Korčula Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia, 10 miles N of the smaller island of Lastovo and 12 miles S of the island of Hvar. At its easternmost point, at the Town of Korčula, it is only just over a mile from the Pelješac peninsula on the mainland, which stretches for 65 km from the settlement of Ston at its base to Cape Lovista at its head. Korčula itself stretches E-W for 47 km but is no more than 8 km wide at its widest point.
Like Brač to the north, Korčula was an important source of quarried stone during the long period of Venetian rule and also had a flourishing shipbuilding industry. Today the island’s prosperity is largely due to wine and olive oil production and— naturally—tourism. In addition to the main harbour and island capital of Town of Korčula, which hosts an ACI-operated marina, there are a total of nine other smaller harbours around the coasts of the island and some 12 anchorages along its deeply indented S and E coasts.
The main anchorages along the N coast of the island from town of Korčula to Vela Luka are as follows:
Luka Banja
Luka Banja/wiki/Kor%C4%8Dula#Luka_Banja
anchorageLuka Banja [[Korčula#Luka Banja|Luka Banja]] 42°57.629'N, 017°06.805'ELuka Banja42.96048;17.11342
The bay of Luka Banja is situated a mile W of Korčula Town and offers good shelter in the coves around its shores in all but N winds. It is possible, however, to get partial shelter from N winds if tucked into the NE corner of the bay. Anchor in a suitable spot, depending on wind direction, in 6.0 - 10 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. There is a small minimarket at the SW corner of the bay and a café/bar at the NE corner.
U. Vrbovica is the next inlet W from U. Banja and offers similarly good shelter in all but N or NE winds. Note that there is a dangerous rock, marked with a beacon, off the headland on the E side of the entrance. Anchor in the cove on the W side of the bay or in either of the two coves at the head of the inlet in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is moderate to good in sand, shingle and weed. No facilities ashore.
The anchorage of U. Kneža lies three miles W of U. Vrbovica in a bay partially sheltered from E by the islet of Mala Kneza. The anchorage should be approached from SE as the channel between Mala Kneza and Korčula Island has least depths of barely a metre. Anchor in 5.0 - 6.0 metres W of Mala Kneza island. The holding is good in sand, mud and weed. The shelter is good in all conditions but strong SE winds.There is a small provisions shop and a restaurant ashore.
U. Prihonja is situated on the N side of the peninsula at the NW corner of Korčula Island, three miles E of the islet of Proizd at its extremity. A prominent red and white daymark on the headland W of the entrance is a good guide. The bay offers good shelter in all but N and NE winds. Anchor in the cove at the SW end of the inlet in 6.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. There are no facilities ashore.
U. Sveti Ivan
U. Sveti Ivan/wiki/Kor%C4%8Dula#U._Sveti_Ivan
anchorageU. Sveti Ivan [[Korčula#U. Sveti Ivan|U. Sveti Ivan]] 42°58.388'N, 016°40.397'EU. Sveti Ivan42.97313;16.67328
U. Sv. Ivan is a cosy little bay on the N side of the approach to Vela Luka at the W end of Korčula Island. The bay is sheltered from S by the islet of Sveti Ivan, on which there is a church dedicated to the eponymous saint, and partially from W by the tiny islet of O. Gubesa. Entry is from W on either side of O. Gubesa. There depths of 7.0 - 8.0 metres in the entrance and 5.0 - 6.0 metres in the bay. The holding is good in sand. On the E side of the bay is a restaurant with mooring buoys for patrons. Shelter in the bay is good in N and E winds but it is exposed to winds from W and SW.
The main anchorages along the W and S coasts of the island from Vela Luka to Rt. Raznjic at the extreme SE tip of the island are as follows:
U. Poplat is the first inlet to the S of the bay of Vela Luka. The bay offers reasonable shelter in settled conditions but is exposed in winds from NW and W, so an unpleasant swell can sometimes develop with fresh sea breezes. Anchor at the head of the inlet in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. There are no facilities ashore.
U. Triluke, as its name suggests, is a triple-branched anchorage immediately E of the SW tip of Korčula Island. The bay is partially protected from the S by a small chain of islets. Entry is from either side of the westernmost of the islets, O. Trstenik. Anchor in any one of the bays in 4.0 - 5.0 metres, taking a line ashore if preferred. Holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter is good is all but S winds, when the shallow bay between the two islets of Mali and Veli Prznjak offers better shelter. No facilities ashore.
The anchorage small cove of U. Bok at the N shore of the islet (Croatian: otocic) of Zvirinovik, two miles ESE of U. Triluke. There are a number of islets and shoals in the approaches and care is needed. The anchorage offers good shelter in moderate winds and is a useful option if caught in S winds along this coast. Anchor in 8.0 - 10.0 metres and take a line ashore to the island. Holding is good in sand and weed.
The bay of U. Pržina lies immediately W of the extreme SE tip of Korčula Island, on the S side of the headland of Rt. Raznjic. It affords reasonable shelter in all but southerly winds but can get uncomfortable in strong N and E winds in view of its rather exposed position. Anchor at the head of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand.
The main anchorages from Rt. Raznjic along the E coast of the island to town of Korčula are as follows:
U. Račišće
U. Račišće/wiki/Kor%C4%8Dula#U._Ra.C4.8Di.C5.A1.C4.87e
The inlet of U. Račišće (easily confused with the harbour of the same name on the N coast) lies on the NE coast of the island, protected from N and NE by the islet of O. Vrnik. The inlet offers good shelter in all but strong E or SE winds. The approach from all directions needs care, in view of the numerous islets and shoals off the coast. A good chart is essential. The inlet is relatively built up and there are a number of moorings in the bay, but it is possible to anchor clear of them in 4.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is good in mud. Note that there is a cable on the seabed across the entrance. There is a restaurant ashore.
The small island of O. Badija is situated off the NE coast of Korčula Island, a mile ESE of town of Korčula. The island is surrounded by shoals and rocks and the safest approach from N is via the channel between O. Badija and Korčula Island and from S via the channel between O. Vrnik and Korčula Island. Both these channels have depths of 5.0 metres. There is a snug and very attractive anchorage on the S side of the island, opposite the large Franciscan monastery. Shelter here is excellent in virtually all wind conditions. Anchor in 5.0 - 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed.
In the town of Korčula/wiki/Kor%C4%8Dula#In_the_.5B.5BKor.C4.8Dula_.28town.29.7Ctown_of_Kor.C4.8Dula.5D.5DprovisionsIn the town of Korčula [[Korčula#In the town of Korčula|In the town of Korčula]] Several supermarkets, butchers and other provisions, fruit, vegetable market, and several shops sell the excellent local wines.
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Korčula and this page's details validated:
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.