1. Split – Milna (island Brač)
2. Milna (island Brač) – Komiža
3. Komiža – Rogoznica
4. Rogoznica – Zlarin
5. Zlarin – Kornati (Žut)
6. Kornati (Žut) – Veli Iž
7. Veli Iž – Molat (Brgulje)
8. Molat (Brgulje) – Sali
9. Sali – Piškera (Kornati islands)
10. Piškera (Kornati islands) – Zakanj
11. Zakanj – Vodice
12. Vodice – Primošten
13. Primošten – Drvenik
14. Drvenik – Split
Day one:
The Venetians called Milna „Valle di mille navi“ (the bay of a thousand ships) and it’s reputed as the safest and the most beautiful harbour of Brač. Bay Milna is located on the west side of the island, protected from all the winds. ACI Milna offers 170 wet berths, 15 dry berths and high quality service even to the most demanding sailors. Have in mind that even the Russians harboured their fleet in Milna dring the Napoleonic war and they battled French in major naval battle in the waters of Milna. The islet of Mrdulja, 2.5 miles west of Milna, can serve as a landmark when approaching.
Day two:
In Komiža’s quey there are 30 spaces for sailors so it’s very likely you’ll have to manage. It’s possible to drop the anchor which could be quite a challenge. First reason is because you are not protected of the southern wind and the second is because you have to be aware of chains at the bottom of the sea dropped by anchored fishermen’s boats.
Luckily, there are approximately seventy buoys owned by Nautical center. They are placed on both sides of the breakwater, cca 20 on the south side, and cca 50 on the north side. Whichever buoy you chose, you’ll enjoy the view to Komiža’s bay.
Day three:
There are no hazards in the approach to this bay, which is well known since the ancient times. Pick up a buoy; drop the hook, back onto the quay or choose a marina berth, Rogoznica welcomes all yachts. Rogoznica has several options for mooring. There is one of the most modern and the best equipped marinas in Croatia. Marina Frapa is a very popular choice and occupies the most sheltered part of the outer bay.
It is well sheltered from all winds in its deep bay, Frapa is located in the bay of Soline and has 10 piers with 462 wet and 150 dry berths, with capacity to host yachts of over 40 m. The Marina Frapa is open throughout the year. Opposite the marina is the place to head for. There are laid lines and power and water are available. This can be a very choppy place in the afternoon, but it is not always the easiest place to back on to as the prevailing wind causes significant sideways pressure so be prepared for anything before attempting your manoeuvres.
The third option is to head around the “island” and either pick up a buoy east of the causeway linking the old town to the mainland or anchor east of the buoy field or in the lee of the island. (Some yachts also choose to go past the buoy field and anchor in the head of the large bay near an old military jetty but there is no real advantage to this unless it is exceptionally busy.) Buoys placed east of the causeway have the best protection. There is a cable marked which you must avoid when anchoring. Try to anchor east and north of the buoy field just outside the small boat moorings for the best holding. Large fishing boats come and go at all times of the day and night so try and leave the western side of the inlet free.
Day four:
Known as the „golden island“ because it’s unspoiled beauty, Zlarin is most famous for its unique culture based upon harvesting coral and turning it into jewelry and ornaments. There are no cars on the island. The only settlement on the island lies on the Luka Zlarin bay and has a harbor (the only one on the island) and a sandy beach.
The approach to Luka Zlarin is free of hazards from W but from E and N there are two shoals 500 m and 1100 m NW of the headland at the northernmost tip of Zlarin Island. The shoals are both marked and a yacht may safely pass on either side of both of them with a good clearance. On entering the bay, keep towards the centre as there are further shoals off the NE side.
The harbor is protected by a large pier. Boats can berth at the outer side of the pier (not recommended in bad weather) which provides 20 berths with water and electicity supply. Visiting yachts can moor to the S side of the pier. N side of the pier is used by ferry and excursion boats. Water depth by the pier ranges from 1 m at the foot of the pier to 4,5 m at the head of the pier. There are also laid moorings on the first two out of three small jetties, situated by the east coast. Shallow to moderate draft yachts can also moor to the N side of the first two small jetties, where the water is around 2,5 m deep. Depth by the last jetty (the one closest to the coast) is only 1m deep, which is why only small local boats berth here. There are water and electricity connections on the first two jetties.
Alternatively, you can moor to one of the 11 mooring buoys by the west coast of the port. Holding is good in sand and weed. The harbor is exposed to northwesterly winds. It is well protected from all winds except strong W and NW winds, which cause swell and waves.
