Senj

From CruisersWiki

The harbour of Senj lies on the mainland coast of Croatia in the Vinodolska channel, opposite the SE end of the island of Krk and close to the point where the Vinodolska channel becomes the Velebitski channel. The town itself is ancient, dating back well before the Roman period, and well worth visiting. The harbour, however, does not offer good shelter and is a place to be avoided if there is any risk of a bora or, indeed, any fresh to strong winds from N round to SW. In settled weather, however, it is a fascinating place to visit and little frequented by cruising yachts.

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 and its continuation NW, the Vinodolska channel.

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 this reason, most yachts cruising the Velebitski and Vinodolska channels hug the mainland shore, where there is better shelter in the event of a sudden bora.

For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.

Charts

British Admiralty

2719

Croatian charts

100-18

50-4

Italian charts

924

6001

Imray Nautical Chart

M24

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Islands

• Krk

Navigation

Senj is approached either via the Vinodolska channel leading under the road bridge linking the island of Krk to the mainland, which has a clearance of over 50 metres, or through the narrow channel between the S end of Krk and the small island of Prvic. The harbour lies on the N side of a headland dominated by a conspicuous 16th century castle and consists of a small bay partly protected on the N side by a short breakwater.

Depths in the entrance are 6.0 metres and at the quays 3.0 - 5.0 metres. Shelter is reasonable in moderate winds from NE round to S but poor in all other conditions. The harbour is untenable in strong winds from N round to SW.

Berthing

Visiting yachts can moor alongside the outer part of the breakwater, avoiding the inner end of the breakwater where the ferries berth, alongside the short jetty at the SE side of the harbour or wherever there is space on the quays. Least depth on the quays is 3.0 metres and along the breakwater 5.0 metres.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

There is no suitable sheltered anchorage off Senj.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel from garage on the main road. No water or electricity.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The main attraction of the town is the well-restored 16th century Nehaj castle on the promontory overlooking the bay, which was built to repel the Ottoman invaders around 1558. Another, more unusual, attraction is the sundial erected on the 45th parallel which runs through the town, marking the exact halfway point between the North Pole and the Equator.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarkets and other provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

Numerous bars and restaurants in the town.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the harbour.

Transportation

• Buses to Rijeka and Krk.
• Ferry service to Krk
• Domestic and international trains from Rijeka to Zagreb, Trieste, Ljubljana, Vienna, Munich and Salzburg.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Croatia.

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

• Senj at the Wikipedia

For other useful websites, see Croatia.

References & Publications

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.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Senj and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 13:14, 21 July 2011 (BST)

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington