Krk Town

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Revision as of 15:05, 24 April 2012

Krk Town, Croatia

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	44°01.45′N, 14°34.78′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The harbour of Krk Town lies on the south coast of Krk Island three miles NE of the small islet of Plavnik and five miles NE of the large island of Cres. A picturesque mediaeval walled town, Krk Town has grown into a busy tourist resort, fuelled in large measure by the convenience of the island’s international airport only 20 minutes away at the north end of the island. Its large harbour, which gets very crowded during the summer, offers relatively shallow berths along its N quay and also visitors’ mooring buoys in the bay immediately E of the harbour. If full, the large marina and anchorage of Punat two miles further E offers the nearest all-round shelter.

Krk Town harbour and E bay
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)

Local 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.

Approach and Navigation

The town is easily identified from seaward by the prominent cathedral tower see photo). There are no hazards in the approach to the harbour, which is protected by a long breakwater oriented E-W. The harbour is entered from ENE. Note that the depths shoal to 5.0 - 6.0 metres at the entrance and entry is difficult in strong southerly winds. The harbour would probably become untenable in a southerly gale, when Punat is a safer option.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Cres Town is not a port of entry. The nearest port of entry is Mali Losinj on the island of Losinj.

Berthing options

There are three berthing options in Krk Town as follows:

North quay

Moderate draft yachts (max. 2.5 - 3.0 metres) can moor along the quay on the N side of the harbour, between the two short outer and inner piers. During the season, buoys are placed along the quay and visiting yachts moor to them taking lines back to the quay. Note that depths at the quay are as little as 1.0 metre in parts, although 3.0 - 4.0 metres further out. The buoys may not be in place early or late in the season.

South quay

A pontoon has been installed parallel to the S breakwater, with pick-up buoys for yachts to moor bows or stern-to the pontoon. The pontoon is usually filled with local yachts but there may be space for a visiting yacht here. Depths are 4.0 - 5.0 metres.

East bay

During the season, two lines of swinging mooring buoys are laid in the bay immediately E of the harbour in depths of around 5.0 metres.

Note that in very strong southerlies most of these berths would be very uncomfortable if not untenable.

Offshore Islands and Groups

• Losinj
• Cres
• Rab

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina Punat

Anchorages

It may be possible to anchor in the bay east of the town in 4.0 - 5.0 metres (especially out of season if the mooring buoys are not in place). However, during the season you are likely to be charged the same price as if you pick up a mooring buoy, so there is little to be gained. A better anchorage is in the inlet of Punat two mile further east.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None. Go to Punat.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station in the NW corner of the harbour (although depths are barely 2.0 metres). Water from a tap on the N quay or at the fuel berth. No electricity.

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.

Krk castle and cathedral

Franciscan monastery of Kosljun

The harbour and village of Vrbnik

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Supermarket and good provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Numerous cafes and restaurants around the harbour and in the town.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins near the harbour.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• Buses to Rijeka and Zagreb.
• Local buses to Vrbnik and Biska.

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

• List of all Croatian marinas
• List of government-owned ACI marinas
• Croatian National Tourist Board
• Find Croatia travel guide
• Wikipedia - Croatia

References & Publications

• Adriatic Pilot (Imray) - Trevor & Dinah Thompson 5th edition 2008
• 777 Harbours & Anchorages - Karl-H. Bestandig 4th edition 2010-11
• Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical) - Jane Cody and John Nash
• Adriatic Sea Pilots Volume 1 and 2 (Croatian Hydrographic Office)

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 17:27, 23 April 2012 (BST)

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