Krk Island lies in the bay of Rijeka in Croatia, between the mainland to the east and the long island of Cres to the west, from which it is separated by a three mile wide strait. Its northern extremity is connected to the mainland by a road bridge with a clearance of 45 meters, which carries busy traffic between the city of Rijeka and its international airport at the NE end of the island. Croatia’s largest island, it is also one of the most popular with tourists, especially from Austria, Germany and Slovenia, attracted by its good transport connections. The N and NW coasts of the island are mostly steep-to and rocky with few settlements, but the S and SW parts experience a milder climate, with more forestry and agriculture and the main settlements of Krk Town, Punat and Baska. The island’s main harbor of Krk Town has moorings for visiting yachts and good shelter in all but strong southerlies, while the inlet of Punat two miles E contains an 800-berth marina, Marina Punat, which is very popular with over-wintering yachts. Several smaller harbors and anchorages around the coasts of the island can be visited in suitable conditions, but few have any facilities for yachts. The island’s main attractions include the 13th - 16th century Krk Cathedral and Venetian castle, both in Krk Town, and the lovely medieval village of Vrbnik on the E coast, famous for its delicious zlahtina white wine. The resort of Baska on the S coast is popular with hikers, attracted by its mountain trails, while the inlet of Punat contains a picturesque 16th century Franciscan monastery on a small island in the center of the inlet. Weather Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split. Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast. For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia. Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration): Krk Town is not a port of entry. The nearest port of entry is Rijeka. Berthing options: The principal berthing options for yachts visiting the island are the town quay and separate visitors’ moorings at Krk Town, the large marina of Marina Punat, the small harbours of Malinska, Njivice, Omisalj, Silo, Vrbnik and Baska and several anchorages offering good shelter depending on wind direction. Click on link at top right of page for Interactive map of harbours and anchorages or for full details see below. Ports: Krk Town harbour Marina Punat Malinska harbour Njivice harbour Omisalj harbour Silo harbour Vrbnik harbour Baska harbour Anchorages: Note: U. (short for Uvala) = cove. Click on Map of harbours and anchorages on Krk Island for the location and summary details of each anchorage or on the co-ordinates below for a simple map. U. Sv. Fuska World icon.png 45°02.32′N, 14°28.85′E The inlet of U Sv. Fuska lies four miles W of Krk Town and offers good shelter in its two branches in all conditions except southerlies. A row of electricity pylons on the slopes above is a good landmark on the approach. Anchor wherever there is space among the fishing boats in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. It may be advisable to take a line ashore to prevent swinging. Holding is good in sand and mud. Luka Torkul World icon.png 45°02.8′N, 14°28′E The inlet of Luka Torkul lies five miles NW of U. Sv. Fuska on the W coast of the island. The head of the inlet is protected by two short piers. Depths in the approach are 6.0 - 10 metres and around 3.0 metres at the head. Anchor and take a line ashore to either of the piers or to the shore at the head of the inlet. Holding is moderate in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all winds except from S and SW. U. Vala Jana World icon.png 45°03.69′N, 14°27.0′E The wooded inlet of U. Vala Jana is situated 1.5 miles NW of Luka Torkul. At the head of the inlet is a sailing club with a series of small pontoons and quays. Anchor wherever suitable in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. Holding is moderate in sand and weed. Shelter is good in all but SW winds. Zaton Soline World icon.png 45°09.5′N, 14°37.3′E Zaton Soline is a wide, landlocked bay lying on the NE coast of Krk Island, opposite the mainland town of Crikvenica. The narrow entrance is marked with a stone light tower to starboard and a red metal pillar to port. A further port marker marks a reef at the inner end of the entrance channel. Once inside, there is a small and very crowded harbour at the SE side of the bay with some moorings managed by Marina Punat. Alternatively, anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres at the SW end of the bay or in the cove on the NE side, E of the lines of fish stakes and clear of the wreck. Beware of the shallow spit with less than 2.0 metres depth at the outer end that extends form the small harbour almost to the islet in the centre of the bay. Holding is excellent in mud and the inlet provides all-round shelter. U. Petrina World icon.png 45°07.2′N, 14°39.95′E U. Petrina is a small cove situated on the E coast of the island, two miles S of the harbour of Silo. Anchor as close to the head as depths allow, probably in 3.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is fair to good in sand and weed. If there is any swell, it may be worth taking a line ashore. Shelter is good in most conditions but the anchorage is open SE. U. Sv. Marak World icon.png 45°06.2′N, 14°40.23′E U. Sv. Marak is a small cove on the S side of a distinctive promontory, about one mile S of U. Petrina. The promontory can be identified by a ruined chapel on the top. Anchor in 5.0 metres and take a line to the pier or one of the three stone bollards in the bay. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter is good in W and N winds but poor in winds from S and E. Luka Srscica World icon.png 45°04.2′N, 14°44.1′E Luka Srscica lies between two promontories on the SE side of Krk Island, three miles ESE of the harbour of Vrbnik. There are dangerous rocks to be avoided in the approach from both N and E. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. It may be advisable to take a line ashore if the winds are variable. The holding is good in sand and mud. Shelter here is good in all winds except N or NW, when it becomes untenable. U. Mala Luka World icon.png 44°59.5′N, 14°48.15′E U. Mala Luka is a sheltered, L-shaped inlet at the SE extremity of Krk Island, opposite the town of Senj on the mainland. A small islet, O. Zecevo, lies 1.5 miles due E of the inlet. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 metres and take a line ashore. The holding is very patchy since much of the bottom is rocky, but it is possible with care to locate a sandy patch. Shelter here is excellent, although in view of the holding it is probably not a place to be in extreme weather. U. Vela Luka World icon.png 44°58.7′N, 14°48.55′E U. Vela Luka is a deep inlet ‘round the corner’ from U. Mala Luka. Nearly a mile long, it cuts a deep scar into the rocky promontory that marks the SE end of Krk Island. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is poor in sand and shingle, so it is not advisable as an anchorage if bad weather is forecast. Shelter is excellent from all winds except southerlies. Marinas & Yacht Clubs: Marina Punat Marine Stores See Marina Punat Repairs/Yards Fuel, Water, & Electricity: Fuel in Krk Town. Water on quay in Krk Town. Water and electricity in Marina Punat and on Malinska quay and pontoon.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 06:41:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015