Marinas in Croatia
Croatia Yachting Nautical Informations
Winds & Climate in Adriatic
Croatia has two climate zones; in the hinterland it is mainly a moderate continental one, partly even mountainous, while the area along the coast enjoys the mild Mediterranean climate with many sunny days, dry and hot summers, mild and rainy winters.
The average temperature along the coast is from 5-10°C in winter; 26–30°C in summer. The sea temperature in winter is 12°C, and around 25°C in summer.
Main winds in the Adriatic
– maestral (northwesterly)
– bura (northeasterly)
– jugo (southeasterly)
The maestral is a northwesterly wind that appears in periods of high air pressure, usually around 11a.m. and brings good weather. It can reach a force up to 5 and causes rough seas. It dies down in the late afternoon, and the following day – after a calm night – starts blowing at a similar force as the previous day.
Burin is a wind that blows from the opposite direction of the maestral. It usually blows at night, mostly from the north, northeast in the northern Adriatic, and from the east or southeast in the southern Adriatic. It is strongest before dawn and soon dies down afterwards.
Bura is a strong northeasterly wind that appears in periods of high air pressure, it blows from the mainland towards the sea in powerful gusts. It is hardly predictable in spite of early warning: the coastal mountain peaks are covered by small clouds and the sea surface in the northeastern part spumes. The greater the distance from the coast, the weaker the force of gusts is. In the summer the bora usually blows only a few hours, but sometimes it can last up to a day or two. It can be extremely strong in the Kvarner area, along the Velebit Channel, and around Šibenik, Split, Pelješac and Dubrovnik.
Jugo (scirocco) is a warm and humid southeasterly wind that from October to the end of January brings a lot of rain. Calm sea and a heavy cloud cover in the south are signs of the jugo slowly approaching and raising high waves. The jugo often blows for several days (in summer up to 3 days, in winter up to 3 weeks), while rough seas can last a longer period. From time to time this wind also brings the reddish-brown sand from Africa. It should be remembered that the jugo can change its direction in just a few minutes and turn into a very strong bora (northeasterly wind). The jugo is a typical wind of the Southern Adriatic where it lasts longer than in its northern part.
Nevera is a very strong westerly wind that brings bad weather. It mostly blows in summer. It strikes suddenly and vehemently making the sea rough, but mostly lasts shortly. It is usually accompanied by thunder. When its stops blowing the air is fresh and pleasant. It is most common in the Northern Adriatic.
Other winds in the Adriatic are: lebić – southwesterly, levant – strong southeasterly, tramontana – cold northerly.
High and stable air pressure usually brings winds that during the night blow from the mainland, and daily winds that blow from the sea.
Weather Reports – Adriatic
The Marine Meteorological Center, over coastal radio stations, broadcasts global (entire Adriatic), regional (for certain areas, e.g. Kvarner, Kvarneric, the Velebit Channel, Split area, open sea of the Central Adriatic) or local weather forecasts (ports, anchorages, marinas, etc.)
Forecast 12+12 or 24 hours broadcast by:
Station RIJEKA RADIO (9AR) :
Channel : 24 – Power : 0.02 kW – Frequency Mark : A ; Type of emission : F3E
Emission time – English and Croatian, time: 05.35, 14.35, 19.35
Station SPLIT RADIO (9AS) NAVTEX MARK (Q)
A) Channels : 07, 21, 28 – Power : 0.02 kW – Frequency Mark : A ; Type of emission : F3E
B ) Channel : 518 – Power : 0.5 kW – Frequency Mark : B ; Type of emission : F1B
Emission time – English and Croatian, time: 05.45, 12.45, 19.45
Station DUBROVNIK RADIO (9AD) :
Channels : 04, 07 – Power : 0.02 kW – Frequency Mark : A ; Type of emission : F3E
Emission time – English and Croatian, time 06.25, 13.20, 21.20
NON – STOP weather forecasts:
– PULA Ch 73 Northern Adriatic – west coast of Istria
– RIJEKA Ch 69 Northern Adriatic – eastern part
– SPLIT Ch 67 Central Adriatic – eastern part
– DUBROVNIK Ch 73 Southern Adriatic – eastern part
As part of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System – GMDSS has been accepted. Within the GMDSS system is the NAVTEX system (system of maritime meteorological and navigational warnings).
