Susak
From CruisersWiki
Susak Island, Croatia
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Susak Island in Croatia
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| 43°30.44′N, 14°18.05′E |
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| Photo gallery |
| Local chartlet |
The small island of Susak is situated some 30 miles off the mainland coast of Croatia and six miles W of the much larger island of Losinj. Together with the island of Unije, it is the westernmost of the northern Croatian islands. Although the closest island to the area of the Italian coast around Ravenna, Susak is not a port of entry and a foreign yacht arriving from Italy will need to continue to Mali Losinj to clear in. Only 1.5 square miles in area, the island supports a population of under 200, mostly in the main settlement of Susak Town, which is divided between the main village on a hill and the harbour of Luka Susak. The harbour is very popular with tripper boats from Losinj and visiting yachts need to squeeze in wherever they can. There is also a good anchorage at the NW end of the island, U. Porat, which can be used overnight in settled weather and another immediately E of the bay of Luka Susak, U. Dragoca, which is also for settled conditions only.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 202
- Croatian charts
- MK8
- Imray
- M24
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Weather
Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split.
Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.
For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.
Berthing options
There are three berthing options on the island, the harbour of Luka Susak and the anchorages of U. Porat and U. Dragoca (see below).
Ports
Luka Susak
44°30.38′N, 14°18.40′E
The harbour of Luka Susak gets very busy with tripper boats in the season and it can sometimes be difficult to find space. The only spots where a yacht may be able to squeeze in are stern/bows-to the inner side of the S breakwater, where depths are 3.0 - 3.5 metres and the holding moderate to good in sand and weed, or alongside the inner end of the N breakwater in 2.5 metres, avoiding the rock ballasting further along the breakwater. Note that ferries and tripper boats berth on the very end of the N breakwater. Shelter in the harbour is good in all conditions except strong E winds. Ashore there is a simple provisions store but no other facilities.
Danger: the remains of a ruined breakwater extend in an ‘L’ from the root of the S breakwater for some 400 metres E of the harbour. Most of the remains are underwater and the N end is marked with a red marker buoy. Do not attempt to enter the harbour or manoeuvre S of this buoy.
Anchorages
U. Porat
44°30.58′N, 14°17.21′E
The anchorage of U. Porat is situated on the NW side of the island, protected from N and E by a short peninsula. A relatively shallow bay, it offers good shelter in winds from those directions but is open W and SW. Anchor in 3.0 - 4.0 metres as far in as your draft allows. The holding is good in sand with some weed.
U. Dragoca
44°30.36′N, 14°19.09′E
The anchorage of U. Dragoca lies 500 metres E of the harbour of Luka Susak and consists of a wide bay open N. Shelter is adequate in settled weather, but U. Dragoca should not be contemplated with anything N in the wind. Anchor in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
None.
Offshore Islands
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The settlement of Susak is pleasant enough to explore and the landscape of the island is unusual, being mostly composed of sand dunes and terraced slopes which still support a small local wine industry.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Small provisions store in Luka Susak.
Eateries
Two restaurants near the harbour. Others up the hill in the village.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
None.
Transportation
Ferries to Mali Losinj.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Susak tourism
- List of all Croatian marinas
- List of government-owned ACI marinas
- Croatian National Tourist Board
- Find Croatia travel guide
- Wikipedia - Croatia
References & Publications
See Croatia.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2004 --Athene of Lymington 15:04, 21 April 2012 (BST)
Contributors to this page |
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Southern Europe | Mediterranean | Adriatic Sea | Croatia | Susak Island | |