Molat

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General

Molat - The Molat island is situated in the northern part of Zadar's archipelago. It is southeast of the island of Ist, separated from it by the Zapuntel strait; area 22.7 sq km; population 222. The relief is characterized by two limestone ridges (the highest peak Knizak, 142 m), separated from each other by the Zapuntel-Brgulje valley (Zapuntel Field); the Bay of Brgulje is its south-eastern submerged part. A smaller transversal valley (Molat Field) stretches in the south-eastern part of the island.

Molat is mostly under young forests and underbrush. Its mostly low north-eastern coast is indented with numerous coves (the largest cove is Jazi). The south-western coast is largely steep , overlooking the sea, and is less indented. Chief occupations are farming, livestock breeding (sheep), fishing and tourism. The villages of Molat, Zapuntel and Brgulje are situated in the interior of the island; coastal hamlets developed around their piers. The peace, silence, secret beaches and numerous hidden bays for temporary anchorage and necessary minimum of infrastructures (4 restaurants, 3 shops) guarantees an holiday far away from usual tourism.

Approaches

ZAPUNTEL

(44° 15'N; 14° 49'E), A cove and village in the passage of the same name (between the islands of Ist and Molat). From Virsko more: the conical white tower with a gallery (white light) on Vranac point (on the island of Molat) and Vrh Gore and Straza hills (on the island of Ist); when approaching from the open sea take care of the islets, reefs and shoals off Ist and Molat. In the strait (depth at midpoint 2040 m) there is a strong current (up to 3 knots) coming from the open sea; with a strong bora and the current fom the opposite direction there is a strong chop.

JAZI

(44° 13'N; 14° 53'E) A cove on the SE coast of the island. The islet of Tovarnjak off the cove and the church on the hill in the village of Molat (pop. 109 in 1991) can be easily identified.

BRGULJSKI ZALJEV

A small bay on the SW coast of Molat island between Bonaster and Golubinjka points; with its eastern Lucina, Podgarbe and Luka coves, it is the best natural shelter in this part of the Adriatic for vessels of all sizes. Landmarks: the pyramidal stone tower (white light) on Bonaster point; the white tower with a column and gallery (white light) on the islet of Golac; the belfry and several houses in the village of Molat; the round red tower with a column and gallery (red sector light) in Lucina cove; the conical white tower with a gallery (white-green sector light) on Tun Veli islet; the red tower with a column and gallery (red light) on Tun Mali. When navigating through Maknare passage, larger yachts should keep in the white sector of the light on the islet of Tun Veli. Approaching from Zadar, keep in the second white sector of the light on Tun Veli; turn towards the bay after you have passed the light on Bonaster point.

Marinas and anchorages

ZAPUNTEL

Mooring: A good all-round shelter. Yachts can moor along the mole in the harbour (alongside it or using the four-point moor); depth 3.5 m. The head of the mole is reserved for passenger ships.

It is prohibited to anchor in the middle of the passage and in its narrow W part (an underwater cable).

Facilites

• Very limited provisions and water available in the coastal part of the village.

JAZI

(44° 13'N; 14° 53'E) A cove on the SE coast of the island. The cove is exposed to NE winds; with a strong wind blowing, anchor in Lucina cove (Brguljski zaljev). Smaller yachts can anchor some 300m off the small pier bearing NNE (depth 58 m) or in Przina cove (some 0.6M northwest of the harbour, depth 46 m), where they can also moor (four-point moor). A good anchorage for larger yachts (depth 820 m) is on the alignment of the centre of Tovarnjak island and the church in the village.

Facilities

• Limited provisions and water available in the village of Molat.

BRGULJSKI ZALJEV

Small yachts can moor at the mole in Lucina cove. The best anchorage is NW of the islet of Brguljski in Studena cove (depth to 4.5 m) nearer the NE shore; there is good anchorage in the SE part of Podgarbe cove (sheltered from S winds) and in the Luka cove at the NW end of the bay.

Facilities

• Provisions and water in Lucina.