Murter
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Murter Island in Croatia.
Murter
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Murter Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia 11 miles NW of the port of Sibenik and 10 miles E of the Kornati Islands. The island is separated from the mainland on its E side by a narrow channel at the town of Tisno, which is spanned by a lifting road bridge and is navigable by shallow to moderate draft yachts. In spite of being one of the smaller islands, Murter caters exceptionally well for the cruising community, with no less than three marinas, a well-equipped boatyard and several anchorages around its shores. However, the approach to the island from N or W is tricky and can be challenging in poor weather. The island is popular during the summer as a holiday base for visiting the Kornati Islands and many Murter residents own plots on the islands. The island’s main town of Murter Town is located in a wide bay on the N side of the island, sheltered from N by a chain of small islands.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 2711
- Croatian charts
- MK13
- MK15
- 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.
Passages
See Croatia.
Islands
Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Entrance
Sibenik is the nearest all-year port of entry. During the summer, Primosten is also a port of entry.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Berthing
There are a total of six principal berthing options on Murter Island, the harbours of Murter Town, Jezera, Betina and Tisno, the first three of which have marinas, and two anchorages on the W side of the island, U. Kosirina and U Sv. Nikola. Click on link at top right of page for Interactive map of harbours and anchorages or for full details see below.
Ports are listed anti-clockwise from Murter. Click on the appropriate port for details.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Marina Hramina (in Murter Town)
- Marina Jezera
- Marina Betina
Anchorages
Note: U. (short for Uvala) = cove. Anchorages are listed from N to S.
U. Kosirina
Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
U. Kosirina is a U-shaped inlet on the W coast of Murter, three miles SE of the NW tip of the island. The small islet of Tuzbina lies immediately S of the entrance to the bay. The bay is well protected from all directions except S and is a popular nachorage during the season. Anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres at the head of the bay. Holding is good in sand and weed. There is a restaurant and campsite with a small minimarket open here during the season.
U. Sv. Nikola
Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
The anchorage of U. Sv. Nikola is situated on the SW coast of the island, just over a mile NW of its southernmost tip. It offers good shelter in all but S winds. There are two piers at the head of the inlet, which are usually full of local boats and are in any case in shallow water. There are depths of around 2.0 metres on the S side of the outer pier and it is possible to moor bows or stern-to here using our anchor. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively anchor off in the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres.
U. Hrbosnjak
Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
The anchorage of O. Hrbosnjak lies on the SE coast of Murter, just W of the island of the same name, and around a mile SE of Jezera. The anchorage consists of a W-shaped bay open NE and SE (but with a fetch of only a mile) but protected from all other directions. Anchor in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed.
Yacht Services and Repairs
Large boatyard at Marina Betina . See marina entry for details.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel berth near Marina Hramina and at Marina Jezera. Water and electricity in marinas only.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The easy access to Murter Island across the road bridge at Tisno make it a popular holiday destination from local Croats from the mainland and the island has boasted a growing tourism industry since the 1930s, boosted by its proximity to the Kornati Islands ten miles to the W. Visible traces of Roman occupation can be seen in the ruins of the town of Colentum at the NE end of Murter bay, which flourished during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. The town of Betina, built on a hill overlooking the Pirovacki Zaljev, the channel between Murter Island and the mainland, is a late mediaeval architectural gem and the towns of Jezera and Tisno, though not of such antiquity, are also full of character. See individual port pages for details.
Grocery & Supply Stores
See individual harbour and marina entries.
Eateries
See individual harbour and marina entries.
Internet/WiFi
At marinas only.
Garbage Disposal
See individual harbour and marina entries.
Transportation
- Daily buses to Sibenik, Zadar, Rijeka and Zagreb.
- Buses to local destinations.
- Airport at Zadar (43 kms)
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)
Links
- Murter at the Wikipedia
- Murter Tourism
For other useful websites, see Croatia.
References & Publications
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 Murter and this page's details validated:
- July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |