Krk
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Krk Island, Croatia Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Krk Island in Croatia
 Click links for more information
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 | Local chartlet |
Krk Island lies in the bay of Rijeka in Croatia, between the mainland to the east and the long island of Cres to the west, from which it is separated by a three mile wide strait. Its northern extremity is connected to the mainland by a road bridge with a clearance of 45 metres, which carries busy traffic between the city of Rijeka and its international airport at the NE end of the island. Croatia’s largest island, it is also one of the most popular with tourists, especially from Austria, Germany and Slovenia, attracted by its good transport connections. The N and NW coasts of the island are mostly steep-to and rocky with few settlements, but the S and SW parts experience a milder climate, with more forestry and agriculture and the main settlements of Krk Town, Punat and Baska. The island’s main harbour of Krk Town has moorings for visiting yachts and good shelter in all but strong southerlies, while the inlet of Punat two miles E contains an 800-berth marina, Marina Punat, which is very popular with over-wintering yachts. Several smaller harbours and anchorages around the coasts of the island can be visited in suitable conditions, but few have any facilities for yachts. The island’s main attractions include the 13th - 16th century Krk Cathedral and Venetian castle, both in Krk Town, and the lovely mediaeval village of Vrbnik on the E coast, famous for its delicious zlahtina white wine. The resort of Baska on the S coast is popular with hikers, attracted by its mountain trails, while the inlet of Punat contains a picturesque 16th century Franciscan monastery on a small island in the centre of the inlet.
Click for larger view
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 202
- 2719
- Croatian charts
- MK 5 (Rijeka Bay)
- MK 6 (Cres Island)
- MK 7 (Krk - Rab)
- Imray
- M24 (Gulf of Trieste to Losinj and Rab)
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. 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.
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
Krk Town is not a port of entry. The nearest port of entry is Rijeka.
Berthing options
The principal berthing options for yachts visiting the island are the town quay and separate visitors’ moorings at Krk Town, the large marina of Marina Punat, the small harbours of Malinska, Njivice, Omisalj, Silo, Vrbnik and Baska and several anchorages offering good shelter depending on wind direction. For locations see: Map of harbours and anchorages on Krk Island or for full details of the harbours and anchorages, see links below.
Ports
Click on the appropriate link below for full details of the ports on Krk Island.
- Krk Town harbour
- Malinska harbour
- Njivice harbour
- Omisalj harbour
- Silo harbour
- Vrbnik harbour
- Baska harbour
Anchorages
Note: U. (short for Uvala) = cove. Click on Map of harbours and anchorages on Krk Island for the location and summary details of each anchorage or on the co-ordinates below for a simple map.
U. Sv. Fuska
The inlet of U Sv. Fuska lies four miles W of Krk Town and offers good shelter in its two branches in all conditions except southerlies. A row of electricity pylons on the slopes above is a good landmark on the approach. Anchor wherever there is space among the fishing boats in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. It may be advisable to take a line ashore to prevent swinging. Holding is good in sand and mud.
Luka Torkul
The inlet of Luka Torkul lies five miles NW of U. Sv. Fuska on the W coast of the island. The head of the inlet is protected by two short piers. Depths in the approach are 6.0 - 10 metres and around 3.0 metres at the head. Anchor and take a line ashore to either of the piers or to the shore at the head of the inlet. Holding is moderate in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all winds except from S and SW.
U. Vala Jana
The wooded inlet of U. Vala Jana is situated 1.5 miles NW of Luka Torkul. At the head of the inlet is a sailing club with a series of small pontoons and quays. Anchor wherever suitable in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. Holding is moderate in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all but SW winds.
Zaton Soline
Zaton Soline is a wide, landlocked bay lying on the NE coast of Krk Island, opposite the mainland town of Crikvenica. The narrow entrance is marked with a stone light tower to starboard and a red metal pillar to port. A further port marker marks a reef at the inner end of the entrance channel. Once inside, there is a small and very crowded harbour at the SE side of the bay with some moorings managed by Marina Punat. Alternatively, anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres at the SW end of the bay or in the cove on the NE side, E of the lines of fish stakes and clear of the wreck. Beware of the shallow spit with less than 2.0 metres depth at the outer end that extends form the small harbour almost to the islet in the centre of the bay. Holding is excellent in mud and the inlet provides all-round shelter.
