Just like in Rome, the high walls of the Coliseum in the Croatian Pula outshine the ACI Marina right in front of the old town. The second marina of Pula called Marina Veruda is situated some kilometres outside the town. The old town marina is very central, close to historic monuments, restaurants, fish, meat and vegetable markets. The advantage of Marina Veruda on the contrary is its safe and quiet situation.
Our crew arrived with a small bus.
The distance from Munich is about 600 kilometres. The dinner was perfect and put us in a good mood for our upcoming two weeks of sailing. On Sunday morning we turned to the southeast and passed by the “porer” (the lighthouse). Then we sailed across the Kvarner channel, which is famous among experienced Croatia sailors under the Bora winds. We had luck with the Maestral blowing – the northwest good weather wind!
Our first destination is the small
island Susak. The few berths are almost always occupied; the offshore buoy area is not safe when the Bora blows. But this sand island is known for its very special wine.
The marina of
Mali Losinj has its problems with the Bora, too, which can create unpleasant waves. The swimming pontoons are narrow and close to each other. But the town is beautiful.
Ilowik is situated close to the southern end of
Losinj. You can moor at one of the buoys or at the ferryboat pier, if free and no Bora wind. In the town, there are very good fish taverns.
15 miles to the south from here, there is the small port of
Premuda. Right beside there is a new artificial port and southerly from it some buoys for yachts. On land, the keepers of the “
Kanobas” await us for dinner.
Peka is the typical braised meat, cooked under a metal cap. If you want to taste it, you must pre-order some hours in advance. If you want to stay in a quiet and peaceful bay, the
Uvala Dobra on the southernmost point of Premuda is the right place.
Our cruise continues with moderate wind along
the islands Skarda and
Ist to
Molat. The harbour master is already there to help us with the mooring. It can be tricky, as the wind often blows crosswise to the pier. Mooring backwards can be very difficult here for beginners. Walking around the quiet sleepy village is very nice because of the great views.
On the northernmost point of
Dugi Otok you will see a ship wreck on the shelf. Some parts are still over the water. This is a popular destination for a snorkelling stop in the early afternoon.
The area from here to the east is a fantastic sailing region with numerous small islands. Finally, the famous town of
Zadar borders the sailing region. Here you will find several marinas: for example a mile north-westerly from the city port, the
Marina Tankerkomerc or even in the city port. Mooring berths are inside the western mole as well as in the narrow old yacht port. The old town with good shopping places is in a walking distance.
We continue to
Olib. On the western you will stay well protected behind the ferry mole. The eastern port is entirely well protected. An authentic tavern is right beside the yachts. However, Olib has a disadvantage: the most moorings are occupied already in the morning. At good weather you can moor at one of the buoys off the port. Up on the hill, the main town of the island is situated with some shops and kanobas. Right in the town, there’s an exciting tower, which can be climbed. If you want to climb it, make sure that you are free from giddiness, as the stairs are outside the tower and without guardrails. The panorama view is perfect!
Back in Pula we go to the old bishop’s town
Osor and through the channel with the rotating bridge between
Cres and Losinj. The bridge is open at 09:00 AM and at 05:00 PM. Northerly from the channel there is a pier and an anchorage bay. In the well-preserved medieval old town you will find great restaurants, a supermarket and a camping place.
From here we would have to sail some 20 sea miles to the main town Cres. Unfortunately, we have not enough time. We sail back to Istria instead. The marina
Pomer is situated in the shallow bay of
Medulin.
Just two miles over land separate us from our home port. Right southerly from the
Marina Veruda you can anchor in one of the bays and finish the week with bathing and relaxing.
For charter guests from southern Germany Pula in the southern Istria is a perfect starting port for a charter cruise. The sailing region has many interesting spots and destinations for a one-week or several weeks cruise.