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Rovinj on the Istrian Adriatic coast, Croatia
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Croatia · Adriatic

Istria & Kvarner

Venetian harbour towns, green islands and short passages – ideal for beginners.

Rovinj an der istrischen Adriaküste, Kroatien · Photo: Florian Hirzinger · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The sailing area

Istria & Kvarner · Croatia · Adriatic

Istria and the Kvarner Bay are only a few hours' drive from Central Europe, making them the classic cruising ground for newcomers to the Adriatic. Istria's west coast offers picturesque towns such as Rovinj and Poreč, while the Kvarner islands of Cres, Lošinj, Krk and Rab beckon with dense pine forests and sheltered bays.

Distances are short, and the infrastructure, with its ACI marinas, is excellent. Watch out for the Bora: this cold downslope wind from the northeast can strike suddenly and fiercely in the Kvarner – check the weather forecast daily.

Nautical chart with anchorages

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Anchorages in Istria & Kvarner

Bays, harbours and mooring fields in Croatia. Coordinates are approximate and not for navigation. Google Maps shows a place search, not a verified anchoring position.

  1. 1

    Rovinj – Sv. Katarina

    Bay · 45.079° N, 13.625° E

    Anchor off the island with views of Rovinj's old town.

    Search in Google Maps
  2. 2

    Limski Kanal

    Bay · 45.130° N, 13.680° E

    Fjord-like inlet, peaceful and famous for oysters.

    Search in Google Maps
  3. 3

    Uvala Kolorat (Brijuni)

    Bay · 44.900° N, 13.775° E

    Near Brijuni National Park; registration is required to visit the islands.

    Search in Google Maps
  4. 4

    Ilovik – Channel

    Mooring field · 44.459° N, 14.549° E

    Mooring buoys between Ilovik and Sv. Petar, very sheltered.

    Search in Google Maps
  5. 5

    Uvala Balvanida (Lošinj)

    Bay · 44.511° N, 14.493° E

    Turquoise water, beach bar, good shelter from the Bora.

    Search in Google Maps
  6. 6

    Susak

    Harbour · 44.513° N, 14.306° E

    Sandy island with an unusual landscape and a small harbour.

    Search in Google Maps
  7. 7

    Uvala Sv. Ivan (Unije)

    Bay · 44.638° N, 14.242° E

    Secluded bay on the sparsely inhabited island of Unije.

    Search in Google Maps
  8. 8

    Rab – Lopar / Paradise Beach

    Bay · 44.835° N, 14.734° E

    Shallow sandy bottom, child-friendly, suitable only in calm weather.

    Search in Google Maps
  9. 9

    Krk – Uvala Soline

    Bay · 45.157° N, 14.617° E

    Deeply indented bay with therapeutic mud, well sheltered from the Bora.

    Search in Google Maps

Suggested itineraries

Kvarner-Inselrunde

7 days · approx. 120 sm

A classic week from Pula with short legs, secluded islands and lively Mali Lošinj.

  1. Pula
  2. Unije
  3. Susak
  4. Mali Lošinj
  5. Ilovik
  6. Rab
  7. Cres
  8. Pula

Coordinates are approximate and do not replace an official nautical chart or an up-to-date harbour guide.

Passage planning for Istria & Kvarner

If you're planning a sailing trip in Istria & Kvarner you should familiarise yourself with the wind, weather and local conditions beforehand. The best time to visit is usually during the season May to October. The difficulty level for this sailing area is “Beginner” – so plan your daily legs to leave enough time for changes in the weather, breaks and relaxed anchoring.

Wind and weather

Typical conditions in this sailing area: Maestral (NW) in the afternoon, occasional Bora (NE) and Jugo (SE). Check the latest weather report and the forecast for the next few days every morning. Many bays only offer shelter from certain directions. Having an alternative anchorage up your sleeve makes any sailing trip much more relaxed.

Anchoring with a catamaran

A catamaran like our Lagoon 42 can reach shallower bays thanks to its shallow draught. Still, pay attention to the seabed: seagrass meadows are protected and provide poor holding. Sandy patches are the better choice. Let out enough chain, rig an anchor bridle and check that the anchor is holding securely after setting it.

Before casting off

For Croatia get up-to-date nautical charts and a harbour guide, and find out about local fees, protected areas and regulations. The map and coordinates on this page are planning aids, but do not replace navigation on board.