Gradac

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Revision as of 14:10, 10 January 2013

Gradac, Croatia

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	43°06.2′N, 17°20.8′E
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Gradac from S
Click for larger view

The small harbour of Gradac lies on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, 17 miles SE of the bay of Igrane and six miles NW of the commercial harbour of Ploce. The island of Hvar is situated just six miles WNW of the harbour. Gradac, like most of the harbours along this coast, is a busy tourist resort with a fine sandy beach just E of the harbour. Visiting yachts can moor alongside at the entrance to the small harbour or anchor off the beach in 6.0 - 8.0 metres in settled weather. Gradac harbour is sheltered from the prevailing NW winds, but untenable in strong southerlies.

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 along the Velebitski channel. It tends 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

1574

Croatian

100-21

Imray

M25

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

There are no dangers in the approach from any direction. A tall white monument with a statue on the top is situated on the hill above Gradac and can be seen from some distance off. Closer in, the harbour breakwater is clearly identifiable. Note that a small boat harbour, too tiny for yachts, lies back-to-back on the NW side of the main harbour. The main harbour is entered from SE. Be sure to give the end of the breakwater a good clearance as there is ballasting around it.

Berthing options

The inner basin of the harbour is shallow and full of local boats on laid moorings. Visiting yachts usually tie up alongside the inner side of the breakwater, close to the entrance, where depths are from 5.0 metres at the ‘elbow’ to 8.0 metres at the outer end. There are no facilities on the breakwater. Alternatively, anchor off the beach SE of the entrance, where depths are 5.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is good in sand.

Breakwater at Gradac
Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Offshore Islands and Groups

• Hvar
• Korcula

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Other than walking in the Biokovo mountain range behind the town or repairing to the nearby beaches, there is not much to do in Gradac except chill out.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Some small provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Several cafes and restaurants in the village.

Internet/WiFi

From internet cafes.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

Bins in the village.

Transportation

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.

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?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 17:36, 8 August 2011 (BST)

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