Veli Iz

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Revision as of 13:45, 4 December 2012

Veli Iz, Croatia

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	44°03.21′N, 15°07.1′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The town and harbour of Veli Iz is situated is situated about halfway down the NE side of the island of Iz in Croatia. The small islet of Rutnjak lies half a mile due E of the harbour. A quiet and attractive settlement, it was for many years the centre of a renowned pottery industry, although the craft is now continued by just one family in the town. Every year in late July the town hosts a festival at which a ‘King of Iz’ is elected. The festival reputedly dates back several hundred years. The harbour of Veli Iz is given over almost entirely to yachting tourism, with its conversion into a small 50-berth marina with a wide range of support facilities, including a small repair yard.

Veli Iz harbour from S
Click for larger view

Charts

British Admiralty

2711

515

Croatian charts

MK13

Imray

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.

Approach and Navigation

There are no dangers in the immediate approach to Veli Iz. The islet of Rutnjak can be left on either side. In the approach from S, there is a shoal patch marked with a beacon around 500 metres NW of the islet of Knezak. Depths in the harbour entrance are 6.0 - 7.0 metres and there is a maximum depth of 3.5 metres on the quays.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Zadar is the nearest all-year round port of entry, or Sibenik if arriving from S. During the summer, Sali on Dugi Otok and Primosten on the mainland are also ports of entry.

Berthing options

There are three mooring options for a visiting yacht in Veli Iz:

1. Marina Veli Iz

The quays along the S side of the harbour are operated by Marina Veli Iz and provide around 50 berths for yachts of up to 20 metres in depths up to 2.5 metres. Click on link for details.

2. Veli Iz Town Quay

The quay on the W side of the harbour, next to the church, has depths of 1.5 - 2.0 metres along most of its length. A yacht can moor here bows or stern-to using its anchor; probably bows-to is safer for all but shallow draft yachts. Holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter here is very good in all except strong NE winds, which send in an uncomfortable swell.

3. Veli Iz Harbour

It is possible for one or two yachts to anchor on the NE side of the harbour, clear of the marina moorings and the fairway into the harbour. Depths here are 3.0 - 4.0 metres and the holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter is good in all but NE and E winds.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

See Marina Veli Iz.

Anchorages

See above.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

There is no fuel berth on the island. Water and electricity at the marina berths.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Iz Island was formerly celebrated for its highly decorated pottery, traditionally made in Veli Iz and the smaller settlement of Mali Iz - at one time by nearly 70 families. Today there is just one family in Veli Iz keeping up the tradition, the Petrovic family. There is an ethnographic museum in the town which has several fine examples of Iz pottery and a couple of Romanesque churches. Every year in late July Veli Iz hosts a festival at which a ‘King of Iz’ is elected. The festival reputedly dates back several hundred years.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Two supermarkets in the town.

Eateries

Several good restaurants ashore.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the marina.

Transportation

• Ferries to Zadar on mainland.

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

See Croatia.

References & Publications

See Croatia.

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:

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

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