Žirje

From CruisersWiki

Žirje/wiki/%C5%BDirje#.C5.BDirje

Žirje 43°39.240'N, 015°39.480'E43.654;15.658 destination

lat=43.654 | lon=15.658 | zoom=12 | y

Žirje Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia 11 miles WSW of the port of Šibenik and four miles SE of the Kornati archipelago. It is the largest in a group of islands stretching between it and the channel leading into Luka Šibenik, the ‘inland sea’ off the port of Šibenik. Although only six miles by 1.5 miles at most, the island has a small harbour suitable for visiting yachts and three anchorages around its coast. The population of 94 is mainly centred on its hilltop capital, Zirje Town and its nearby harbour of Luka Muna on the NE coast. The island’s population survive largely on agriculture (grapes, olives and plums), fishing and a little tourism. There are the remains of a 6th century Byzantine castle on the hill above the anchorage of Stupica Vela.

Charts

See Northern Dalmatia.

Weather

See Croatia.

Passages

See Croatia.

Islands

• Kaprije
• Kakan
• Zmajan
• Tijat
• Prvić
• Kornati archipelago
• Zlarin

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply, remove it.

Entrance

Šibenik is the nearest all-year round port of entry. During the summer, Sali on Dugi Otok and Primošten on the mainland are also ports of entry.

Berthing

There are five berthing options on Zirje Island, the small harbour of Luka Muna half way along the NE coast of the island and five further anchorages at U. Mikavica and U. Koromašna on the NE side of the island, U. Tratinska on the NW side, U. Stupica Vela, and U. Stupica Mala at the SE tip.

Ports

• Luka Muna – this is the only port on the island

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Note: U. (short for Uvala) = cove. Anchorages are listed from N to S:

The anchorage of U. Koromasna

U. Koromašna

U. Koromašna/wiki/%C5%BDirje#U._Koroma.C5.A1na

anchorage U. Koromašna [[Žirje#U. Koromašna|U. Koromašna]] 43°39.4′N, 15°40.19′EU. Koromašna43.656666666667;15.669833333333

It lies halfway along the NE-facing coast of the island, around half a mile SE of the harbour of Luka Muna. The inlet is shaped rather like a duck’s foot, with three small coves along its S side. Anchor in one of the coves wherever there is space. The depths here are considerable until close inshore so it is probably wise to take a line ashore. Holding is moderate to good in sand and weed. The shelter is good except in winds from NE and E, when it becomes untenable if they are very strong.

U. Tratinska

U. Tratinska/wiki/%C5%BDirje#U._Tratinska

anchorage U. Tratinska [[Žirje#U. Tratinska|U. Tratinska]] 43°39.75′N, 15°37.49′EU. Tratinska43.6625;15.624833333333

This is an attractive looking cove on the SE of the island.

The popular anchorage of U. Stupica Vela

U. Stupica Vela

U. Stupica Vela/wiki/%C5%BDirje#U._Stupica_Vela

anchorage U. Stupica Vela [[Žirje#U. Stupica Vela|U. Stupica Vela]] 43°38.1′N, 15°41.25′EU. Stupica Vela43.635;15.6875

U. Stupica Vela is a popular and busy anchorage, the westernmost and widest of three inlets at the S end of Zirje Island. There are shoal patches off the headland at the E end of the inlet and also between the small islet of Skrovada just W of the entrance and Zirje itself. There are mooring buoys in the inlet in depths of 8.0 - 10.0 metres which can be picked up (a charge is made). Alternatively, anchor in suitable depths and take a line ashore if possible. The holding is only moderate and poor in places. The shelter is excellent in all but strong SE winds. Restaurant ashore. Water taxi during the season.

U. Stupica Mala

U. Stupica Mala/wiki/%C5%BDirje#U._Stupica_Mala

anchorage U. Stupica Mala [[Žirje#U. Stupica Mala|U. Stupica Mala]] 43°38.19′N, 15°42.22′EU. Stupica Mala43.6365;15.703666666667

U. Stupica Mala is the middle of the three inlets, immediately E of U. Stupica Vela. Depths are greater here and the anchorage is, therefore, less popular than U. Stupica Vela. However, it is quieter during the busiest part of the season. Anchor in 8.0 - 10.0 metres and take a line ashore if possible. It is necessary to go to the head of the inlet to find suitable anchoring depths. Holding is moderate to good in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all but S winds.

U. Mikavica

U. Mikavica/wiki/%C5%BDirje#U._Mikavica

anchorage U. Mikavica [[Žirje#U. Mikavica|U. Mikavica]] 43°40.230'N, 015°37.275'EU. Mikavica43.67049503193945;15.621250334487582

U. Mikavica is situated on the N side of the island, close to the NW tip. Just under a mile NNW of the V-shaped inlet is the small islet of Mikavica, which has a shoal patch extending for nearly 400 metres SSE of it. The northern headland of the inlet also has shoals for nearly 100 metres off it. Once into the inlet, there is a small jetty where there may be space for a yacht to go bows or stern-to using the anchor. Depths at the pier range from 3.0 metres near the root to 5.0 metres at the end. Alternatively anchor off in 6.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good except with anything N in the wind. The anchorage would probably be untenable in very strong easterlies.

Amenities

Provisioning

N/A (Not Available).

Eating out

• Luka Muna

 /wiki/%C5%BDirje#.26nbsp.3Beatingout   [[Žirje# | ]] Restaurant, caffé/bar.

• U. Stupica Vela

 /wiki/%C5%BDirje#.26nbsp.3Beatingout   [[Žirje# | ]] Restaurant, caffé/bar.

Transportation

Daily ferries to Šibenik on the mainland.

Tourism

Byzantine castle above U. Stupica Vela

History

Give a short history of the island.

Places to Visit

There are the remains of a Byzantine castle on the hill about the anchorage of U. Stupica Vela. The island is cross-crossed with walking/cycling paths, which make exploring its small land surface easy. Otherwise, there is little to do on Zirje but chill out.

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

• Žirje at the Wikipedia

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 Žirje and this page's details validated:

• July 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:20, 15 November 2012 (GMT)

Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington