Šipan
From CruisersWiki
Sipan, Croatia
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Sipan Island in Croatia.
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 | 42°43.68′N, 17°52.74′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
Sipan Island is the largest of a chain of small islands lying barely two miles off the coast of Croatia. Known as the Elafiti Islands (from the Greek word elaphos, meaning deer, which with the islands were presumably formerly populated), the chain is mostly heavily forested and unspoilt. Several of the islands are popular day trip destinations for holidaymakers staying in Dubrovnik, but visiting yachts using the various anchorages around the islands can usually escape the worst of the crowds (especially outside the peak months of July and August) and even the busier anchorages quieten down at night when the tripper boats go home. Sipan Island is around nine miles NW of the port of Dubrovnik, and is a popular summer beach destination for day trippers. Wine and olive oil were formerly the backbone of the local economy, but increasingly tourism is the island’s prime source of income. Although a relatively large island, Sipan only offers suitable berths for yachts in two small harbours, Luka Sipanska and Sudurad, plus a settled weather anchorage at the small islet of Misnjak at its N end.
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Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1580
- Croatian charts
- MK25
- Imray
- M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)
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.
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)
Dubrovnik is the nearest year-round port of entry.
Berthing options
There are two principal berthing options on the island, the anchorages of Luka Sipanska at the NW end of the island and Sudurad at the SE end.
Luka Sipanska 42°43.82′N, 17°51.89′E
Luka Sipanska is the largest of several villages on the island and the main passenger ferry port. The bay is approached from S through the narrow channel of Prolaz Harpoti between Sipan and Jakljan islands or from N along the NE side of a chain of islets fringing the NE side of Jakljan Island. The harbour and anchorage lie at the head of a mile-long NW-facing inlet. Anchor S of the ferry jetty on the NE side of the harbour (which carries a red light structure) in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in mud. There are also around eight laid moorings on the town quay SE of the ferry jetty which can be used by visiting yachts. Depths here are 3+ metres (if one does touch, the bottom is thick mud). You can anchor north of the ferry jetty, but you must leave room for the ferry to come in and back out. The holding is good in the mud. The restaurant Kod Marko has four mooring bouys that can be booked in advance. You must eat at the restaurant if you use one. Shelter is good here in all but strong NW winds, which send in a heavy swell. Provisions store, restaurants and café/bars ashore.
Sudurad 42°40.79′N, 17°57.51′E
The village of Sudurad is situated at the SE end of the island, opposite the small islet of Ruda. If approaching from S, note that shoals extend for nearly 400 metres SSE of the headland at the S end of the bay. There are also a number of above-water rocks which lie 200-300 metres E of the village and its tiny harbour. Anchor outside the harbour in depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres, between the ferry jetty on the S side of the harbour (used by a car ferry from Dubrovnik) and the rocks to the E or, in S winds, in the wooded cove 500 metres S of the harbour. Holding is good in sand. Alternatively there may be space on the quay immediately NE of the ferry jetty, where there are 8-10 laid moorings in depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres. These are often filled with local fishing boats, however. Shelter in the anchorage is good except with anything E in the wind. Provisions shops and restaurants ashore.
O. Misnjak 42°45.32′N, 17°50.21′E
Between the small islet of Misnjak at the extreme N tip of Sipan and the island itself is a shallow channel which can be used as an anchorage in settled weather. Anchor in the ‘cleft’ opposite Misnjak islet in 6.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. Shelter is good and the surroundings are idyllic in settled weather or in moderate S winds, but the anchorage should be evacuated immediately with any signs of bad weather. No facilities ashore.
Offshore Islands
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
No fuel. Water on the quay at Luka Sipanski (needs to be unlocked and a charge of 50 kuna is made). Also a tap on the quay in Sudurad if you can get to it. Electricity only on the jetty at Luka Sipanska, which is usually unlocked only for the tripper boats but should be usable in an emergency.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
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Transportation
Ferries to Dubrovnik from Luka Sipanska and Sudurad.
Routes/Passages To/From
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:
- June 2014 --Athene of Lymington
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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