops in the town.
• Floating vegetable market in the harbour.
• Several butchers and bakeries.
• Fish market.

Eateries

• Numerous cafes and restaurants around the harbour and in the town.
• Baracuda restaurant on W side of harbour was good in 2004.

Internet/WiFi

At internet cafes in the town.

Laundry

In the town.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the harbour and in the marinas.

Transportation

• Buses to Cres and Rijeka on mainland and, in season, Zagreb.
• Seasonal ferries to Zadar and Pula.

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?

• If berthing in the harbour, it’s worth trying to get a berth on the leeward (SE) side of the pontoons if there are any strong N winds predicted - they’re a lot more comfortable than on the windward side. --Athene of Lymington 14:29, 5 November 2012 (GMT)

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• May 2005 --Athene of Lymington 17:27, 23 April 2012 (BST)

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