One Of Top Sailing Destinations In Croatia Is Island Vis

Vis Island is also known as a sailing paradise destination. This gorgeous island is an inescapable destination for all yachtsmen exploring the Split sailing area.

In addition, the island of Vis is an essential part of all the sailing itineraries from Split, Trogir or nearby marinas. Therefore, the town of Vis, Komiža port, Porat (Biševo), Stiniva bay, and Budihovac are the top five spots we recommend visiting while sailing around the island of Vis.

The Town of Vis

Even though it doesn't have its own marina, it has a whole waterfront that navigation professionals can use. This gives them the chance to be a part of the everyday life of this small island town. Vis has evolved into an inescapable destination for sailors, sailing Croatia through central and southern Dalmatia. Vis town has many berths and buoys for boats and yachts all over the bay and on both sides of the water, but they fill up quickly in the early afternoon.

There are vaults on the shore with electricity and water. Because the moorings are spread out along the shore, even large boats up to sixteen metres in length can be anchored here. This section of the shoreline has a sea depth of 2.5 to 3.8 meters. Only northerly winds cause moorings to be disturbed, whilst the eastern portion of the waterfront is less protected. A new restroom block has been created. Mooring fees should be paid at the reception desk. Vis represents another lively old urban centre among the Croatian offshore islands, established on the remains of the ancient Greek settlement of Issa, whose remains can still be seen. Take a long walk around this magnificent bay and pick one of many beautiful restaurants or bars to enjoy it to the full.

The Bay of Komiža and The Port of Komiža

It takes at least four hours of open sea sailing to reach Komiža town on the magical island of Vis.

Famous Komiža is located in a large but exposed bay on the island's western coast. If you arrive before midday, you should be able to locate an available berth along the water, but there are also numerous buoys in the bay. Komiža, known for its centuries-old fishing culture, was one of the most important fishing centres in the Mediterranean for many centuries, and it developed a strong urban character. Visit the dedicated museum in the historic tower overlooking the busy harbour to learn about the town's rich and exciting fishing history. You can also view a traditional wooden boat at the exhibition, the one-of-a-kind fishing schooner Falkuša.

Additionally, all of the town's everyday activities occur at the harbour, which provides a lively yet welcoming atmosphere. As a local specialty, many well-known restaurants are known for serving fresh, high-quality fish and lobster. The very strong red wine Plavac is also a must-try.

Before the meal, you should take a 20-minute walk up to the St. Nicholas Monastery to take in the magnificent scenery. The biggest bay on the island of Vis is completely exposed to the westerly and south-westerly winds, which generate challenging waves there; it is horseshoe-shaped, bordered by Knez cape and illuminated by Stupišće.

The only available shelter is located in Komiža port, behind a high breakwater rebuilt in 1996 and strengthened with concrete blocks to provide protection. This has prohibited moorings from being created on its top. The first 30 metres are for fishing boats and larger boats, and the next 100 metres are for navigation professionals and other people who know how to navigate.

There are approximately thirty moorings, so they are quickly filled during the busy summer season. However, throwing an anchor in the port's centre is only recommended for the most patient and experienced sailors. The marine traffic in the most renowned fishing village on the Adriatic is nearly always heavier than the road traffic, and the sandy bottom is littered with lay-up blocks. If you are uncertain about securing a mooring when strong southerly or south-westerly winds blow, it might be best to postpone your visit to Komiža for a time.

Porat (Biševo)

Porat, also known as Biševo's port, is a sandy bay located on the islet of Bisevo. That is an ideal choice for an overnight stay if the weather forecast is favourable. In truth, it is totally exposed to the south-westerly wind; when a strong landward breeze blows, the bay's water is rather turbulent.
However, you can spend several days anchored here due to the bay's protection from other winds.

If you go to the Vis aquatorium in high season, you'll be in the middle of all the fun things to do. But after 5 pm, when the tourists board their boats and head back home, everything goes quiet, and only locals and navigation experts are there. Because the water is relatively shallow here, it is not advised to anchor forty metres from the shore. However, there is enough room for ten boats to be securely anchored.
You should devote a whole day to the neighbouring island of Biševo and its world-famous, breath-taking Blue Cave (Modra špilja).

To visit the cave, you must adhere to a strict procedure: take a buoy at Mezoporat Bay, get a ticket on the pier, and wait in line to board small boats operated by a local company permitted to reach the cave in neighbouring Balun Bay. Remember that the most spectacular interaction between sunshine and seawater in the cave occurs between 11 a.m. and noon.

Continue in an anticlockwise manner around the island for a few kilometres to reach the picturesque Porat bay on the western shore of Biševo, where numerous buoys should be available for a secure overnight stay. You can also drop an anchor in the clear water, but if the bay is too busy, go to Salbunara, a nearby cove that is a bit smaller. Porat has a lovely sandy beach, a couple of restaurants, and a few cottages to call home. After a refreshing dip in the water, you can take a half-hour trek upward to an abandoned settlement in Biševo's hinterland. It's possible you won't run into anyone while exploring the village's natural wonders and stunning views.

Stiniva Bay

Stiniva is most likely the most well-known beach on the island of Vis. It is located on the island of Vis's southern coast. It is lovely and somewhat uncommon. The little beach is surrounded by massive cliffs that dominate the bay. Stiniva bay on the island of Vis has a genuinely fantastic sight due to its natural peculiarity. Its entrance to the sea is only 4-5 metres wide, but it leads to a cove that is surprisingly large and beautiful. The bay can only be reached by boat or on foot. You can't use a car to get to the bay. This has kept the bay's natural beauty safe.

There is a small and charming restaurant and bar in the bay. It's an excellent place to have a drink in the shade. Visit Stiniva Bay in the morning when there is a lot of sun because it is the best time to go. The blue-green sea next to the white cliffs looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Budihovac

People who like to sail will love Veli Budihovac, a tiny island in the middle of a bit of a group of islands and cliffs that make the south-eastern part of Vis so unique. On the Adriatic, it is one of the most beautiful lagoons because of the beach made of small stones that look like pearls. The lagoon on Budihovac, shielded from most winds and concealed by the Mali Budihovac and Sank cliffs and the shallow seas, is an ideal anchorage and lovely overnight harbour.

When approaching Mali Budihovac, you must be aware of the numerous sections of shallow water. In addition, when dropping anchor in the lagoon, you must be aware that the water level in some areas can drop to two metres at low tide.

Those who enjoy privacy can locate this lagoon in a little harbour on the island's eastern side that opens to the south but is protected from the landward breeze.
Budihovac is home to the grape variety plavac mali; thus, it would be a shame not to sample a glass of red wine from this unique micro-location.