U. Petrina
U. Petrina is a small cove situated on the E coast of the island, two miles S of the harbour of Silo. Anchor as close to the head as depths allow, probably in 3.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is fair to good in sand and weed. If there is any swell, it may be worth taking a line ashore. Shelter is good in most conditions but the anchorage is open SE.
U. Sv. Marak
U. Sv. Marak is a small cove on the S side of a distinctive promontory, about one mile S of U. Petrina. The promontory can be identified by a ruined chapel on the top. Anchor in 5.0 metres and take a line to the pier or one of the three stone bollards in the bay. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good in W and N winds but poor in winds from S and E.
Luka Srscica
Luka Srscica lies between two promontories on the SE side of Krk Island, three miles ESE of the harbour of Vrbnik. There are dangerous rocks to be avoided in the approach from both N and E. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. It may be advisable to take a line ashore if the winds are variable. The holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter here is good in all winds except N or NW, when it becomes untenable.
U. Mala Luka
U. Mala Luka is a sheltered, L-shaped inlet at the SE extremity of Krk Island, opposite the town of Senj on the mainland. A small islet, O. Zecevo, lies 1.5 miles due E of the inlet. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 metres and take a line ashore. The holding is very patchy since much of the bottom is rocky, but it is possible with care to locate a sandy patch. Shelter here is excellent, although in view of the holding it is probably not a place to be in extreme weather.
U. Vela Luka
U. Vela Luka is a deep inlet ‘round the corner’ from U. Mala Luka. Nearly a mile long, it cuts a deep scar into the rocky promontory that marks the SE end of Krk Island. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is poor in sand and shingle, so it is not advisable as an anchorage if bad weather is forecast. Shelter is excellent from all winds except southerlies.
Offshore Islands
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Yacht Services and Repairs
- See Marina Punat
Marine Stores
- See Marina Punat
Repairs/Yards
- See Marina Punat
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel in Krk Town. Water on quay in Krk Town. Water and electricity in Marina Punat and on Malinska quay and pontoon.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Krk Town is a picturesque mediaeval town, with narrow streets winding around its old quarter, of which the highlight is the cathedral, built between the 13th and 16th centuries, and the Venetian castle five minutes’ walk to the east. The castle is the venue for concerts and theatrical events during the Krk Festival in July and August. From Krk Town it is a long six-mile hike or shorter bus ride NE to the delightful mediaeval village of Vrbnik, famous for its zlahtina white wine (try it at the Konoba Nada with smoked ham and cheese). Barely two miles E of Krk Town is the large inlet of Punat with the 16th century Franciscan monastery of Kosljun on an island in the centre. The resort and small harbour of Baska at the SE end of island is impressively sited, nestling between two high mountain ranges, and is popular with trekkers.
 Krk castle and cathedral |
 Franciscan monastery of Kosljun |
 The harbour and village of Vrbnik |
 Baska waterfront |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Supermarket and provisions shops in Krk Town, Punat, Malinska, Njivice and Baska. Grocery shops in Vrbnik, Omisalj and Silo.
Eateries
- See port entries for details.
- In Vrbnik, the Konoba Nada wine bar serves an excellent zlahtina white wine with smoked ham and cheese --Athene of Lymington 15:04, 21 April 2012 (BST)
Internet/WiFi
In Marina Punat.
Laundry
In Marina Punat.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Transportation
- Buses to Rijeka on mainland
- International flights from Rijeka airport (on Krk Island)
- Ferries to Merag on Cres Island from Valbinska
Routes/Passages To/From
List 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
- List of all Croatian marinas
- List of government-owned ACI marinas
- Croatian National Tourist Board
- Find Croatia travel guide
- Wikipedia - 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:
- May 2005 ----Athene of Lymington 15:04, 21 April 2012 (BST)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Southern Europe | Mediterranean | Adriatic Sea | Croatia | Krk | |
