Lastovo Island - Anchoring, Exploring & Saling

Lastovo is the closest check-in location to southern Italy being only 60 miles from Vieste and usually reachable within a daylight sail. Until recently, the island was a military outpost and forbidden to foreign yachts. Today it is open to cruisers, and has very little tourist development and is quiet, somewhat seedy and austere, but still interesting to visit. It has a nice secure anchorage and is a good place to hang out and prepare for the cruising season.

Velji Lago

The port of Velji Lago (42° 45'N; 16° 49'E) is a large bay on the south-western side of Lastovo. There are various suitable places for anchoring and mooring here.

The bay is best entered between the two islets of 'Vlašnik' en 'Bratin Otok'.

- At the southern side, you find the village of Ubli

- At the northern side, you’ll find Hotel Solitudo (and that’s how it feels there…)

- At the north-western side there is Jurjeva Luka

- At the western side, there is Kremena bay

Kremena

Anchored at  Kremena, the village is somewhat  interesting, despite its spooky bay. The spookiness is caused by the entrance of an old Yugoslav naval base station. Kremena is well protected against most winds, although Bura winds can cause a serious swell. This comes in through the small channel near the hotel.

Ubli

In Ubli and at the hotel you can moor along a quay, with electricity and water available. Various pilot guides say that mooring and anchoring is not allowed in Jurjeva Luka. However, the HHI Adriatic Sea Pilot (edition 2004) says that it is allowed, and various yachts were seen entering there.

A catamaran ferry uses the north part of this dock at times, and you will be asked to move by the port control gentleman if the ferry is due. You can tie up here for a while to clear with the authorities if the ferry is not due.

If you tuck into the south east corner near the fuel dock it is possible to stay overnight, with the blessing of port control.
The supermarket is located in the "center of town" which is about 100m to the east of the fuel dock. It was closed the day I was there. A lagoon anchorage with plenty of room.

Zaklopatica
Restaurants Augusta Insula and Triton have tailed lines to the quay with electric. (25 min walk to Lastovo Town)

Skrivena Luka

Skrivena Luka is sheltered from all winds and seas. Good holding in 5 to 15 m sand and mud bottom. A couple of konobas on the shore, one with moorage available.
Pat and Rosalind [ Morgan le Fay ] 15-Sep-2008

I tried to anchor in here in a south easterly gale when I came across from Mljet, but the gusts in the bay were quite severe, and the holding on the weed bottom did not instill any confidence, so I hightailed it to the secure anchorage near Ubli.
Otherwise a pleasant bay with a few konobas(tavernas) and holiday homes. It shallows off to the head of the bay in the north. Along the southern coast of Lastovo, eastward from Luka Velji Lago, you will find 'Skrivena Luka' (‘Hidden Harbour) bay.

Long ago, it was a favourite hide-out for pirates, being chased by the Venetians. The entrance to this bay is almost invisible from the sea. It is a beautiful mooring site. Below some pictures from this bay (source: website Lastovo Tourist Office).

Check in procedures

The most important thing is to proceed directly to check-in and do not attempt to anchor or dock anywhere else, no matter what time of day or night you arrive. People have been arrested and fined anchoring elsewhere after arriving late at night. You won't be able to check in until morning anyway, but at least you are in the check-in port. The port authority office is located next to the bar on the NE corner of the town dock and this should be your first stop.

I docked on this eastern dock and was allowed to stay there just for the check-in.

This is where you get your vignette documents and pay for the cruising permit. Check in is very friendly and easy. It cost me 1085 kunas (€150) for 10 meters. This is valid for 1 year.
I attached the vignette sticker to the starboard side of my mast, just above the deck, but I was warned that they don't come off very easily and could damage your paint.