Day five:
Žut has great port which is a part of Kornati archipelago but it’s not a part of national part of Kornati.
ACI Marina Žut, on the NE coast of Žut Island, in a deep and over a mile wide bay, offers a safe shelter from all winds. However, during strongbura, it is recommended to moor alongside marina’s NW end of the pier, whereas during strong south winds it is more pleasant to moor on the SE end of the pier. The marina is open from April 1 to October 31 and has a 450 m long concrete pier with 135 wet berths, all of which are equipped with a limited supply of water and electricity. Water is supplied from 8 to 10 a.m., and electricity from 8 to 12 a.m. and again from 6 to 12 p.m. There are no dry berths, but there are 15 buoys east of the marina, which can be used when the marina is full. The marina can accommodate boats and mega yachts up to 40 m. Sea depth in the marina ranges from 1 to 4 m. Boats with a draft of more than 3 m can moor anywhere on the south pier or at the very end of the north pier. When the marina and it’s buoys are busy, you are forced to anchor. Depth in the middle of port is 30-50 m, for smaller vessels it’s reccomended to find a spot northern from the marina breakwater, at place called Pod Ražanj where depth is 7-8 m, and the seabed is sandy. This place provides shelter from W and NW winds, but S and E winds can cause some waves, so it’s better to drop an anchor at 10 m depth in sandy coves Žešnja or Babin bok. Cove Saručica, situated in SE part of port Žut, is considered as a good sandy anchorage. Numerous small quiet coves around of Kornati with crystal clear sea will provide you perfect place to escape the crowd and noise of urbanised everyday life. But be aware sailing close to the islands because of many reefs and shoals.
Day six:
Island of Iž is situated in Zadar archipelago, between islands of Ugljan and Dugi Otok. A trip to Iž is very popular as the island is surrounded by many lovely islets and clean beaches. Beside from sailing, fishing and agriculture, Iž iz famous for long tradition of pottery making, so you can buy unique souvenir „iški lopiž“ used for storing olive oil. Marina in Iž is located on NW side of the island, open all year round. It can accomodate boats up to 20 m in length. It has 50 wet berths and 150 dry berths, equipped with water and electricity. It’s safe from waves and winds because of 20 m long breakwater. The depth of the sea in marina ranges from 2 to 4 m. On the south side of the island, you’ll notice a cove called Vodenjak which provides you safe mooring and clear blue sea even in depths of 15 m.
Day seven:
The island of Molat has an area of just under 23 square kilometers. There is the old village 800m from the main pier. Brgulje offers drinking water and electricity. It is right place for family vacation.
There is an anchorage placed between islets Brguljski and Brgumula. It’s well protected from NW and SE winds. Aldo the place is under the consession and has cca 80 buoys, around the small Brgulje islet are often anchored multitude of sailboats, yachts and catamarans. However, you can always drop the anchor, it will hold well because of sand and weed. At the bottom of the bay, it’ll be more space for anchoring, but more silence aswell. Luckily, SW coast of the bay is uninhabited, as the part of SE coast, so you can find an anchorage isolated from other yachts.
Day eight:
Sali is a harbour situated on the SE coast of the island of Dugi Otok. Having islet of Lavdara on the east, Sali is well sheltered from all winds and waves, although during strongjugoand SE winds berths can be uncomfortable. The inner part of the harbour is also protected by the breakwater which is used by local fishing boats. The harbour has a total capacity of approximately 90 berths. The S quay offers approximately 50 berths for visiting yachts. The S side of the harbour is more exposed to N wind. Sali offers water and electricity supply but it is a seasonal port of entry. The nearest year-round port of entry is Zadar.
Day nine:
Kornati are perfect place to test out your navigation abilities and sailing skills.
ACI Marina Piškera is situated in the narrow channel between the uninhabited islands of Piškera and Panitula Vela, which is surrounded by the islands of Dugi Otok to the N, Murter to the E and Žirje to the S.The approach to Marina Piškera is mostly free of dangers, although there are numerous islets and reefs nearby so caution and a large-scale chart are needed.Note that the channel between Piškera and Vela Panitula at the NW end of the marina is dangerous because it is very shallow, rocky, and impassable by a yacht. The marina provides a safe shelter from north winds (bura), although it can get dangerous during strong south winds, causing large waves and swells. Marina has cca. 120 wet berths with limited supply of water and electricity because of marina’s isolated position.
