Pag Island is a long and narrow island, the country’s fifth largest, lying off the mainland coast of Croatia opposite the Velebit mountain range. Nearby islands include Rab, Olib and Vir. Although nearly 40 miles long, the width of the island varies from just two to ten miles. The island is connected to the mainland via a road bridge at its extreme SE end, with an air clearance of 35 metres and therefore navigable by all but the largest yachts . On its eastern side lies the Velebit Channel, infamous for the violence of its winds during a strong bora. The island is largely bare of trees, unlike some of its neighbours, and subsists largely on fishing, tourism and the production of wine and cheese. The tangy, salty Pag cheese, soaked in olive oil, is widely considered one of the best in Croatia. Visiting yachts mostly make for the main harbour of Pag Town on the E coast or the marina at Simuni on the W coast, though there are also several good anchorages around the island, depending on wind conditions.
The principal berthing options on Pag Island are the rather exposed harbour of Pag Town on the E side of the island or the government-owned ACI marina of Simuni Marina on the W coast, although there are additional good anchorages at the villages of Zubovici and Caska in the inlet of Pag Town and (S to N) Povljana, Kosljun, Novalja, Jakisnica and Tovarnele on the W coast.
The village of U. Zubovici is situated on the E side of the Paski Zaljev, the 10-mile long inlet at the S end of which lies Pag Town. Zubovici is around six miles from the entrance to the inlet from the Velebit Channel. A large scale chart is recommended as there are several unmarked shoals in the approach from S and SE. There is a short pier at the village, which is usually crammed with local vessels, but a yacht can anchor off in 5.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter is also good from NW round to E, but the anchorage becomes untenable in any strong winds from S or SE. No facilities.
The village of Caska is situated at the head of the Paski Zaljev, the 10-mile long inlet at the S end of which lies Pag Town. Caska is around nine miles from the entrance to the inlet from the Velebit Channel. A large scale chart is recommended as there are several unmarked shoals off Zubovici in the approach from S and SE. Anchor off in 4.0 - 8.0 metres. There is a short pier at the village, which is usually crammed with local vessels, but a yacht can anchor off in 5.0 metres. Holding is moderate to good in sand and weed. The shelter is good except in strong winds from the W or NW, when it would probably become untenable. No facilities.
Povljana village lies on the NE side of a wide bay at the SW corner of the island, two miles NE of the smaller island of Vir. Beware the shoal water off the headlands either side of the bay. Anchor off the village in 5.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and weed. Alternatively, berth alongside the S side of the short pier of the village if there is room. Depths here are around 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Shelter in the bay is good in all conditions except if there is anything W in the wind. No facilities other than a couple of restaurants.
The hamlet of Kosljun is situated on the SW coast of Pag Island, some five miles NNW of Povljana, at the N end of a two-mile wide bay. Beware the shoal water off the headlands either side of the bay. Anchor off the jetty at the village in 4.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is moderate to good in the sand with some rocky patches. The shelter is good in NW and E winds but the bay is completely open S. As an alternative to free anchoring, it may be possible (if there is space) to anchor moor stern or bows-to on the short pier, where there are depths of 2.0 - 3.0 metres alongside. No facilities.
The holiday resort of Novalja lies at the head of a NW-facing bay on the W coast of the island, eight miles NNW of the inlet of Simuni Marina. In the approach, beware the shoal waters extending off the headlands on either side of the bay. Anchor off the village in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter here is good except if there is anything W in the wind. As an alternative to free anchoring, it may be possible (if there is space) to anchor moor stern or bows-to on the S side of the village quay, where there are depths about 3.0 metres alongside. There is a fuel berth here (although alongside depths are only 1.5 metres), provisions shops and restaurants ashore. There is also an ATM.
Jakisnica is a quiet and sparsely inhabited inlet four miles SSE of the extreme NW tip of Pag Island and around eight miles NNW of Novalja. Anchor in the bay in 4.0 - 6.0 metres, if necessary taking a line ashore to one of the jetties around the inlet. The holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter is good from N and E but the inlet is open W and S. Small provisions shop and restaurant ashore.
Tovarnele is a small hamlet on the NW coast of the island, barely a mile from the extreme NW tip. If approaching from N, beware of the extensive shoals off the headland of Rt Lun at the NW tip of the island. Anchor off in the bay in 4.0 - 6.0 metres, with a line ashore if necessary to prevent swinging. The holding is good in sand and weed. The shelter is good from all directions except NW round to W. No facilities.
U. Stara Povlana
U. Stara Povlana/wiki/Pag#U._Stara_Povlana
anchorageU. Stara Povlana [[Pag#U. Stara Povlana|U. Stara Povlana]] 44°19.459'N, 015°08.679'EU. Stara Povlana44.324324452499596;15.144654851221981
Stara Povlana bay is the westernmost of the two long inlets at the SE end of Pag Island (the other being U. Dinjiska). The inlet extends over two miles from the wide entrance in a NW direction. Anchor at the head in 8.0 - 10.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and mud. The shelter is good from all directions except SE. No facilities ashore.
Dinjiska bay is the easternmost of the two long inlets at the SE end of Pag Island (the other being U. Stara Povlana). The narrow inlet extends over three miles from the entrance in a NW direction. Anchor at the head in 7.0 - 9.0 metres. The holding is good in sand and mud. The shelter is excellent from all directions except SE. No facilities ashore.
U. Smokvica lies on the NE shore of the bay of Stara Povlana, two miles from the head of the inlet. Anchor at the head of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres (avoiding the rocky patch), with a line ashore if desired. Holding is good in sand and mud. Good shelter here from N and E but open S. No facilities.
Dva Ferala (two lanterns)/wiki/Pag#.27.27Dva_Ferala.27.27_.28two_lanterns.29eatingoutDva Ferala (two lanterns) [[Pag#Dva Ferala (two lanterns)|Dva Ferala (two lanterns)]] 44°26.652'N, 015°03.166'EDva Ferala (two lanterns)44.4442;15.05277 Small courtyard restaurant; it offered in 2004 a great lunch of Pag lamb, salad and local Žutica white wine followed by Pag cheese. --Athene of Lymington 13:42, 14 November 2012 (GMT).
/wiki/Pag#.26nbsp.3Beatingout [[Pag# | ]] 44°26.652'N, 015°03.166'E44.4442;15.05277 Several restaurants in the town.
The island is quite bare and rocky and, apart from its proximity to the awe-inspiring range of the Velebit mountains, has little to recommend it in the landscape. Most of the tourism interest centres on Pag Town, which largely dates from the 15 century and contains many old buildings. The town lies at the head of a large inlet facing the Velebit mountains and is surrounded by salt pans (the manufacture of the famous Pag cheese being the other major industry). The 16th-century church of St Mary’s has an intriguing sculpture over its door, showing the Virgin surrounded by Pag women in local headdresses. The nearby Ducal Palace has a similarly ornate doorway. Pag Town also boasts a small lace museum, celebrating the other craft (in addition to cheesemaking) for which the island is celebrated.
The portal of St Mary’s Church, Pag Town
A fine specimen of Pag lace
Pag cheese and lamb are a renowned local speciality
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