You are also given a "LIST OF PERSONS", which is intended to limit unauthorised chartering in Croatia. You are meant to fill in every guest that sails with you during your stay in Croatia (not including guests at the dock). The number of possible guests is calculated by your boat size and the number of berths. When the list is full: no more guests. After clearing the port authority you need to walk around to the opposite side of the port to the small customs and immigration portable building. They are not always there and you may need to call +385 208 01021.Customs simply asks if you have anything to declare, and immigration stamps your passport. You, personally, are allowed 90 days in Croatia. The boat's vignette is valid for one year.

Check out procedures

Once again, the otherwise laid back Croatian authorities are extremely strict about check-out procedures.

Once you have cleared immigration, you must leave Croatia immediately by the most direct route. You cannot clear-out in the evening and leave in the morning. This is unfortunate, especially since one usually wants to make the Italian coast in daylight and this is 60 miles away.

First clear with the port authority, next to the bar on the east side of the port, and then with customs and immigration on the west side in the portable building.

I was told by fellow cruisers that they might allow me to check out in the evening and stay on the customs dock until morning, but they would not hear of it.

So I stayed next to the fuel dock and had to wait until they showed up a 0830 the next day to get my immigration stamp on the paperwork. This meant I had to push hard to make Vieste before dark.

(This article comes courtesy of WorldCruisingGuide.net)

Dalmatian Sailing Winds

Bura (Bora) Wind - The bura is an unpredictable wind that blows from the mainland towards the sea in gushes. It is relatively cold and dry, reaches moderate strength and can last several hours. It cleans and clears up the atmosphere, therefore visibility after the bura wind is excellent and the weather is sunny and clear.
Although the bura wind is generally a winter wind, it is present year round and mostly in the morning, reaching an average speed of 11 m/s. Given that it gushes from mountain slopes towards the sea, it comes most often from the northeast, that is from the NNE, NE or ENE directions. On the open sea, the bura often changes into the northwestern wind.
The bura is known for its "capriciousness", that is, its blowing in gushes, as well as sudden and often unexpected beginning. The gushes of wind can be accompanied by rumbling and exchange with calm or weak wind in periods of one or more minutes.
The summer bura appears mostly in the northern Adriatic in the area where the mountains are narrowest (Velebit). The coming of the bura can be recognized by the cloud cap that covers the top of Velebit or Biokovo Mountains before the beginning of the wind. The waves that are created by the Bura are short and move away quickly from the mainland, while their broken tops are transformed into white sea foam. Strong gushes can temporarily lift drops of water into the air creating a "sea dust".
Here's some practical advice when it comes to the Bura: if sailing along the coast of an island that is facing the mainland you run into a zone without vegetation, this is a sign that a strong Bura blows there.
If you are sailing during the Bura, excitement will abound because it is a great challenge that requires caution with regards to the preparation of both boat and crew.
Along with avoiding sailing close to windy coastlines, prepare yourself for possible maneuvering and arm yourself with patience, since you will probably have to change the combination of sails several times. Do not forget to put safety first. Sailing in small sailboats is recommended to top notch yachtsmen only.

Lebic blows from southwest, from the African coast – this wind is called “libeccio” in Italy and this means that it blows “from Libya”.
Levant or Levanat is a warm southeastern wind that brings moist air.
Jugo/ Siloko : Jugo/Siloko is a southwestern wind of moderate strength that blows from the sea towards the coast, and is present along the entire coastline, blowing in the ESE, SE or SSE directions. Generally, you will run into it more often when sailing south of the northern Adriatic and, as it belongs to the group of spring-fall winds that are accompanied by rain and humidity, the jugo does not blow often in the summer.
When it does, you can recognize it by the following characteristics: the wind blows with a gradual increase without interruptions, creating very beautiful, long waves without noise and foam. Only when a strong jugo blows do the waves pound against the shoreline, retreating towards the open sea with a rumble. Seeing as its wave are equal, and its constant strength and wind direction are its greatest challenge, the jugo allows for dynamic sailing with sails taut with constant wind that allows the sailboat to achieve great speed. 

