Losinj Island

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General

Lošinj (pronounced low-sheen) (Italian Lussino, Latin Apsorrus) is a Croatian island in the northern Adriatic Sea, in the Kvarner gulf. It is near the city of Rijeka, and also a part of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar county.

Lošinj is part of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

The towns of Lošinj are listed here with their Italian name equivalents in parentheses: Nerezine (Neresine), Sveti Jakov (San Giacomo Lussignano), Ćunski (Chiusi Lussignano), Artaturi (Artatore), Mali Lošinj (Lussinpiccolo) and Veli Lošinj (Lussingrande).

A regional road runs through the island; ferry connections (via the island of Cres) include Brestova - Porozina, Merag - Valbiska, Mali Lošinj - Zadar, Mali Lošinj - Pula. There is also an airport on the island of Lošinj.

Approaches, Routes and Navigation

VELI LOSINJ

(44° 31'N; 14° 30'E), village and a small harbour on the E coast of Losinj, some 2.2 M southeast of the Privlaka passage. Nearby is Rovenska. Approach: Landmarks: the church on the Kalvarija hillock, red column (red light) on the E entering point into the harbour.

MALI LOSINJ

(44° 32'N; 14° 28'E), town and harbour in the SE part of the bay of the same name; one of the best shelters in the northern Adriatic for ships and yachts of all sizes.

Approach: From Wlandmarks: Mt Tovar and the ruins on it (opposite the entrance to the bay) and the church in the town; the islet of Zabodaski and the stone tower with a red top (red light) on it; the islet of Murtar and the white tower with a gallery in front of the house (white light) on it; the red tower on a white base (light with white and red sectors) on Torunza point; the green tower on a white base (green light) at the S end of Kriz point (the N end of the islet of Koludarc); the light on Poljana point a red tower with a latticed structure on a white base (red light); the red tower with a column and gallery (red light) on the NW end of the mole in Mali Losinj.

Mali Losinj is usually approached by passing between the islets of Zabodaski and Murtar. It can also be approached by going between Beli rat point and the N coast of the islet of Zabodaski (by night in the white sector of the ligth at Torunza point). Enter the bay by passing between the points of Torunza and Kriz. When you sight the harbour light at Poljana point, shape course for the Mali Losinj harbour; enter on the right side of the bay; from the harbour light at Poljana to the Privlaka bridge it is allowed to sail at 6 knots, further on at the smallest possible speed. The same holds when you leave the bay. The Privlaka passage, which links Losinjski kanal and the bay, can be used by vessels drawing up to 1.8 m.

Warning: It is prohibited to go at speeds that cause waves on the stretch between Poljana point and the SE part of the harbour. Mooring is prohibited along the piers on the W coast of the bay on the stretch between the Most strait (Koludarc Island Losinj Island) and the petrol station. It is prohibited to approach the coast, anchor or moor in Kovcanja cove (NW part of the bay) and the E coast in Artaturi cove. Allso, it is prohibited to anchor at the inner part of the harbour and along the coast up to 100 m from it.

Marinas and Anchorages

MALI LOSINJ MARINA

Marina Mali Losinj
51550 Mali Losinj, Croatia
Tel 051-231-626  
Fax 051-231-461

It Is situated on the NE side of Mali Losinj harbour, between the quay for passenger ships and the Privlaka passage (W of the boatyard).

The marina has 130 sea-berths for vessels up to 20m in length; there are 120 dry-berths, 60 of which are in hangars. Moor along the quay and the piers (four-point moor). Bigger yachts moor along the outer longitudinal pier (depth 10 m) bows-to the buoys. Smaller yachts can also moor along the inner piers and quay (four-point moor), where it is much less deep. The berths for yachts in transit are in the W part of the marina by the customs pier.

facilities

• reception office
• a restaurant,
• shop, duty-free shop,
• toilets and showers,
• laundry,
• car park for 100 cars with trailers;
• electricity points (220 V) and hydrants on the piers and the quay;
• fuel at the petrol station on the SW waterfront, on the road leading to Cikat.

Chandlers and Repair Facilities

Hoists (2 t), several travel-lifts (12 t), a slipway for vessels up to 30 tons. The Losinjska plovidba boatyard carries out repairs of hulls and sails. The shops in the marina undertake repairs of wooden, metal and plastic parts and of marine engines (VOLVOPENTA, MERCURY, YANMAR, YAMAHA, TOMOS, JOHNSON), electrical work, battery charging, and painting of vessels.

