Ravni Žakan and Kameni Žakan
From CruisersWiki
Zakan Island, Croatia
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Zakan Island in Croatia
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 | Local chartlet |
Zakan consists of a pair of islands, Ravni Zakan and Kameni Zakan, lying off the SE tip of the island of Kornat in the Kornati Islands group of Croatia. The two islands are separated from Kornat by the mile-wide channel of the Kornatski Kanal. Two miles to the E is the island of Vela Smokvica with a further anchorage. Ravni Zakan offers two anchorages, offering good shelter in N and S winds respectively, whereas Kameni Zakan has just one settled weather anchorage off its W coast. As part of the Kornati National Park, a daily permit is required to visit the islands. Ashore, there is a visitor centre of the Kornati National Park and two restaurants on Ravni Zakan but no facilities on Kameni Zakan. Both islands are largely uninhabited except for the restaurant and national park staff during the season.
Click for larger view
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Charts
British Admiralty 2711
Croatian charts MK14
Imray M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)
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)
Zadar and Sibenik are the nearest all-year ports of entry. In summer only, Bozava and Sali on Dugi Otok are also ports of entry.
Berthing options
There are two berthing options on Ravni Zakan Island, on the N and S sides of the island, plus a third option just W of the island of Kameni Zanak, in the channel between it and the islet of Jancar. For full details see below or, for a zoomable summary map of all the anchorages in the Kornati Islands, click on: Map of marinas and anchorages in Kornati Islands.
1. Ravni Zakan 1 43°43.56′N, 15°25.92′E
The anchorage designated as Ravni Zakan 1 is on the S side of the island, protected to some extent by the islets of Kameni Zakan and Jancar a few hundred meters S. There are no dangers in the approach, although in the approach from S beware of the reefs half a mile SW of Kameni Zakan. Depths in the outer part of the anchorage are 12 metres, shoaling gradually towards the head to around 4.0 metres. At the head of the bay is the Restaurant Ravni Zakan, which has a jetty with laid moorings and recently installed water and electricity on the jetty. The jetty is very busy in summer. Also ashore here is a visitors centre for the Kornati National Park where daily permits can be purchased if you have not already done so prior to arrival. There are also some (free) mooring buoys in the bay which can be picked up if you do not wish to eat in the restaurant. Finally, it is possible to free anchor in 9.0 - 10.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter in the bay is good in all conditions except strong S winds.
2. Ravni Zakan 2 43°43.68′N, 15°25.8′E
The anchorage of Ravni Zakan 2 is on the N side of the island, separated from the S anchorage by a low isthmus. This anchorage offers better protection than the other in southerly winds, but is completely open NW and, to some extent, W. Anchor in 8.0 - 10.0 metres, with a line ashore if possible. The holding is good in sand. There is a restaurant ashore during the season.
3. Kameni Zakan 43°43.14′N, 15°26.04′E
The anchorage of Kameni Zakan is situated half a mile S of Ravni Zakan, in the channel between Kameni Zakan and the adjacent islet of Jancar. The anchorage here is best in settled weather, since it is exposed to an extent to winds from all directions except E. Anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres in the channel. The holding is good in sand.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None, but the marina of Marina Piskera lies five miles to the NW.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
No fuel, water or electricity.
Offshore Islands
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
There are no permanent settlements on either of the Zakan islands, the few cottages being occupied seasonally by fishermen or other owners from the mainland or adjoining islands. Most of the summer residents consists of the restaurant owners, the national park staff and their families. There are no restrictions on walking ashore, but bear in mind that most of the land is private property.
Grocery & Supply Stores
None.
Eateries
See entries for anchorages.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Transportation
None.
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
- Kornati National Park
- List of all Croatian marinas
- List of government-owned ACI marinas
- Croatian National Tourist Board
- Find Croatia travel guide
- Wikipedia - Croatia
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
- Adriatic Pilot (Imray) - Trevor & Dinah Thompson 6th edition 2012
- 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:
- July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Southern Europe | Mediterranean | Adriatic Sea | Croatia | Zakan | |
