Rovinj
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Rovinj, Croatia
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 | 45°04.57′N, 13°38.02′E |
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 | Local chartlet |
The picturesque and popular town of Rovinj is one of the most visited in Istria and lies 12 miles S of the harbour of Porec and 18 miles N of Pula. Originally established, like many of the ports along the Istrian coast, on a small offshore island, the town lies today at the end of a small peninsula at the NW end of a shallow bay protected from N and W by the island of St Katarina. Originally settled by Illyrian tribes, the town was later incorporated into the Roman province of Illyria under the name Ruvinium. Like most of Istria, Rovinj passed through various hands until pirate raids led it to seek the protection of the Venetian Republic in 1283, a situation which lasted until Napoleon’s forces invaded Istria in 1797. It was during this period that the town enjoyed its heyday, with the construction of the town walls and numerous impressive buildings. The town’s attractive location and well-preserved old town made it an important tourist destination during the period of post-war Yugoslavia and since the establishment of the independent Republic of Croatia in 1995, Rovinj has reputedly become Istria’s second most popular tourist destination. Visiting yachtsmen can berth temporarily on the customs quay to clear in but must then seek a berth in the ACI-owned Marina Rovinj, which has 386 berths for yachts up to 25 metres. It is also possible to anchor in an emergency in the bay S of the marina, although depths are considerable and shelter indifferent here.
Rovinj old town from marina - click for larger view
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.
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
- 201
- 204
- Croatian charts
- 100-15
- 100-16
- 11
- Italian charts
- 924
- 39
- 6002
- Imray Nautical Chart
- M24
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Sitting high on its peninsula and topped with the spire of the Church of St Euphemia, Rovinj is unmistakable from several miles off. The rocky and forested island of Sv. Katarina in the centre of the bay is also conspicuous. A yacht arriving from N or S can pass either side of the island (although note that a reef extends for around 100 metres on the E side of the island, marked with an E cardinal mark). The customs quay for clearing in is on the N side of the bay immediately below the town. The ACI marina of Marina Rovinj is on the S side of the bay. Shelter is good in all conditions except strong SW winds, when berths in parts of the marina can become dangerous.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Yachts arriving directly from Slovenia or Italy can check in at the customs quay, which is at the N end of the bay below the old town next to the ferry berth. Yachts are not permitted to tie up here except for the purpose of clearing in. If not clearing in, go straight to the marina, which offers 386 berths for yachts up to 25 metres in depths of up to 15.0 metres. See Marina Rovinj for full details.
Click for larger view
Offshore Islands and Groups
- Sv. Katarina
Berthing Options
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Marina Rovinj is an ACI run marina
- You can moor up on the town quay north of the old town. There are about 16 bright yellow buoys to which you tie a bow line. Then take a stern line to a ring on the quay. The cost in June 2013 is 16 kunas a metre.
Anchorages
Anchoring in Rovinj Bay is prohibited except in case of emergency.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
See entry for Marina Rovinj for details.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel dock at N end of the bay, near the town. Water and electricity in the marina.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The old town of Rovinj is one of the most charming in Istria, with steep and narrow cobbled streets winding through the town past mediaeval houses up to the high platform of the church of St. Euphemia, with superb views from its bell tower over the town and the Adriatic Sea. St. Euphemia is a local saint who was martyred by being thrown to the lions during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century AD. As one would expect from such a popular tourist destination, the streets are lined with craft shops and atmospheric bars and restaurants. The main Venetian entrance to the town, the Balbi Arch, remains as the land gate into the old town. If you are fortunate enough to be in Rovinj on a Sunday in August, you may see the main street of Grisia turn into an open-air art exhibition, when artists from all over Istria and further afield exhibit their works. For those of an energetic disposition, the Zlatni Rt forest park to the south of the harbour has lovely forest walks and pebble coves for cooling off. Cycle hire is easy in Rovinj and offers another way of seeing some of the outstanding natural beauty of the coastline. By boat, it is also possible to visit Sv. Katarina island (which is packed in summer) and its lovely gardens or take a trip into the unusual fjord-like Limski Kanal three miles N of the town (navigating the canal is prohibited in your own yacht or tender as it is a protected area).
 Old town of Rovinj |
 Mediaeval streets of Rovinj |
 Old town gate, Rovinj |
 The Grisia art festival in Rovinj |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Good provisions shops in the town
Eateries
- Numerous bars and restaurants in the town.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins in the marinas and near the town quay.
Transportation
- Buses to Rijeka, Trieste, Ljubljana and Zagreb
- International airports at Pula 35 kms, Trieste 110 kms and Rijeka 130 kms.
- High speed ferry (summer only) to Venice.
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
For other useful websites, see Croatia.
References & Publications
See entry for 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:
- August 2004--Athene of Lymington 15:11, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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