Through the coastal radio station SPLIT Croatia performs the activities of NAVTEX.
Station SPLIT RADIO (9AS) NAVTEX MARK (Q)
B: NAVTEX, English, time: 02.50, 06.50, 10.50, 14.50, 18.50, 22.50
INTERNET SITE: http://meteo.hr/index_en.html
Weather forecasts in Croatian, English, Italian and German
http://prognoza.hr/prognoze_en.html
At the reception desk in nearly all marinas (+24+96 hours) and Harbor Master’s Offices (+24+48 hours)
Yachting Laws in Croatia – Rules and Regulations :
The skipper of the boat entering the Republic of Croatia by sea shall by shortest way enter the nearest port open for international traffic as to carry out borderline control, obtain a vignette and certify the crew list at the nearest Harbor Master’s Office or its branch office.
The skipper of the boat entering the Republic of Croatia by land or whose vessel is tended in a marina or other approved site in the Republic of Croatia shall, before leaving port, obtain the vignette and certify the crew list at the Harbor Master’s office or its branch office.
The vignette is not obligatory for boats whose length is less then 2.5m or whose overall engine power does not exceed 5 kW.
The vessel shall be marked by a vignette at the visible place whereas the vignette is valid one year upon its issue.
Boat Handling
The skipper shall possess evidence that he is competent for boat handling pursuant to the national regulations of the flag state or an appropriate certificate pursuant to the regulations of the Republic of Croatia.
If, pursuant to the national regulations of the flag state, the skipper does not need to possess evidence that he is competent for boat handling, he shall obtain appropriate evidence pursuant to the regulations of the Republic of Croatia by January 1, 2006 the latest.
All boats sailing to Croatia shall possess the following original documents:
– vignette
– certified crew list and passenger list
– certified list of persons aboard (for vessels where change of crew is foreseen while sailing in Croatia)
– certificate of seaworthiness
– evidence that the skipper is competent for boat handling
– evidence of third party insurance policy (for vessels whose engine power exceeds 15 kW)
– ownership certificate or authorization for the use of vessel
Obtaining a vignette comprises payment of the following fees:
– navigation security fee
– security navigation facilities fee (Light Dues)
– maritime information chart fee
– administrative tax
Fees:
The navigation security fee when obtaining a vignette depends on the length of vessel and is as follows:
For boats:
Up to 2.5 m long and engine over 5kW 140 kn
2.5-4 m long 210 kn
4-5 m long 280 kn
5-6 m long 350 kn
6-7 m long 525 kn
7-8 m long 630 kn
8-9 m long 735 kn
9-10 m long 840 kn
10-11 m long 945 kn
For yachts:
11-12 m long 1050 kn
12-15 m long 1225 kn
15-20 m long 1400 kn
20-30 m long 1575 kn
over 30 m long 1750 kn
The fees above are reduced by 10% for each consecutive vignette up to max 50% reduction.
The lighthouse fee is 2 USD/m of length for foreign sports and pleasure boats, 4.90 USD/m of length for foreign yachts and 6 USD/m of length for foreign boats engaged in the Adriatic in commercial activities. The paid light due is also valid for a one year period.
The administrative tax is 40 kn.
Maritime information chart fee – as per the tariff of the Croatian Hydrographic Institute.
Maritime Border Crossings
Permanent maritime border crossings:
Umag, Poreč, Rovinj, Pula, Raša (Bršica), Rijeka, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Ploče, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Vela Luka , Ubli.
Seasonal maritime border crossings (open from April 1 – October 31):
ACI marina Umag, Novigrad, Sali, Božava, Primošten, Hvar, Stari Grad (Hvar), Vis, Komiža and Cavtat.
Registration Of Persons On Board
The skipper of the vessel where a change of crew is foreseen while sailing in the Croatian waters shall when obtaining a vignette procure a list of persons that will be staying aboard during the validity of the vignette whereas the overall number of persons on the list shall not be greater than twice the vessel’s unit capacity increased by 30%. The list of persons shall not contain persons staying aboard while the vessel is in port or at anchor. The list of persons may be filled in completely when obtaining the vignette or can also be filled in subsequently at the first embarkation of the person from the list the latest. If the list is filled in subsequently it shall be certified each time at the Harbors Master’s Office or Branch Office.
