Wintering in Croatia

[Ananda2]

Hi, sailors

Ready to sail the Adriatic next summer.

Any of you can recommend a port/marina in Croatia for wintering.

Are there time restrictions for leaving the boat in that country?

IŽd appreciate advice about customs paperwork.

[VetMike]

Dubrovnik is nice as is Split. Just be aware that Croatia has become about as corrupt as most Caribbean countries or as Mexico and crime has been increasing there. If you will be wintering over I would recommend Dubrovnik.

[Ananda2]

Thank you, VetMike
I agree about the security problems in Croatia.
Any advice about inmigration-customs issues for a longterm stay in that country?

[AlexHallMalta]

Hi,
Have spent much time in Croatia and the other republics. I m from the Med myself. Security can be an issue but common sence should highlight problem areas. Dubrovnik was mentioned for wintering....the harbour is north of the town and called Gruz. Very safe from weather. Two options here, short term one can stay at the town quay, busy and with much foot traffic, and reasonably cheap. Second, up the Dubrovnik river, beneath the suspension bridge, there is a well found marina, very good security, reasonably priced and ususally with other long term cruisers wintering over. As for Authorities, one needs to obtain from customs a decleration that allows vessels to remain in Croat waters for longer periods than Cruising license allows. If you are in the area sail down to Cavtat and enquire with local harbour master there for winter stays, more informal, pretty and more of a village than a town. I have spent some time in Kotor just further down the coast in Montenegro, and cannot reccomend it and the people there highly enough, small marina at town dock but safe and used by charter fleets for storage

[Ananda2]

Hi, Alex

That's a very helpful info endeed. Thanks a lot.

Actually, I chosed Cavtat as my port of entry in Croatia I. So, I can clear customs there and, as you suggest, request authorization for a long stay in Croatia.

By the way, do you know "Orikum Marina" in Albania? Could be this marina a convenient port of call between Corfu and Cavtat?

[Ananda2]

Alex, do you mind "ACI Marina" as the port you recommend (2 nm up the river) instead Gruz?

[PCP]

Hi! Dubrovnik marina is a long way to town. You have to take a bus and in the winter it does not get much sun (shadowed by the mountains).

I don't know about winter places, but annual places are difficult to find and expensive.

If you have not find out already you can see the prices for wintering in all ACI marinas here. There are considerable differences in prices from one marina to another:

Adriatic Croatia International Club // aci-club.hr

Regards

Paulo

[Ananda2]

Hi, Paulo. Tank you
Would you recommend the Split area instead Dubrovnik?
I'm thinking to check the new Kastela Marina for wintering. It has a very convenient location, just 8 km away from Split's airport. Do you have any information or opinion on this marina?

Regards

[PCP]

Well, I don't know the marina but I am going to know because I am going to pick there a charter this summer . I have heard that it is well protected but the town is not interesting. You are going to leave the boat there or are you going to live in the boat?

If you are going to live in the boat I would try Split or Zadar. Split is a lovely town and even if the Marina is at some distance to the center of town is not as distant as in Dubrovnik and the marina has a great view to the city. You have also Zadar, also a very nice old town full of charisma. If you can get a place at marina Zadarska you will be right in the center. Old town is just in front Lovely place.

Look both places at the Google earth and explore the photos.

Regards

Paulo

[Ananda2]

My intention is to leave the boat in Croatia during the winter, so the town itself is not a big problem. Most important for me is the shelter and security the port/marina offers. The proximity to an airport is essential also.

If you visit Kastela Marina before August, 15 please, let me know your impression.

I'll search some info about Marina Zadarska, except you discard it for wintering. Would you?

Thank you