Advice needed for South Croatian trip

[Eren]

Hi all!

I am planning for a 6 days trip at South Croatia starting on coming Saturday. The trip will start from Tivat Montenegro. Actually the reason of the trip is to fill up my tanks before the winter with tax free fuel from Montenegro. In order to get tax free fuel from Montenegro, you have to buy it and leave Montenegro immediately. However as Croatia is just 30 nm away, that is not an issue at all. Furthermore it makes up a nice reason for an “end of season” trip like I am planning now.

As can be seen from the below map, start point will be Tivat, and the planned stopovers are Cavtat, Sipan, Ston, East of Jakljan, again Cavtat for exit and back to Tivat. It is a trip of totally 120 nm, with legs of maximum 30 nm.



I know that Croatia is not the best known area at this forum but I am sure that there are experienced forumites that may guide me about possible anchorages, restaurants, tips that may enrich our trip.

I will be very glad to receive your suggestions!

 

[AndieMac]

BartW is knowledgeable in this area, after spending a couple of seasons and plenty of cruises out of there recently. Hopefully he can comment, good luck with your cruise.

 

[BartW]

Hi Eren,

This is a route that we did a zillion times (also in the past with the smaller boat, when based in Cavtat )
I’m surprised that you still asc for advice on that, how long do you have a boat in Tivat ? ;-)

By the way, give my regards to Kosmas in the fuel station, that’s now 16 months ago !

there we go:

In this period you will not have a problem for mooring in Cavtat,
I have many friends there, just in Case you need something,
Or asc Lari (in the wheelchair) and tell him you’re my friend ;-)
I think Bugenvila is still considered the best restaurant on the promenade (its almost a year ago that I was there)

After passing along Dubrovnik,
on the south side of the island Lopud, is a sand beach
This is a popular anchorage for the locals, its ok for a lunch stop.

Your track on the map, that’s how I would sail north,
the passage between Sipan and Jakljan, from that side is alway’s inpressive !!!
Hopefully you will have good weather to take the open sea side of the islands.

Sipanska Luka is a very nice anchorage, (Nord of the island Sipan) we LOVE it !
You could reserve at restaurant Marco, and take one of their boy’s
Or stay on anker in the middle of the bay / village.

The passage east of Jakljan, and between Olipa and Peljesac, is my family’s favourite place,
For anchoring and doing all kind of water sports
but that is when the water is warm enough ! ?

when going towards Ston,
you can stay overnight and have diner at the quay at “Konoba Nico”, (stern to mooring + anker)
always’s a adventure there
we have enjoyed this place so many times,
hopefully Nico is sober…
that is in Kobas, about 3 miles from Ston,
I’m not sure if it is save to go with your boat all up the river to Ston, (draft!)
better use the tender from Kobas
(Ston itself is not really interesting tbh, but ok for a one time visit)

depending on time / weather
you could hop over to Mljet / Polace, one of the nicests spots in the region !
and quite a few restaurants there, you can moor stern to.

On the return trip,
You could sail along the coast,
And might want to visit the new marina at Slano (nothing special around there)
The coast between Slano and Gruz (Dubrovnic) has some really nice and or expensive residences
some shots of game of thrones are filmed here, Others are filmed in Dubrovnic old town, and on the building / beach under hotel Belvedere,
and some are filmed from the small bay near ford Lovrijenac

The bay of Zaton is nice for a lunch stop.

In Gruz is a new marina, (have not been there with the boat so far)
Perhaps interesting to stay there for visiting the old town..
Ignore the ACI marine on the river, is old and not nice.

Oh yes I gues you have the 999 harbors book ?
That is really usefull for all Croatia coast and islands
I think they have it in Cavtat in the bookshop,
Or you can order it online before the trip.

For more info, Just shout.

 

[Eren]

Dear Bart,

Thank you very very much for this detailed information!

Yes, my previous boat and also the new one has been in Tivat in the last 2 years but within this time I went up north only once, despite twice to the Ionian. I have a general idea up to Hvar but, nothing close to your experience. Especially it is great to learn about restaurants and anchorages. I don't have the 999 harbours book, but I will get a copy from Cavtat.

Thank you very much once again for your very valuable input!

 

[BartW]

I don't have the 999 harbours book, but I will get a copy from Cavtat.

actually the curent version is called:

777 HARBOURS & ANCHORAGES PILOT BOOK - EASTERN ADRIATIC

tbh, I'm not sure if they have it in the book / newspapershop in Cavtat, (keep in mind that Cavtat is a small village)
if time allows, better order online.

 

[Eren]

actually the curent version is called:

777 HARBOURS & ANCHORAGES PILOT BOOK - EASTERN ADRIATIC

tbh, I'm not sure if they have it in the book / newspapershop in Cavtat, (keep in mind that Cavtat is a small village)
if time allows, better order online.

If not in Cavtat, I know a small bookshop that I may find it in Dubrovnik.