Velji Lago

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Velji Lago/wiki/Velji_Lago

Velji Lago Port of Entry 42°45.418'N, 016°49.261'E42.75697;16.821012 destination

lat=42.75697 | lon=16.821012 | zoom=13 | y

Yachts on Hotel Solitudo quay

The harbour of Velji Lago is situated at the W end of the island of Lastovo in Croatia. Formerly a military harbour, the quay at the SE end of Velji Lago bay - at the tiny settlement of Ubli - is now the ferry terminal as well as the temporary berth for visiting yachts clearing in or out of the country.

At the N end of the bay is the large Hotel Solitudo, which has developed the adjacent quay for visiting yachts, with around 20 laid moorings, water and electricity. Finally, at the NW corner is a perfectly sheltered cove, formerly used as a naval harbour, which offers a peaceful anchorage in all conditions. Shelter in the harbour is good in all but strong SW winds, when there is an uncomfortable swell, but shelter can be found in these conditions in the NW cove.

The harbour is a good base for a visit to the town of Lastovo, the island's capita, along a hilly road 8 km E.

Charts

See Lastovo

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.

Passages

See Croatia.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Entry to Velji Lago is from the W side of Lastovo Island. There are several islets and shoals to be negotiated in the approach and careful attention to the chart is needed. Approaching from N, the deep channel between Lastovo and Mrcara can be used. Note that there is a shoal patch extending for some 200 metres off the headland at the S entrance to the bay. Depths in the entrance and over most of the bay are over 30 metres until close inshore.

Entrance

The harbour of Ubli at the SE end of Velji Lago is a year round port of entry.

Berthing

There are two main berthing options (plus an anchorage - see below):

Hotel Solitudo

Hotel Solitudo/wiki/Velji_Lago#Hotel_Solitudo

berth Hotel Solitudo [[Velji Lago#Hotel Solitudo|Hotel Solitudo]] 42°45.895'N, 016°49.354'EHotel Solitudo42.76491;16.82257

At the hamlet of Pasadur at the N end of the bay, opposite the small islet of O. Makarac, lies the large and conspicuous Hotel Solitudo. The hotel is a short distance E of the road bridge that crosses the shallow channel separating the bay from the inlet of Mali Lago to the N. The quay in front of the hotel has been developed for visiting yachts and has around 20 mooring lines in depths of around 2.0 metres. There are water and electricity points along the quay. Shelter here is good in most conditions, although strong S winds cause an uncomfortable swell and you will need to be well pulled off the quay to avoid damage (especially if your draft is much over 1.5 metres). In these conditions, you are better off in the anchorage (see below). The hotel provides toilets, restaurant, café/bar, sauna/jacuzzi and fitness centre.

Ubli

Ubli/wiki/Velji_Lago#Ubli

berth Ubli [[Velji Lago#Ubli|Ubli]] 42°44.744'N, 016°49.459'EUbli42.74573;16.82431

At the settlement of Ubli at the SE end of the bay is a quay where a yacht can lie alongside temporarily while clearing in at the adjacent customs and immigration building. Depths on the quay are 4.0 - 5.0 metres. Note that the ferries from Split and Dubrovnik use this quay as well as commercial vessels, so yachts are not allowed to linger here any longer than necessary to clear in or out.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Jurjeva luka

Jurjeva luka/wiki/Velji_Lago#Jurjeva_luka

anchorage Jurjeva luka [[Velji Lago#Jurjeva luka|Jurjeva luka]] 42°45.853'N, 016°48.722'EJurjeva luka42.76422;16.81204

At the NW end of the bay is a small and perfectly sheltered cove which was formerly used as a naval base. It is possible to anchor here in complete seclusion (except for other yachts, of course) in depths of 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in mud, although some yachts have reported the ground is foul in parts with discarded remnants of the military occupation. If there is space, it is also possible to lie alongside the short quay on the N side of the entrance. Shelter in the inlet is good from all directions and very little swell enters even in strong winds..

Amenities

Facilities
Water	at the Hotel Solitudo quay
Electricity	at the Hotel Solitudo quay
Toilets	None
Showers	None
Laundry	None
Garbage	Bins on the quays
Supplies
Fuel	INA station/wiki/Velji_Lago#INA_stationfuel INA station [[Velji Lago#INA station|INA station]] 42°44.658'N, 016°49.486'EINA station42.7443;16.82476 at the Ubli quay of at SE end of bay (0600 - 2200)
Bottled gas	None
Chandlers	None
Services
Repairs	None
Internet	Wifi in Hotel Solitudo.
Mobile connectivity
Vehicle rentals	None
Health

Provisioning

Minimarket in Hotel Solitudo and small grocery store in Ubli.

Eating out

Several restaurants and café/bars ashore.

Transportation

• Regular ferries to Split on mainland from Ubli quay.
• Seasonal high speed catamaran to Dubrovnik.
• Buses from Ubli to Lastovo Town.

Tourism

Lastovo Town in its natural amphitheatre

Lastovo’s unique Poklad festival

There are good walks from the Hotel Solitudo N along the W side of the beautiful inlet of Mali Lago to the N of the bay. Lastovo Town, a short taxi or bus ride away, is an atmospheric place, with narrow alleys lined with old stone houses climbing up the steep slopes of a natural amphitheatre. Practically every square metre that is not built on is cultivated and the village is enveloped with vineyards and vegetable plots. The main 16th century church of Sts Cosman and Damien is well worth a visit and is filled with paintings and artifacts.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Croatia Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

Links

• Hotel Solitudo website
• Lastovo Tourism website
• Augusta Insula Restaurant website

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 Velji Lago and this page's details validated:

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

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington