Zaton

From CruisersWiki

The deep and sheltered inlet of Zaton lies just 1.5 miles NW of the entrance to the harbour of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It is a popular summer weekend anchorage for yachts out of Dubrovnik as well as offering a considerably cheaper alternative to the ACI Marina in Dubrovnik. Visiting yachts have the choice of anchoring at the top of the bay or, if there is space, lying alongside the short jetty at the settlement of Veli Zaton on the W side of the inlet. Shelter is the inlet is good, although strong southerlies send in an unpleasant swell.

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. It tends to blow less strongly S of Zadar.

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.

Zaton itself is most affected by NE thermal winds, which can blow with some force at night after very hot days and make berths on the jetty uncomfortable (though not dangerous).

For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.

Charts

British Admiralty

1580

683

Croatian

100-21

Imray

M25

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets. lso see World Cruiser's Nets

Passages

See Croatia.

Islands

• Lopud

Navigation

There are no hazards in the approach to the inlet of Zaton. A light structure on the W headland of the inlet is visible from some distance. If intending to berth on the stone jetty at Veli Zaton, note that there is an underwater rock some 200 metres E of the jetty with only 4.5 metres over it.

Berthing

The main settlement in the inlet is Veli Zaton, located in a shallow bay on the W side around half a mile from the entrance. Here there is a small harbour consisting of N and E jetties, the inside of which is mostly filled by local boats. A ferry berths daily on the N side of the N jetty and usually stays overnight. Outside these times, this space is often filled with hotel boats,for which Zaton is a regular stop, collecting or disgorging passengers. However, there are six laid moorings on the outside of the E jetty and it is most likely you will be directed to one of these if one is free. The owner of the local Konoba Kasar just S of the harbour manages the moorings, for which there is a daily charge of 175 kuna. Depths in this position are 4-5 metres, shallowing to 1.5 at the S end beyond the laid moorings. There are no facilities on the jetty, but there are two stanchions for water and electricity on the N jetty (not connected in June 2014).

Anchorages

If there is no space, one can anchor off Veli Zaton (avoiding the rock) or - especially with N winds - in the bight at the top of the inlet. Depths here are 6.0 - 10.0 metres and the holding is excellent in mud. Depths in most of the rest of the inlet are unsuitable for anchoring. Shelter in both Veli Zaton and the anchorage is good in all but strong southerly winds, when a heavy swell will be experienced, although the moorings on the outside of the harbour jetty do become uncomfortable with N or E winds much above 15 knots.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The village of Veli Zaton sits in quite pleasant surroundings. Round the inlet are several summer residences built by the Dubrovnik aristocracy of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarket at Veli Zaton.

Eateries

Three konobas at Veli Zaton.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

None.

Transportation

Buses to Dubrovnik from 0600 to 2345. Details from helpful tourist office up steps next to post office.

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

• Zaton 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 Zaton and this page's details validated:

• June 2014 --Athene of Lymington

This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Haiqu, Athene of Lymington