Rab Town
From CruisersWiki
Rab Town, Croatia
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The harbour of Rab Town lies on the SW coast of Rab Island in an inlet protected from the S by the long island of O. Dolin and from the N by the headland of Rt. Frkanj. A historic and attractive town, with numerous ancient churches and mediaeval bell towers, it benefits from a beautiful setting on the more verdant, south-westerly coast of the island and is thus a popular tourist destination. Its large harbour is occupied by a 147-berth marina Marina Rab operated by the government owned ACI group. Off the west side of the town is the sheltered anchorage of Uv. Sv. Fumija, one of the loveliest along the Dalmatian Coast.
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Charts
British Admiralty 202
Croatian charts MK 7 (Krk - Rab)
Imray M24 (Gulf of Trieste to Losinj and Rab) M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)
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.
The approach is through a mile-wide gap between the long island of O. Dolin to the S and the headland of Rt. Frkanj to the N. A shoal marked with a light pillar, Plicina Frkanj, lies around 400 metres SE of Rt Frkanj and a second shoal, Plicina Vela Sika, a further 500 metres SE. The best approach is on a course half way between Rt Frkanj and Plicina Frkanj, giving the former a good clearance as there is shoal water around it. The harbour itself is entered round the S end of the peninsula on which the town sits. An islet 500 metres SE is joined to the mainland by a long breakwater, giving the harbour some protection from S winds. The harbour is safe in most conditions, although strong S winds cause an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous surge. For this reason, the marina in the harbour opens only from 15 April to 1 November.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Rab Town is not a port of entry. The nearest port of entry is Mali Losinj on the island of Losinj.
Berthing options
The only berthing option in the harbour is the ACI marina, Marina Rab. An alternative is the anchorage of Uv. Sv. Fumija just W of the town.
Offshore Islands and Groups
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
The inlet of U Sv. Fumija extends for nearly a mile NW between the headland of Rt Frkanj and the town of Rab. The inlet offers good shelter in all but strong SE winds. Anchor wherever the depths are convenient. Depths in the inlet range from 3.0 metres at the head to 15 metres off the town. Holding is excellent in sand and mud.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
See Marina Rab.
Repairs/Yards
See Marina Rab.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on E side of the harbour (although depths are barely 2.5 metres). Water and electricity on the pontoons.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Rab Town, like most of the Croatian island capitals, is an attractive mediaeval town, with narrow streets and red-tiled rooftops punctuated by soaring church bell towers, and is well worth visiting for its churches dating back to the 12th century and 15th century Dominis Palace. The views from the 13th century bell tower of the cathedral of St Mary the Great next to the ruined 7th century church of St John are superb. The Komrčar Park at the NW end of the old town is an excellent place for a picnic in the summer, with stone picnic tables under pines bent low by the winter bora.
 Rooftops and belltowers of Rab Town |
 Berthing in Rab Town marina |
 Picnic in Komrčar Park |
 Cathedral of St Mary the Great |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Supermarket and good provisions shops in the town.
Eateries
- Numerous cafes and restaurants around the harbour and in the town.
Internet/WiFi
In the marina.
Laundry
In the town.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins around the marina.
Transportation
- Buses to Rijeka on mainland and, in season, Zagreb.
- Ferries to mainland from Misnjak at SE end of island.
- Seasonal ferries from Lopar to Baska on Krk Island.
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?
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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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Croatia | Rab | Rab Town | |
