Hvar Island

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General

Located in the center of the Mediterranean, off of its northern more indented and more densely populated coast, the island of Hvar is also situated in the center of practically all of the routes that cross the eastern Adriatic. An outstanding geographical point of central Dalmatia, on the route from Zadar and Sibenik to Korcula Island and Dubrovnik, Hvar is located in the vicinity of, and within the region gravitating towards, the city of Split. However, Hvar is separated from the Split Channel by the Brac island.

The area is 299.6 sq km (length 67.5 km, width up to 10.5 km); population 11,459. The island is characterized by mild Mediterranean climate. The air temperature in the winter months is 9.1°C, an average air temperature in January is 8.4°C and in July 24.8°C. Hvar has a long insolation (2,718 hours of sunshine a year). Economy is based on tourism, farming, viticulture, olive growing and especially on cultivation of rosemary and lavender; fishing is an additional occupation of the rural population. Though representing a part of the diverse southern Croatian archipelago, formed by numerous islands, since the earliest days Hvar has been the subject of special recognition, distinguished by both its natural beauty and its cultural strata. It was chosen by the earliest prehistoric inhabitants because of it's pleasant climate and convenient havens and its arable land well-suited for cultivation, as well as for the defence and construction possibilities it offered. Due to its mild climate, the scent of lavender and other aromatic herbs which fills the air, the island of Hvar has been known as a health resort since 1868.

The town of Hvar, known as Madiera of Croatia is the largest settlement on the island of Hvar. The seven century-old walls, with fortifications towering above them, keep watch over Hvar as they slope down toward the town and its Venetian loggia. The access to Hvar implies the point from which we have reached it. From the sea, we get the sight of a waterfront promenade strip bordered with a row of palm trees and seven centuries old walls, overtopped by the fortresses protecting Hvar, extending down-wards to the town and to the Venetian loggia. Coming from the central part of the island or using the road from the ferry harbour we arrive at the magnificent Piazza, a square generally considered the most beautiful of the kind in Dalmatia, dominated by St. Stephen's Cathedral and bordered by the paleces of Groda and by the cascading stone-boilt houses of Burag. But, no matter from which side this town is approached, Hvar straightway reveals itself as a monument of art.

But it is not only monuments which make Hvar what it is. It is also its harbour spreading towards the sea and the islands called Pakleni Otoci (Resin Islands), its unique healthful climate and its beaches and restaurants, which for almost a century and a half have been shining with the luster of a fashionable tourist resort. One has only to come to Hvar to be convinced. Far from the cosmpolite urban crowd, Hvar has preserved its villages of Brusje, Velo Grablje, Malo Grablje, Zarace and Milna for those fond of the calm left undisturbed from the beginnig of the time. Hvar displays with pride the oldest municipal theatre in Europe. Hvar has been built throught time by notable domestic and foreign architects. Hvar has been celebrated in verses. Hvar has been painted by painters. But Hvar itself is the best narrator of its own story. It is enough to come and see for oneself. That way we shall touch a piece of the legend. Hvar - reflects the glossuy spirit of an exquisit resort area for almost a century and a half.

Approaches

HVAR CITY

(43° 10.5'N; 16° 27'E), A town, tourist resort and harbour on the S coast of the island of the same name. Approach: Landmarks: the stone tower mounted on a pedestal exhibiting a white light on Pelegrin point, the square stone tower above a dwelling exhibiting a white light situated on the islet of Pokonji dol, the red iron tower with a column exhibiting a red light on the NE edge of Jerolim islet, the forts Spanjol and Sveti Nikola, the television mast W of the city, Galisnik islet with a square stone tower exhibiting a green light on its S side. VRBOSKA (43° 11'N; 16° 40.5'E), village (pop. 523 in 1991) and small harbour on the N coast of Hvar, situated at the head of a long, narrow cove.

VRBOSKA

(43° 11'N; 16° 40.5'E), A village and small harbour on the N coast of Hvar, situated at the head of a long, narrow cove.

Approach: Landmarks include the greyish N entrance point Glavica, the square masonry tower exhibiting a white light on the E end of Zecevo islet; the red metal tower exhibiting a red light situated on the head of the E breakwater in Jelsa; the round white iron tower with a column exhibiting a white light situated on Kriz point and the red light column exhibiting a red light on the SE corner of the quay.

JELSA

(43° 10'N; 16° 42'E) A town and small harbour on the N coast of the island of Hvar.

Approach: The town is easily identified from some distance by the prominent buildings of the hotel complexes flanking the harbour entrance, the road leading to the cemetery with a bell tower on the E side of the entrance, the red round iron tower exhibiting a red light on the breakwater fronting the cemetery and the eightsided masonry tower with a cupola exhibiting a green light situated on the head of the N breakwater.

SUCURAJ

(43° 07.5'N; 17° 11.5'E) A village and small harbour in the inlet of the same name at the easternmost end of the island of Hvar.

Approach: Landmarks include the square stone tower with a balcony beside a dwelling exhibiting a white light on Sucuraj point; the red round iron tower exhibiting a white light on the head of the breakwater, the low white building with a green factory chimney on the N coast of the inlet in front of the village.