Maestral - Maestral is a typical Adriatic summer northwestern wind and one of those winds that are characteristic for beautiful and stable weather. After the morning calm, almost always around noon during summer begins its pleasant circulation that can last, with increases, to dusk. The maestral can reach force 5 to 6 winds, while areas where this wind is most common are the Zadar and Korcula channels.
It is almost as though the maestral was created for pleasant and carefree sailing without maneuvering because its force is constant and its nature is predictable and mild. While the bura and jugo, each in their own way, offer yachtsmen excitement and challenge, the maestral guarantees pure pleasure during which you can enjoy in the sea without any worries. Due to the fact that, at sunset, the necessary conditions for the creation of the maestral disappear, at the first sign of darkness, a gentle night force 3 breeze starts to blow from the mainland to give way at sunrise to a calm sea that will, on a regular basis, once again around noon be replaced by the refreshing maestral.
Even though the Adriatic sea does not belong to seas that are dangerous and unpredictable, and sailing can take place all year round, nevertheless, the most favorable conditions are from mid-June to mid-October when even those with little experience can enjoy in sea adventures.

Nevera is a stormy wind on the sea, without constant direction, it is a passing and very strong wind. Nevera or neverin is a storm of short duration that are frequent weather conditions in the Adriatic.Nevera moves at very high speeds, and the faster it moves the more violent are the winds. Nevera usually features thunder, lightning, heavy rain or hail, and violent gusts of wind.The sudden nevera may be highly dangerous especially for small boats.

Pulenat is a moist west wind which is rather frequent during springtime.
Tremuntana ( Tramontana) - The name tramontana comes from the Italian word 'tramonto' which means sunset. It's a northern thermal wind (usually it's a little bit colder) and blows in the evening when the weather is stable. When it's on in the afternoon the wind is never stronger than 10-15 knots. However, the Tramontana is also a wind that comes after rain or a storm and it can be very dangerous and strong.

(This article has been written by Edita Pecotic for korculainfo.com under the title Winds around Korcula Island)

Dubrovnik ACI Marina

ACI marina Dubrovnik lies in the South Adriatic sea, near Komolac, about 2 NM from the entrance to the port of Gruž and 6 km the Dubrovnik City. The marina is open all year round and has a capacity of 350 berths in the sea and 150 boat places on land.
Reception, exchange, café, aperitive-bar, restaurant, tavern, tennis courts, swimming pool, toilets and showers, laundry service, supermarket , nautical gear store, repair shop, 60 t travel lift, parking lot, gas station (butane bottles available).

There are regular ferry services to Ancona, Pescara and Bari in Italy. The airport (Cilipi) has international flights. Bus lines lead to all major European cities. The marina is connected with the port of Gruž and the old city by bus lines.
The marinas has been awarded the “European Blue Flag”.

The Approach
The ACI marina is at the end of the inlet of Rijeka Dubrovacka. Easily identifiable is the monastery at Rožat (170 - 400 m long). There is a lighthouse (Fl 6s 7m 10M) on the northern cape of the islet, which can be rounded from either side. The latitude and longitude of the lighthouse are 42°40,2 N 18°03,5’ E. The entrance to the mouth of Rijeka Dubrovacka is marked by a lighthouse on Cape Kantafig (FlRG2s8m4M).
The course through the riverbed leads to the Mokošica lighthouse (Fl R 3s 6m 4M) and further to the ACI marina Dubrovnik. From Rožat the inlet becomes narrower and more shallow. Sea-depth is 3-5 m. The marina is lit up throughout the night. A long breakwater protects the marina from impending variations in sea level rises.

Note: Official navigational charts recommended (Official Navigational Charts - publisher HHI Split): 100-27, 100-28, 50-20, MK-26 and Plan 8

Address:	20236 Mokošica-Dubrovnik
Phone:	+385 20 455 020
Fax:	+385 20 451 922
Email:	m.dubrovnik@aci-club.hr

(This article comes courtasy of World Marine Guide.)