Polače
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| Polače
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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, Polače 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 Polače 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 Polače 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 Polače is good in most conditions, although in very strong E winds it is probably wise to move round to Pomena for better shelter.
Charts
See Southern Dalmatia.
Weather
See Croatia.
Passages
See Croatia.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The approach from the E is via the two-mile long channel between Mljet island and the long island of 
O. Kobrava [[Polače#O. Kobrava|O. Kobrava]] 42°47.353'N, 017°24.923'E to the N, which is entered by leaving the rocky reef of 
Hrid Kula [[Polače#Hrid Kula|Hrid Kula]] 42°47.219'N, 017°26.069'E (marked with a light structure) to port.
The approach from the N, between Mljet and the island of O. Moracnik [[Polače#O. Moracnik|O. Moracnik]] 42°47.782'N, 017°24.024'E has two dangers to be avoided: firstly, the islet of Skoljic [[Polače#Skoljic|Skoljic]] 42°47.911'N, 017°23.893'E 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 [[Polače#rocky spit|rocky spit]] 42°47.694'N, 017°23.477'E 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 [[Polače#O. Ovrata|O. Ovrata]] 42°47.648'N, 017°24.623'E and then between O. Moracnik and O. Tajnik [[Polače#O. Tajnik|O. Tajnik]] 42°47.473'N, 017°23.907'E . This approach is free of dangers and is the one normally used by the ferries.
Entrance
Korčula (town) or Dubrovnik are the nearest year-round ports of entry.
Berthing
Yachts visiting Polače have four berthing options, depending on whether the crews wish to eat ashore or not:
Restaurants' quay
Restoran Dalmatina
Otok Kobrava [[Polače#Otok Kobrava|Otok Kobrava]] 42°47.353'N, 017°24.923'E , is the family-run Restoran Dalmatinac, which has four moorings for patrons and two buoys in depths of 4.0 – metres in in a delightfully peaceful and sheltered cove. Water, electricity and wifi available.Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Restaurant mooring buoys
Restaurant mooring buoys [[Polače#Restaurant mooring buoys|Restaurant mooring buoys]] 42°47.300'N, 017°22.760'E 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: In June 2014 these buoys were no longer in evidence and may have been removed.
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 [[Polače#W side of O. Moracnik|W side of O. Moracnik]] 42°47.700'N, 017°23.700'E O. Moracnik [[Polače#O. Moracnik|O. Moracnik]] 42°47.782'N, 017°24.024'E . You are dropping anchor in 10-12 metres here, so it is probably wise to take a line ashore. The shelter is good in most conditions except with very strong SW winds. Holding is good in sand and mud.Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water |  Restaurants' quay [[Polače#Restaurants' quay|Restaurants' quay]] At thet quay
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| Electricity |  Restaurants' quay [[Polače#Restaurants' quay|Restaurants' quay]] At thet quay.
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| Toilets | N/A (Not Available) |
| Showers | N/A |
| Laundry | N/A |
| Garbage | Limited. Take it with you |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | N/A |
| Bottled gas | None |
| Chandlers | None |
| Services | |
| Repairs | N/A |
| Internet | WiFi in most of the restaurants |
| Mobile connectivity | Is there mobile telephone signal such as G4, G3, GPRS on the island? How strong is the signal? Are there any blind spots? |
| Vehicle rentals |  In the Town [[Polače#In the Town|In the Town]] Cycle rental only
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Provisioning
in the village [[Polače#in the village|in the village]] 42°47.244'N, 017°22.273'E Basic provisions shops .
Eating out
[[Polače# | ]] 42°47.193'N, 017°22.825'E Several restaurants (six as of 2014) along the quays, most with their own moorings. Café/bar near the Roman castle ruins.
Transportation
Tourism
In Polače 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 125 kuna (2019) per person is payable on the mooring in Polače 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 a 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 the 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. One can also swim through the channel, but beware of the protruding rocks (not marked on any map!)
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
- Polače at the Wikipedia
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.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Polače and this page's details validated:
- July 2014 --Athene of Lymington
- July 2019 --User:dimrub
| 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 |
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