The number of changes in the list is not limited.
If the skipper of the vessel does not intend to change the crew during the validity of the vignette while sailing in Croatian waters no further registration at the Harbor Master’s Office or Branch Office is needed.
Tourist Tax
Daily tourist tax
The daily tourist tax depends on the destination and the period of year and is calculated per person and per overnight.
All towns and cities in the Republic of Croatia are grouped into four price categories: A, B, C and D. In cities and towns belonging to the A category the daily tourist tax is 7.00 kuna in high season, 5.50 kuna in early-season and late-season and 4.50 kuna in low season. In all cities and towns from the B category the daily tourist tax is 6.00 kuna in high season, 4.50 kuna in early-season and late-season and 3.50 kuna in low season. Cities and towns in C category have a daily tourist tax of 5.00 kuna in high season, 3.50 kuna in early-season and late-season and 2.50 kuna in low season. Cities and towns in D category have a daily tourist tax of 4.00 kuna in high season, 2.50 kuna in early-season and late-season and 2.00 kuna in low season.
The duration of high season, early-season and late-season varies from county to county.
Tourist tax flat rate
Holders of an annual or several-years berth in marinas of the Croatian Adriatic shall pay the tourist tax flat rate. The tourist tax flat rate for 2005 is 400.00 kuna. The flat rate is paid once a year and covers all stays of the owner and his guests in his domicile marina regardless of the duration of stay. All holders of the Agreement on annual berth shall pay the flat rate regardless of whether the agreement covers the sea berth or storage of vessel on land.
While staying outside the contractual marina, the vessel owner as well as all other persons on board shall pay the daily tourist tax for each day of stay in a marina or port.
Entering a vessel in the croatian boat register
(boats coming under the croatian flag)
Pursuant to the Croatian law all boats over 2.5 m long or boats whose overall engine power is greater than 5 kW shall be entered in the boat register. The boats are entered in the Register by the Harbor Master’s Office or its branch office.
A boat wholly or partly owned by a foreign citizen or person without citizenship and without residence in Croatia may be entered in the Croatian boat register at his request, if the boat has not been entered in the foreign register and if mostly staying in the sea of the Republic of Croatia.
In order to enter a boat in the Croatian boat register the following documents are required:
– boat ownership certificate (purchase agreement, receipt, customs declaration, construction certificate, etc.)
– document as evidence of displacement and deadweight of boat intended for commercial activities
– evidence of registration for commercial activity boats (e.g. charter)
– removal from the register as evidence that the boat has been deleted from the foreign register, if the boat is being transferred from a foreign register into the Croatian register
– copy of obligatory insurance policy if boat engine exceeds 15 kW
– evidence of paid customs and tax obligations
– evidence of see worthiness (inspection record, construction certificate, etc.)
Having entered the boat, a navigation permit is issued that must be kept on board at all times.
Sources of information : mmpi.gov.hr
Maritime Traffic Regulations
The Harbor Master’s Office is the competent body in charge of order in ports and all other parts of internal sea waters and the Croatian territorial sea waters.
When entering and leaving port, at the posted sign for reduced speed, beside places where coastal and underwater works are being carried out, as well as at marked dive sites, boats shall navigate with minimum speed as to avoid any damage possibly caused by waves due to navigation.
Sports and other activities may be carried out on waterways only with the approval of the Harbor Master’s Office.
When navigating boats shall not approach the coast as follows:
– public transport vessels at a distance less than 300m
– pleasure boats at a distance less than 200m
– motor boats and sailing boats at a distance less than 50m
Boats, motor boats and sailing boats may navigate at a distance even closer to the coast if required so by the configuration of the waterway, but they shall reduce their speed to such enabling them easy and quick stopping or turning.
Rowboats may navigate at a distance less than 50m from the coast.
In the area near beaches, all boats shall navigate at a distance greater than 50m from the enclosure of the marked bathing area i.e. 150m from the coast of a natural beach.
Speedboats, jet propelled boats and hovercraft may skim only in an area where such is permitted, but not closer than 300m from the coast.
Areas where skimming and water-skiing is forbidden shall be determined by and marked by the Harbor Master’s Office.
Wind surfing is not allowed in the area of port entrances, in narrow water route areas, at a distance less than 50m from the coast of a natural beach nor within tended beaches.
