Vela Luka

From CruisersWiki

Vela Luka/wiki/Vela_Luka

Vela Luka Port of Entry 42°57.730'N, 016°42.064'E42.95833;16.71553 destination

lat=42.96216 | lon=16.70106 | zoom=13 | y

Vela Luka harbour from SW

The harbour of Vela Luka lies at the head of a deep inlet at the W end of the island of Korcula in Croatia, around four miles ESE of the islet of Proizd at the extreme W tip. Vela Luka is the second largest settlement on the island after Korcula Town and is the main ferry port for car and passenger ferries to and from Split on the mainland.

Owing to its sheltered position and excellent natural harbour, Vela Luka has always been the main fishing harbour on the island, a position which it still retains even though the quays are increasingly populated by tripper boats and visiting yachts. The town is commercial rather than picturesque, but its position at the W end of the island makes it a convenient overnight or provisioning stop when on passage through the islands.

Charts

Weather

See Croatia.

Communication

Županijska lučka uprava Vela Luka

VHF: 09

Phone: +385 20 813 520

Fax: +385 20 813 526

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.zluvl.hr/

Address: Ulica 58 br. 15, 20270 Vela Luka - Hrvatska

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

There are no dangers in the immediate approach to Vela Luka. However the shoals around the headland have depths of only 6.0 metres. The islet of Osjak on the S side of the bay can be left on either side. Once nearing the head of the inlet, the long ferry jetty with a red light structure on it is conspicuous on the S shore.

Entrance

Vela Luka is a year-round port of entry. Customs and Immigration offices are at the E end of the harbour, close to the town quay.

Berthing

The quay at Vela Luka is busy in summer

Town quay

Town quay/wiki/Vela_Luka#Town_quay

berth Town quay [[Vela Luka#Town quay|Town quay]] 42°57.733'N, 016°42.923'ETown quay42.96222;16.71539

Visiting yachts normally berth on the town quay at the E end of the harbour, 500 metres past the ferry jetty on the S shore, just before the inlet turns N and narrows significantly. There is space here for around 25 yachts berthed stern or bows-to. There are two laid lines per berth. Depths are 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Cost for the quay for 15 metres was 300 kuna (May 2015).

Anchorages

Harbor buoys

Harbor buoys/wiki/Vela_Luka#Harbor_buoys

buoy Harbor buoys [[Vela Luka#Harbor buoys|Harbor buoys]] 42°57.622'N, 016°42.743'EHarbor buoys42.96037;16.71238

There are mooring buoys to the right of the fuel dock. Cost for a mooring buoy 150 kunas in May 2013. If you use a mooring buoy you are allowed to then go to the quay to fill up with water. Shelter here is good in all conditions except strong W winds, which send in an uncomfortable swell.

U. Plitvine

U. Plitvine/wiki/Vela_Luka#U._Plitvine

anchorage U. Plitvine [[Vela Luka#U. Plitvine|U. Plitvine]] 42°58.006'N, 016°42.080'EU. Plitvine42.96676;16.70134

There is a good anchorage in the wide cove on the NW side of the harbour approaches, U. Plitvine, where it is possible to find shelter in all conditions except strong SW winds. It is more comfortable at anchor here than on the town quay in W winds. Anchor in 8.0 - 9.0 metres at the head of the cove, taking a line ashore if necessary. Holding is good in sand and weed.

A smaller yacht may be able to anchor right at the top of Vela Luka inlet, in the part that turns N after the town quay. However, while depths are 2.0 - 4.0 metres the inlet is very narrow here and there is little room to swing, since there are small boats on moorings all the way round. It is only really comfortable anchored fore and aft and even then you may get some disapproving glances from local boat users.

Amenities

Facilities
Water	on town quay and at fuel berth
Electricity	on town quay
Toilets
Showers
Laundry	None
Garbage	Bins near the town quay
Supplies
Fuel	INA/wiki/Vela_Luka#INAfuel INA [[Vela Luka#INA|INA]] 42°57.708'N, 016°42.882'EINA42.9618;16.7147 Fuel berth just W of town quay (0600 - 2200)
Bottled gas
Chandlers
Services
Repairs
Internet	In internet cafes
Mobile connectivity
Vehicle rentals	Rental outlets in the town
Health

Provisioning

Supermarkets and other provisions shops in the town. Fruit and vegetable market.

Eating out

Several restaurants and café/bars.

Transportation

• Ferries to Split and neighbouring islands.
• Local buses to Korcula Town.

Tourism

While the town is not unpleasant, Vela Luka lacks the attractions of its neighbour at the other end of the island, Korcula Town and is best regarded as an overnight or provisioning stop. There is a cave, Vela Spila, on a hill above the town where Neolithic remains have been found. These and other exhibits are preserved in the town’s museum.

Links

• Vela Luka at the Wikipedia
• Vela Luka Tourist Board

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 Vela Luka and this page's details validated:

• August 2005 --Athene of Lymington
• May 2015 --Zebahdy of London

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington, Zebahdy of London