ACI Marina Piškera is 2,5 – 3,5 m depth and is open from April 1 through October 31. Except this, note that mooring in the National park is only allowed in the designated bays, some of which are equipped with mooring buoys. Picturesque bays and coves attract sailors looking for the beauty of nature, isolation and peace.
Day ten:
In cove Žakan, on island of Ravni Žakan, you’ll find a restaurant in front of which there are moorings for about 25 yachts. You’ve already figure it out – if there’s no space on jetty, drop the anchor. It’s very popular place so often happens there are more than 50 boats at time.
Day eleven:
Vodice is very popular and lively tourist destination, placed 11 km NW of town of Šibenik. The town of Vodice is encircled by the sea, island and river. It is located close to two national parks: NP Krka and NP Kornati. The prevailing winds are the NE and NW winds, and winds from the S and SE. You should be careful with the NW wind as it can be gusty and sudden.
It is easily identified by Okit hill (133 m) topped by a small church, as well as by the town’s bell tower and the tall building of the hotel whose light is visible from afar at night. In addition, there is a tall stone monument in the shape of a torch N of the harbour entrance, the marina’s long breakwater made of stacked-up stones cca. 100 m east of the entrance to the harbour (which is also the entrance to the marina), and a light on the breakwater head – a red tower with a gallery. Southeast of the harbour light on the breakwater, at a distance of approximately 180 m, there is a shoal of about 1,3 m depth, marked by a light. The shoal can only be rounded from the right. When entering the port at night, watch out for the shoal – it is marked by the obscured sector of the Vodice harbour light.
ACI marina is located in the NE part of port of Vodice, protected by two breakwaters and open all year round. The marina has almost 400 moorings and approximately 50 dry berths
Vodice is famous of great nightlife so you can spend a night you won’t remember but also surely won’t forget.
Day twelve:
Primošten’s port has berths with moorings, electricity and water connection. The jetty with breakwater protects from the south and northwestern winds (jugo and maestral). On the promenade is approximately 20 berths but they are mostly taken. Dropping the anchor in front of it isn’t the best option because of the gravel seabed. But buoys are anchored in front of the local beach, along the north coast towards the east. The buoys provide comfortable and safe anchoring, especially during the winds. It’s possible to anchor between the breakwater and the shore. During the strong winds it’s safer to stay in Porat arm. If you want to have full comfort, there is a large Kremik marina in Primošten which is not overcrowded because it offers more than 400 berths and it is one of the safest Adriatic anchorages. If you want to enjoy the privacy, you can drop an anchor on the east side of the port but avoid anchoring during the maestral. Primošten is one of the hugely popular destination in Croatia you should visit. Once you dropped the anchor, you can enjoy swimming till sunset. At night take a long walk through town. After you get back on board, you’ll feel again like you are in some private anchorage.
Day thirteen:
There is a little picturesque lagoon on the SE side of Drvenik Veli island, protected by two islets: Krknjaš Veli and Krknjaš Mali. It’s shallow, the sea is clean and crystal clear, perfect for swimming and diving. Passage between Drvenik and Mali Krknjaš is very shallow. Between Veliki Krknjaš and Mali Krknjaš it’s only 2-2,5 m depth so it’s safest option to sail in from south. In the shallower part of the lagoon, 6-7 m deepth, seabed is sandy. Deeper, seabed is covered by weed. Holding is medium, but you’ll be sheltered from W and S winds, but during S and SW winds, longer stay isn’t recommended.
Day fourteen:
Hope you had great vacation full of memories. Take a walk trough Drvenik, pick some pebbles as souvenirs and get ready for sailing towards Split.
Milna: fuel station, ATM, resuaturant, water, electricity, exchange office, market, laundry
Komiža: anchorage, buoys, restaurant, ATM, Exchange office, market
Rogoznica: buoys, anchorage, exchange office, water, electricity, restaurant, market, fuel station, ATM, laundry
Zlarin: buoys, electricity, market, restaurant
Kornati (Žut): buoys, anchorage, restaurant, exchange office, market, ATM
Veli Iž: market, restaurant, water, electricity, exchange office
Sali: water, electricity, buoys, restaurant
Piškera: buoys, anchorage, restaurant, exchange office, market, ATM
Zakanj: restaurant, anchorage
Vodice: exchange office, ATM, laundry, restaurant, market, fuel station
Primošten: buoys, water, electricity, market, ATM, restaurant, exchange office, laundry
Drvenik: anchorage, market, restaurant