Charts

Weather

The island is characterised by gentle winters, warm summers and many hours of sunshine, Gentle and moist winters (January Hvar has an average temperature of 8.4° C) have many advantages, long other things enabling winter tourism in Hvar. Maximum temperatures are never too high to render agriculture impossible (the highest recorded temperature of 37°C was reached in 1935). The average annual air temperature is around 16.5° C, while autumns are warmer than springs, which prolongs the growing period. Hvar has an annual average of 7.7 hours sunshine per day and 3.8 hours of cloud. (By comparison Dubrovnik has 7.0 hours of sun shine and 4.4 hours of cloud; Nice /South of France/ 7.2 and 4.2 respectively). A general belief in the health-giving effects of sunny regions led to the discovery of this "Adriatic Madeira" as early as the 19th century. It has the most hours of sunshine on the Adriatic coast, with as much as 2715 per year, and only small variations in temperature.

Marinas and Anchorages

VRBOSKA MARINA

It is situated on the S shore of the outer part of the cove. Capacity: 100 berths along the SE waterfront at the head of the cove (depths up to 10 m); there is an area for 30 yachts in dryberths; electricity, telephone and water hook-ups.

The marina operates the year round.

Facilities

• reception office;
• restaurant;
• shopping area including duty-free shop;
• toilets and showers with hot water;
• laundry service;
• car park;
• maintenance and repair jobs.

Crane (5 t), fuel pump at the waterfront.

A small boatyard is situated on the opposite shore (0.3 km).

HVAR

Mooring: The Hvar harbour is exposed to north-westerlies. Southerlies, especially the sirocco, raise waves and an unpleasant swell inside the harbour. The S part of the wharf is used by vessels on regular services. Yachts drawing up to 2.5m can lie at the waterfront W of the small harbour Mandrac using four-point moor. Larger yachts anchor N and NW of Galisnik islet (depths 2025 m). Smaller yachts can anchor in the middle of the harbour (depths 810 m) securing their sterns to bollards on the W shore. Yachts can also sail into Palmizana Marina on the islet of Sv Klement (Pakleni otoci).

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office;
• medical service;
• chemist's;
• Pelegrin Fishing Club;
• Zvir Yacht Club.
• Fresh food provisions at the shops and the self-service store;
• Water laid on to the NE waterfront (hydrant);
• Fuel obtainable from the pump on the pier in the E harbour Krizna Luka;
• Minor repairs can be arranged; slipway (width 5 m).

STARI GRAD

(43° 11'N; 16° 35'E) A harbour at the head of Starigrad Bay, on the north coast of the Hvar island.

Mooring: The bay is sheltered from the bora. Only westerlies are apt to raise a disagreeable sea inside the harbour since the bay is open to the W. A violent sirocco may suddenly raise the sea level inside the harbour. Yachts can moor at the S shore in depth of about 3.5 m. Smaller yachts can berth at the E and N shores in depth of about 3 m, using the four-point moor. The waterfront is lined with bollards. A good anchorage ground is situated NE of Fortin point (depths 68 m). During the bora yachts can find shelter and anchor in Zavala and Tiha coves, whereas the coves Graciste, Sv Ante and Maslinica provide shelter from the sirocco.

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office;
• medical service;
• chemist's;
• wine cellar and grocery shops;
• Sarag Fishing Club;
• Provisions at local shops;
• water from the hydrant on the quay.

In the harbour on the N waterfront, there is a slipway for smaller vessels. The local shipyard undertakes repairs to wooden and plastic hulls, while maintenance jobs and minor repairs to marine engines can be effected at two local workshops.

JELSA

(43° 10'N; 16° 42'E), A small harbour on the N coast of the island of Hvar.

Mooring: The inner harbour affords shelter from all winds, only its S part does not provide sufficient shelter during a strong bora. The outer part of the harbour is completely exposed to northerlies and to the bora and a dangerous surge develops in it with such winds. Only small yachts can moor using the four-point moor, at the quay (depth 1.63.4m alongside). The inner harbour is occupied by local craft. Passenger liners land at the S mole. An anchorage ground is situated 250m NE of the breakwater (depth around 12 m), but it is not recommended to use it in the winter months during the bora.

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office;
• medical service and chemists;
• Zecevo naturist hotel complex is situated N of the town, behind Glavica point.
• Provisions at local shops (self-service store);
• Water from hydrants on the waterfront;
• Fuel at the petrol station (about 300m from the waterfront).

A small slipway is situated in the S part of the harbour.

Each year at the end of August the Jelsanska festa vina (Jelsa Wine Festival).

SUCURAJ

(43° 07.5'N; 17° 11.5'E), A small harbour in the inlet of the same name at the easternmost end of the island of Hvar.

Mooring: E and SE winds raise a heavy sea inside the harbour. Continuous northerly winds cause the depth in the harbour to decrease, which should be taken into account. Smaller yachts can berth at the ferry-pier using the four-point moor, or sidelong at the inner side of the breakwater. They can also lie sidelong and using the four-point moor at the quay in front of the harbour master's branch office (depths 23.5 m).

Facilities

• Harbour master's branch office;
• post office;
• medical service;
• fish-cannery;
• Pagar Fishing Club.
• Food provisions and water.