MALI LOSINJ

(44° 32'N; 14° 28'E), harbour in the SE part of the bay of the same name; one of the best shelters in the northern Adriatic for ships and yachts of all sizes.

Mooring: Moor alongside the mole and the quay or use the fourpoint moor in the E part of the harbour or alongside the three floating fingers in the S part of the harbour.

The mole is reserved for passenger ships and customs inspections.

Facilities

• Port of entry,
• harbour master's branch office,
• customs, post office,
• hospital, chemist's,
• supermarket, bank, hotels, camping sites,
• various repair shops, duty-free shop in which charts and nautical publications are sold,
• meteorological station;
• the head office of the Losinjska plovidba shipping company;
• Maritime School Centre.
• Udica Fishing Club and Jugo Sailing Club.

Water from the hydrant on the waterfront, fuel from the petrol station in the NW part of the cove.

VELI LOSINJ

(44° 31'N; 14° 30'E), A small harbour on the E coast of Losinj, some 2.2 M southeast of the Privlaka passage. Nearby is Rovenska.

Approach: Landmarks: the church on the Kalvarija hillock, red column (red light) on the E entering point into the harbour.

Mooring: Along the landing ground at the entrance into the small harbour and on the stretch of the coast (four-point moor). The sirocco causes strong waves that flood the inner part of the harbour. It is not recommended to enter Rovenska during bora.

Warning: Mooring along the central, protruding part of the waterfront is prohibited.

Facilities

• Post office,
• tourist office and several hotel establishments and shops,
• medical service,
• hospital for allergic diseases and health resort during the winter.

Provisions and water available; fuel in Mali Losinj.

Sailing Clubs

Udica Fishing Club

SFC “Udica”
p.p. 62
51550 Mali Lošinj, HRVATSKA
Tel/fax 00385 51 232 155/750 222 (secretary)

Places and things to see

Mali Losinj is undoubtedly the major attraction of Losinj Island largely because of its stunning setting. Luxuriant Cikat bay is to the north of town while the conelike peak of Umpiljak rises over Mali Losinj's eye-catching port. The pine woods bordering Cikat bay are cool and attractive plus there are plenty of places to windsurf, bicycle or simply stroll along the seaside promenade. Cikat bay has a long, sandy cove and scuba diving is also good in the offshore waters.

The clear, blue sea and pine-scented air create an aura of healthy living which is what put Mali Losinj on the tourist map along with its sister town, Veli Losinj. The flourishing shipbuilding industry of the 18th and 19th centuries was gradually replaced by tourism as Austrians and Hungarians flocked to Cikat bay for a sea & sun cure in the 19th centuries. They left a number of ornate villas in their wake, some of which are now hotels. The visitors also began a reforestation project to replenish and enlarge the pine forest on the Cikat peninsula. The project has been a major success as the cyclists, runners and walkers enjoying the shade of myriad Aleppo pines can attest. No one comes to Mali Losinj for the cultural activities but there is a little more than just beautiful, relaxing scenery. Take a look at the graveyard around St Martin's Church with tombstones that provide a short history of the island. Particularly touching are the graves of children whose respiratory problems were not cured by Mali Losinj's breezes. There are also a few interesting art collections and fine works of art in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin.

On the southeastern coast of Losinj Island, little Veli Losinj is only 4km from Mali Losinj, its big sister. Despite its name (veli means big), Veli Losinj is actually much smaller than Mali Losinj and retains the ambience of an authentic fishing village. The town is hilly and pretty with narrow streets, stone houses and lots of greenery.

Like Mali Losinj, Veli Losinj was a health centre under the Austro-Hungarian regime and has a long tradition in tourism. In 1866, Archduke Carl Stephen built a castle and imported over 200 rare plant species to plant in the castle garden. The castle now houses a sanatorium but the many rich sea captains who settled in Veli Losinj followed the Archduke's example and created lovely gardens around their houses. Glimpsing these exotic gardens makes a walk through town a delight.

There are a few sights in Veli Losinj. Notice the striking Venetian Tower built in the 15th century that now houses a small town museum. The aforementioned rich sea captains also saw to it that St Anthony's Church on the harbour was richly endowed with Italian paintings.