Rab Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia, 10 miles E of the long island of Cres and six miles S of Croatia’s largest island, Krk. The three-mile wide Paski Kanal separates Rab from the island of Pag to the south. Between the island and the mainland lies the infamous Velebitski Kanal, where winds in excess of 60 knots have been recorded during the fierce northerly winds known as the bora. The bora has stripped most of the vegetation from the E side of the island, but its western side, is by contrast, green and fertile, with pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. While less frequented than Krk or Cres islands, both of which are easily reached from the international airport of Rijeka, Rab has its fair share of tourism, attracted by its pine forests and sheltered beaches. Most of the island’s main attractions are found in the mediaeval street plan of Rab Town, famous for its churches and bell towers dating back as far as the 12th century. The Lopar Peninsula at the northern end of the island has over 20 beautiful beaches fringed with pine forests. For the visiting cruiser, the main settlement of Rab Town and its 142-berth marina are to be found on this sheltered western side, whereas eight miles NNW by sea is the larger 247-berth marina of Marina Supetarska Draga. In addition, there are several small harbours and anchorages, mostly along the sheltered west-facing coasts, but with very limited facilities for yachts.
Charts
British Admiralty
BA202 - Croatia, Kvarner, Kvarnerić and Velebitski Kanal
BA2719 - Croatia, Rt Marlera to Senj including Approaches to Rijeka
The principal berthing options for yachts visiting the island are the ACI-operated marinas at Rab Town and Marina Supetarska Draga or the anchorages in the various bays on the NW and SW sides of the island. There are no sheltered harbours or anchorages facing the Velebitski Kanal on the E side.
Ports
Key to symbols: || – port of entry || – harbour || – marina || – anchorage ||
100 wet berths, 70 dry berths, max draft 3 m. Water, electricity, toilets, showers, WiFi. Fuel station 5 km. Reastaurant in 300 m. Travel lift, some service.
anchorageU. Sv. Fumija [[Rab#U. Sv. Fumija|U. Sv. Fumija]] 44°45.740'N, 014°45.122'EU. Sv. Fumija44.76233143127831;14.752040279167304
The inlet of U Sv. Fumija extends for nearly a mile NW between the headland of Rt Frkanj and the town of Rab on the SW coast of Rab Island. The inlet offers good shelter in all but strong SE winds. A shoal marked with a light pillar, Plicina Frkanj, lies around 400 metres SE of the headland of Rt Frkanj and a second shoal, Plicina Vela Sika, a further 500 metres SE. The best approach is on a course half way between Rt Frkanj and Plicina Frkanj. Anchor wherever the depths are convenient. Depths in the inlet range from 3.0 metres at the head to 15 metres off the town. Holding is excellent in sand and mud.
There is a series of useful inlets extending for a mile W of the settlement of Suha Punta, which lies two miles W of Rab Town. Three of the inlets offer suitable anchorages for a cruising yacht in depths ranging from 5.0 - 10.0 metres. The holding is generally good in sand and weed. The most popular of the inlets is U. Sv. Kristofor (see co-ordinates above), the most westerly of the three. Shelter in the inlets is good in all conditions except S winds.
U. Sv. Mara
U. Sv. Mara/wiki/Rab#U._Sv._Mara
anchorageU. Sv. Mara [[Rab#U. Sv. Mara|U. Sv. Mara]] 44°46.906'N, 014°39.963'EU. Sv. Mara44.7817597134883;14.666058232370684
U. Sv. Mara is a two-pronged inlet situated one mile SE of the headland of Rt. Kalifront at the extreme NW corner of the island. The more northerly arm offers the better shelter, although shelter in both arms is good in all except S and SW winds. Depths are 3.0 - 7.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed.
Kamporska Draga is the westernmost of the three large inlets on the NW coast of the island. Almost two miles long, the inlet narrows towards its head, where there is a good anchorage off the village of Kampor. The approach is safe, although there are some isolated above-water rocks on the E side of the inlet. Shelter is good in all conditions except strong NW or N winds. Anchor in 5.0 - 8.0 metres off the village. Holding is good in sand.
Supetarska Draga is the middle and largest of the three inlets on the NW coast of Rab Island. In addition to the large marina of Marina Supetarska Draga at the head of the inlet, there are several attractive anchorages along its W side. The best anchorages are amongst the small islets at the NW corner of the inlet, where there are depths of 5.0 - 12.0 metres and excellent holding in sand. A detailed chart is a help in view of the various shoals and isolated rocks. Shelter is good here from most directions, although strong NW winds would be problematic and strong E winds would make the anchorages uncomfortable. Alternatively, anchor at the head of the inlet, immediately SW of the marina, where depths are 5.0 - 6.0 metres and the holding good in sand and mud.
The anchorage of U. Lopar is the easternmost of the three inlets on the NW coast. Shelter here is not as good as in the other two inlets and it would not be a good place to be in strong N/NW or S winds. However, in settled weather it is a useful anchorage on passage around the N end of Rab Island. Anchor at the head of the inlet off the village of Lopar on the E side. Depths here are 4.0 - 8.0 metres and holding is good in sand and weed. A car ferry uses the small pier at the village and it may be possible to moor bows or stern-to the inner side of the pier (although anchoring is more peaceful).
Rab Town, like most of the Croatian island capitals, is an attractive mediaeval town, with narrow streets and red-tiled rooftops punctuated by soaring church bell towers, and is well worth visiting for its churches dating back to the 12th century and 15th century Dominis Palace. Elsewhere around the island, the area around Lopar has the best beaches, surrounded by groves of pine trees, and the forests around the resort of Suha Punta have some good hiking trails.
Rooftops and belltowers of Rab Town
Berthing in Rab Town marina
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
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