Persons engaged in spear fishing or diving shall pull behind them along the sea surface a yellow or orange balloon with a diameter not less than 30cm.
The owner or holder of a UKW radio station aboard the yacht or boat shall not transmit false or incorrect signals and information particularly for danger, emergency, safety or identification.
Non-compliance with the traffic regulations is subject to penalty.
Master Harbour Offices and branch Offices in Croatia
Harbor Master’s Office Pula
Tel: 052 222 867
Fax: 052 222 037
Branch office:
Umag, Tel: 052 741 662
Novigrad, Tel: 052 757 035
Porec, Tel: 052 431 663
Rovinj, Tel: 052 811 132
Rasa, Tel: 052 875 127
Rabac, Tel: 052 872 085
Harbor Master’s Office Rijeka
Tel: 051 214 031, 214 474
Fax: 051 211 660
Harbor Master: Tel: 051 214 113
Branch office:
Bakar, Tel: 051 761 214
Moscenička Draga, Tel: 051 737 501
Punat, Tel: 051 854 065
Baska, Tel: 051 856 821
Opatija, Tel: 051 711 249
Kraljevica, Tel: 051 281 330
Crikvenica, Tel: 051 242 321
Novi Vinodolski, Tel: 051 244 345
Rab, Tel: 051 724 103
Malinska, Tel: 051 859 346
Silo, Tel: 051 852 110
Cres, Tel: 051 571 111
Mali Losinj, Tel: 051 231 438
Susak, Tel: 051 239 001
Omisalj, Tel: 051 842 053
Krk, Tel: 051 221 380
Harbor Master’s Office Senj
Tel/Fax: 053 881 301
Branch office:
Sveti Juraj, Tel: 053 883 006
Karlobag, Tel: 053 694 030
Jablanac, Tel: 053 887 049
Novalja, Tel: 053 661 301
Harbor Master’s Office Zadar
Tel: 023 254 888, 254 880
Fax: 023 250 235
Harbor Master:
Tel: 023 250 758
Branch office:
Biograd na moru, Tel: 023 383 210
Preko, Tel: 023 286 183
Silba, Tel: 023 370 047
Starigrad-Paklenica, Tel: 023 369 262
Novigrad, Tel: 023 375 060
Sali, Tel: 023 377 021
Pag, Tel: 023 611 023
Bozava, Tel: 023 377 601
Harbor Master’s Office Sibenik
Tel: 022 217 214, 217 216
Fax: 022 217 378
Harbor Master: Tel: 022 214 261
Branch office:
Vodice, Tel: 022 443 055
Rogoznica, Tel: 022 559 045
Primosten, Tel: 022 570 266
Tisno, Tel: 022 439 313
Murter, Tel: 022 435 190
Harbor Master’s Office Split
Tel: 021 355 488
Fax: 021 361 298
Harbor Master:
Tel: 021 341 438
Branch office:
Trogir, Tel: 021 881 508
Omis, Tel: 021 861 025
Makarska, Tel: 021 611 977
Rogac, Tel: 021 654 139
Milna, Tel: 021 636 205
Supetar, Tel: 021 631 116
Sumartin, Tel: 021 648 222
Hvar, Tel: 021 741 007
Starigrad, Tel: 021 765 060
Jelsa, Tel: 021 761 055
Sucuraj, Tel: 021 773 228
Vis, Tel: 021 711 111
Komiza, Tel: 021 713 085
Bol, Tel: 021 635 903
Harbor Master’s Office Ploce
Tel/Fax: 020 679 008
Harbor Master:
Tel: 020 679 541
Branch office:
Metković, Tel: 020 681 681
Harbor Master’s Office Dubrovnik
Tel: 020 418 989, 418 987, 413 222
Fax: 020 418 987
Harbor Master:
Tel/Fax: 020 418 987
Branch office:
Komolac, Tel: 020 452 421
Trpanj, Tel: 020 743 542
Ston, Tel: 020 754 661
Slano, Tel: 020 871 177
Trstenik, Tel: 020 748 100
Cavtat, Tel: 020 478 065
Sobra, Tel: 020 745 040
Korcula, Tel: 020 711 178
Vela Luka, Tel: 020 812 023
Lastovo, Tel: 020 805 006
