Polace

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WorldMediterraneanAdriatic SeaCroatiaSouthern DalmatiaMljetPolace
Polače
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Map or Picture of port

Add here any background, cruising, and historical comments.

Polace
42°47.3′N, 17°22.76′E Chart icon.png
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The quays of Polace are occupied with restaurant moorings

The harbour of Polače is situated at the NW end of the island of Mljet in Croatia, at the head of a two mile-long inlet sheltered from N winds by a chain of islands. Together with Pomena harbour on the W coast, Polace is one of two convenient harbours where one can safely leave a boat for a visit to the attractions of the Mljet National Park. There are traces of human habitation here dating back to pre-Roman times, but it was during the Roman era that Polace first attracted permanent settlement with the construction of the fortified castle, the ruins of which overlook the shore and are thought to date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD. The present village largely dates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The institution of the National Park in the 1960s, coupled with a certain resistance to rapid change on the part of the islanders, has kept Polace relatively unspoilt. However, it has not prevented the establishment of serried ranks of (somewhat pricey) restaurants along the S shores of the bay. Mooring options are effectively limited to anchoring off in the bay, with a line ashore if preferred, or picking up one of the laid moorings on the quay, all of which are reserved for restaurant patrons only. Shelter in Polace is good in most conditions, although in very strong E winds it is probably wise to move round to Pomena for better shelter.

Charts

British Admiralty
1580
Croatian charts
MK24
Imray
M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)

Weather

See Croatia.

Passages

See Croatia.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

The approach from E is via the two-mile long channel between Mljet island and the long island of O. Kobrava to the N, which is entered by leaving the rocky reef of Hrid Kula (marked with a light structure) to port. The approach from N, between Mljet and the island of O. Moracnik has two dangers to be avoided: firstly, the islet of Skoljic 200 metres W of the northernmost tip of O. Moracnik has shoals extending for nearly 100 metres W; secondly, on the coast of Mljet opposite the S end of O. Moracnik there is a rocky spit extending nearly 200 metres into the channel, which could be dangerous in poor visibility. It is also possible to approach on the N side of O. Kobrava, between it and O. Ovrata and then between O. Moracnik and O. Tajnik. This approach is free of dangers and is the one normally used by the ferries.

Entrance

Korcula Town or Dubrovnik are the nearest year-round ports of entry.

Berthing

The quay of the Restoran Dalmatinac

Yachts visiting Polace have four berthing options, depending on whether the crews wish to eat ashore or not:

Restaurants' quay

Restaurants' quay/wiki/Polace#Restaurants.27_quay
Berth icon Restaurants' quay [[Polace#Restaurants' quay|Restaurants' quay]]
Virtually the whole quay on the S side of the bay is taken up with restaurant moorings, where yachts can enjoy a laid mooring and often water and electricity in return for patronizing the appropriate restaurant. Depths on the quays are mostly 3.0 - 4.0 metres, although this drops to a metre or less W of the ferry jetty and 2.0 – 3.0 metres on the quay next to the castle. There are at least six restaurants to choose from, so it sometimes pays to cruise up and down before selecting one.

Restoran Dalmatina

Restoran Dalmatina/wiki/Polace#Restoran_Dalmatina
Berth icon Restoran Dalmatina [[Polace#Restoran Dalmatina|Restoran Dalmatina]] 42°47.136′N, 17°24.319′E
Half a mile E of Polace in the cove of Uvala Tatinica, sheltered from N by Otok Kobrava, is the family-run Restoran Dalmatinac, which has four moorings for patrons and two buoys in depths of 4.0 – 5.0 metres in a delightfully peaceful and sheltered cove. Water, electricity and wifi available.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

The anchorage of Polace from NW

Restaurant mooring buoys

Restaurant mooring buoys/wiki/Polace#Restaurant_mooring_buoys
Buoy icon Restaurant mooring buoys [[Polace#Restaurant mooring buoys|Restaurant mooring buoys]]

For slightly better peace and quiet, it may be possible to pick up one of the mooring buoys N of the ferry jetty and opposite the Roman castle ruins. At least some of these appear to be owned by one of the restaurants and you may be obliged to eat ashore if you pick one up. Depths at the buoys are 10-12 metres, but drop to only 4.0 metres to the N of the buoys.

Note: that in June 2014 these buoys were no longer in evidence and may have been removed.

Anchorage

Anchorage/wiki/Polace#Anchorage
Anchorage icon Anchorage [[Polace#Anchorage|Anchorage]]
Most yachts prefer to anchor off in the bay, although even this option does not afford much peace and quiet during the summer months as the anchorage can get very crowded. Anchor in 7.0 - 8.0 metres on the NW side of the bay, taking a line ashore if preferred. The wooded setting is beautiful here and the holding is excellent in mud and weed. Shelter here is also excellent in all but very strong E winds. Note: avoid anchoring anywhere near the rocky patch off the castle on the N side of the mooring buoys. The depths here may seem better but the bottom has numerous large rocks to snag your anchor.

W side of O. Moracnik

W side of O. Moracnik/wiki/Polace#W_side_of_O._Moracnik
Anchorage icon W side of O. Moracnik [[Polace#W side of O. Moracnik|W side of O. Moracnik]] 42°47.7′N, 17°23.7′E
In addition to the anchorage in the harbour, there is an alternative settled weather anchorage in peaceful surroundings in the bay on the W side of O. Moracnik. You are dropping anchor in 10-12 metres here, so it is probably wise to take a line ashore. Shelter is good in most conditions except with very strong SW winds. Holding is good in sand and mud.

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

No fuel. Water and electricity at some of the restaurant quays.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Roman castle
The lakes are a magnet for tourists on Mljet
Cycle hire is a popular way to see the Mljet National Park
The former Benedictine monastery on an island in Veliko Jezero
A ferry takes bikes and riders across at the E end of the lakes

In Polace itself the main attractions are the remains of a Roman palace, dating back to the 5th or 6th centuries, which are conspicuous on the W side of the bay. Next to the ruins are the remains of a 5th century early Christian basilica. However, the ‘must see’ attractions of Mljet Island are the two interconnected lakes, Malo and Veliko Jezero, at the NW end of the island. The lakes are in the national park and an entry fee of 100 kuna (2014) per person is payable on mooring in Polace or Pomena (though not if only dining at the restaurants). This price includes entry to the park (valid for a week), a bus to and from Veliko Jezero and access (via a short boat ride) to the former Benedictine monastery of Sv. Marija, which is being steadily restored following damage during Croatia's war of independence and has a cafe and restaurant. It is also possible to walk or cycle the route to and around the lakes (cycles can be hired in the village or at the lakes themselves), which is a much more rewarding if rather more energetic option. Between the two lakes is a channel dug by the Benedictine monks to provide motive power for a mill from the tidal currents into Veliko Jezero. Depending on the state of tide, a current can be seen rushing through the shallow sea inlet at the E end of Veliko Jezero, the pleasant walk or cycle to which goes along the S side of the lake. Except when the current is very strong, a ferry boat takes pedestrians and cyclists (with their bikes) across the narrows to enable them to complete the circuit of the lakes.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Basic provisions shops in the village.

Eateries

Several restaurants (six as of 2014) along the quays, most with their own moorings. Café/bar near the Roman castle ruins.

Internet/WiFi

At most of the restaurants.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Cycle rental only.

Garbage Disposal

Limited. Take it with you.

Transportation

  • Ferries via Sobra to Dubrovnik
  • Local ferries to Trstenik on mainland.

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)

Links

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.

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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington


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