Povlja

From CruisersWiki

The village and harbour of Povlja lie on the NE coast of the island of Brac in Croatia, in the easternmost cove of a wide, multi-branched inlet five miles W of the harbour of Baska Voda on the mainland. The inlet was evidently a popular anchorage during the Roman era, since numerous amphorae have been discovered on the sea bed.

For cruising yachts the harbour offers a good sheltered berth in all but strong N winds, when there are alternative anchorages nearby which offer better protection.

Charts

British Admiralty	2712, 1574
Croatian	MK18, MK20
Imray	M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)

Weather

See Croatia.

Passages

See Croatia.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

The immediate approach to Povlja has no dangers as long as the headland at the E side of the bay, on which the light tower sits (Rt Povlja), is given a good clearance. The light tower is a good landmark when approaching from any direction. The inlet of Povla is the easternmost of a series which a yacht will see on passing through the half mile wide entrance to the bay. The harbour lies at the top of this E inlet, half a mile from Rt. Povlja. Depths in the harbour range from 8.0 - 10 metres in the middle to 2.5 - 3.0 metres along the quay. Depths in the inner harbour shoal from 2.5 metres to a metre or less.

Entrance

Split is the nearest all-year round port of entry. During the summer, Hvar, Vis and, if arriving from N, Primosten on the mainland are also ports of entry.

Berthing

There is really just one option for yachts visiting Povlja harbour (other than anchoring), which is the long quay on the E side of the inlet. This quay extends for around 300 metres N from a short jetty separating the inner and outer harbours. Yachts can go alongside here wherever there is space, usually on the first 50 metres or so going N from the jetty as far as the Café Jadran. The quay N of the Café Jadran is occupied by small craft laid moorings and fishing boats moored alongside. Depths are only 2.5 – 3.0 metres along this quay but over 4.0 metres further out, so deeper draft yachts should do an anchor moor. The holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter is good in all but N and NW winds. With anything much over 10-12 knots of N winds, an unpleasant popple develops in the harbour, which becomes untenable with N winds of over 25 knots.

The quays around the inner harbour, S of the short jetty, are filled with small leisure craft on laid moorings, mostly in depths of little more than a metre. The jetty itself is usually occupied by large fishing boats moored alongside, but may offer a temporary berth if they are out of the harbour.

Anchorages

A quiet and pleasant anchorage is the centre of the inlet, where a yacht can lie in 6.0 - 8.0 metres with easy access to the shore. Holding is good in sand and mud.

An alternative anchorage, which offers better shelter with any N winds, can be found at U. Luka, the westernmost inlet in the bay, two miles W of Povlja.

See Brac Island page for details.

Amenities

Facilities
Water	on the E quay (widely spaced)
Electricity	see above
Toilets	None
Showers	None
Laundry	None
Garbage	Near the waterfront
Supplies
Fuel	None
Bottled gas	None
Chandlers	None
Services
Repairs	None
Internet	From Café Jadran
Mobile connectivity
Vehicle rentals	None
Health

Provisioning

Two supermarkets and butcher in the village.

Eating out

Two restaurants and two café/bars ashore.

Transportation

• Twice daily ferries to Makarska on mainland.
• Buses to Supetar and other local destinations

Tourism

Povlja’s main attraction, apart from its location and setting, is the remains of a 5th - 6th century Christian basilica. Its octagonal baptistery with a cupola is the only one preserved in Croatia. It now forms part of the parish church, which also contains some partially preserved frescoes from the same period. The baptistery was converted into a church by the Benedictines in the 12th century and naves and chapels added during the 18th and 19th centuries. Parts of the mediaeval Benedictine monastery have also been preserved near the church.

Links

• Povlja at the Wikipedia
• Brac Tourism

Also see Croatia.

References

See Croatia.

Comments

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 Povlja and this page's details validated:

• July 2014 --Athene of Lymington

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Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington