Vela Smokvica

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 21:12, 15 June 2015

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Vela Smokvica Island in Croatia.

Vela Smokvica/wiki/Vela_Smokvica

Vela Smokvica 43°43.67′N, 15°28.54′E43.727833333333;15.475666666667 destination

The inlet of U. Lojena from N' - Click for larger view

Vela Smokvica island lies just half a mile SE of the SE tip of the island of Kornat in the Kornati Islands group of Croatia. Nearby alternative anchorages include Zakan and Opat on Kornat. The island has just one anchorage, the inlet of U. Lojena on the S side of the island, which offers protection from all wind except southerlies. The anchorage is popular in the summer as it is the first a yacht arrives at in the approach to the Kornati Islands from S. As part of the Kornati National Park, a daily permit is required to visit the island. Ashore, there are two restaurants with jetties but no other facilities.

Charts

British Admiralty

2711

Croatian charts

MK14

MK15

Imray

M25 (Otok Rab to Sibenik)

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

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 is only one berthing option on the island, the inlet of U. Lojena on the S side. 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.

Ports

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None, but the marina of Marina Piskera lies seven miles to the NW.

Anchorages

U. Lojena

Restaurant jetties in U. Lojena - Click for larger view

Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
U. Lojena is located on the S side of the island, in an inlet protected from all directions except S. At the head of the inlet are two restaurants with jetties, both of which have suitable depths for a yacht (but if yours has a larger draft, prefer the outer jetty). The jetties are equipped with laid moorings and concrete bollards for taking lines. Depths are 3.0 - 4.0 metres. There are also a few buoys. Alternatively, anchor in the inlet in 6.0 - 8.0 metres, taking a line ashore if possible. Holding is good in sand and weed. U. Lojena is completely open S and should be evacuated if strong winds from this direction are forecast.

One of the restaurants has an amusing collection of ceramics on sale.

Offshore Islands

• Kornat

Yacht Services and Repairs

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

No fuel, water or electricity.

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 U. Lojena.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Garbage Disposal

None. Take it with you.

Transportation

None.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Croatia.

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)

• Croatia Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

• Vela Smokvica at the Wikipedia
• 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

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:

• July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)
• June 2013 --Dimrub 17:53, 4 June 2013 (BST)

Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington