Cavtat

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Cavtat, Croatia

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42°34.9′N, 18°13.5′E
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Local chartlet
The harbour of Cavtat
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The picturesque town and harbour of Cavtat is situated just under six miles SE of Dubrovnik in Croatia and is the last recognized harbour heading south before the border with Montenegro. The main harbour lies on the W side of a prominent headland, Rt Sveti Rok, with a secondary harbour in the bay of Tiha on the E side of the headland. Shelter in the main harbour is good in S and E winds, but poor in NW and W winds, when Tiha offers better protection. Visiting yachts go stern/bows-to the quay in Cavtat or on the pontoons in Tiha or anchor off in either harbour wherever there is space.

Local Weather

Diurnal winds along the coast are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains are a feature of some of the harbours along the NE Adriatic 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 in the N Adriatic. It tends, however, to blow less strongly S of Zadar.

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.

Charts

British Admiralty
1580
Croatian
100-21
Imray
M25

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

There are numerous unlit hazards to be avoided in the approach to Cavtat and a night approach is not recommended. Approaching from S, the islet of Mrkan should be left well to port, avoiding the rocky ledge extending for nearly half a mile off its SE tip. The wooded cape of Rt Sustjepan at the SW side of Cavtat should be given a clearance of at least half a mile in the approach from S as there is a rocky ledge 100 metres off its W side. In the approach from N, the islet of Supetar should be left well to port as there is a dangerous rock awash 500 metres SE of it, roughly halfway between the islet and the headland of Rt Svet Rok. Closer in, the beacon and light of Pl. Seka Velika (painted black and red with two spherical topmarks) should be left 50 metres to port. It is important not to stray too close in to the headland of Rt Sveti Rok as there are shallows extending for over 200 metres to the W of it.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Yachts on Cavtat customs quay
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Cavtat is a port of entry with a customs office. You must moor on the fenced-off section of quay, marked with a large 'Q' sign in black on yellow, to check in or out. Even if you have spent the night on the quay a few metres along, you must move to check in or out. At less busy periods, is may be possible to go alongside, but considerate skippers do an anchor moor as space is so limited.

First, one has to visit the harbourmaster's office, which is on the waterfront 100 metres S of the customs quay, to complete a four-part crew list form and pay for a cruising permit (vignette) and the sojourn tax for the intended length of your stay. The crew list is checked and stamped and receipts isued for the vignette and sojourn tax. Next, one takes three copies of the completed crew list (the harbourmaster keeps one) together with your passports to the combined police and customs office. This is up a flight of stairs 50 metres up the street leading N from the customs quay on the right hand side and is clearly signed. The police and customs check the passports and other documents and each keep a copy of the crew list, handing you back the original. Then, you are legal.

Berthing options

Cavtat town quay

Yachts on Cavtat quay
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Tiha bay from SW
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In the main harbour of Cavtat, moor stern/bows-to the quay on the NE side of the bay, using your anchor, wherever there is space. Note that the S section is reserved for the tripper boats. Depths on the quay here are 3.0 - 4.0 metres (although you will be dropping your anchor in closer to 8-10 metres). Shelter in the main harbour is good in S and E winds, but poor in NW and W winds. In strong winds from this direction it is probably untenable. If winds from this quarter are expected, the inlet of Tiha on the other side of the headland of Rt Sveti Rok offers better protection, although some swell still enters.

Anchorages

In Cavtat, it is posible to anchor off at the SW end of the harbour in 8.0 – 10 metres, although space can ber tight in view of the numerous moorings and other anchored yachts. The holding is good in mud and shelter as for the town quay.

In Tiha, there is little space for visiting yachts in the tiny harbour and it is usually necessary to anchor off in the centre of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in mud and weed (once the anchor is through) but the shelter less so if there is more N than W in the wind. The anchorage here is often subject to strong thermal winds from NE during the night and you should ensure your anchor is well set. If they become too strong for comfort, the anchorages off the tiny harbour of Ljuta a mile NNE or, better still, off Srebreno three miles NNW usually offer better shelter.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Offshore Islands and Groups

Only small islets.

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Cavtat is a popular destination for day trippers from Dubrovnik and the waterfront is consequently packed with fish restaurants catering for this trade. Tourist attractions include the 16th century Rector’s Palace, the diminutive baroque church of St Nicholas next door, the monastery of Our Lady of the Snow and a gallery dedicated to Cavtat’s most famous son, the modernist painter Vlaho Bukovac.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarket and other provisions shops.

Eateries

Numerous restaurants on the waterfront. More in Tiha.

Internet/WiFi

Most of the cafes in both Cavtat and Tiha have wifi.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

None.

Transportation

  • Buses to Dubrovnik. The number 10 goes from Tiha to Dubrovnik every half an hour from 0900.
  • Passenger ferries to Dubrovnik. There are several different little boats going to and from Dubrovnik through the day and early evening, although there seems to be no regular scheduled service.
  • Cavtat is very close to the airport and is under the flightpath. Taxis cost 100 kunas fixed price. The taxi stops by the bus station. If you have bags that you cannot carry, there may be a little electric truck that will take your bags to the yacht for 50 kunas.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

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

  • Antonio works with the harbour master. He can arrange things like laundry. Telephone:09928 28355.

Forum Discussions

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

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

For other useful websites, see Croatia.

References & Publications

See Croatia.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

  • We experienced 25 knot NE gusts most of the night in Tiha anchorage; the second night we went up to Srebreno, which was much quieter. --Athene of Lymington

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Haiqu, Athene of Lymington


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