Vis
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General
An island in the central Dalmatian archipelago; area 90.3 sq km (length 17 km, width up to 8 km); population 4,338; the highest peak Hum (587 m). The vast Komiza Bay, with sandy bottom, is situated on the western coast of the island. The southern coast is characterized by several smaller inlets (Travna Vela, Travna Mala, Stiniva, Ruda, Teleska Vela, Ploce, etc.). The town and the port of Vis lie on the northern coast of the island with many cliffs, of which Gradac Cliff is most impressive (100 m). The islets of Ravnik, Budihovac, Parzanj and Greben are situated off the south-eastern shore. The island of Vis is exposed to the north-westerly and south-easterly winds.
Approaches, Routes and Navigation
Vis is the island that can offer a lot of wild untouched beauty, especially on its southern coasts whose cliffs are carved by winds and waves of the open sea. One should always bear in mind the unpredictable nature of Vis winds. The west coast is rocky and very steep. On this coast, between capes Križni rat and Stupišće, there is a vast bay of Komiža surrounded by steep slopes of hills Mali Hum and Hum. There are no obstacles for navigation along this coast, because the sea is very deep everywhere except at the east coast of the Komiža bay where the seawater is shallow and sea bottom reefy. Along the north side of the cape Stupišće the seawater is only 3 metre deep. The bay id exposed to waves of west and southwest winds that create difficult navigation conditions. Bora and sirocco blow strongly and often change direction, but do not make waves. The mooring place is inside the stone-made break-water, the depth is 3-5 metres. The south coast of the island is exposed to open sea winds and large waves. The entire coast is very deep. There are no good shelters for small boats, except small bays Travna mala, Travna vela and Ruda where small boats can anchor in case of bora.
The navigation is difficult along the east coast of the island and the islets in front of it, so the ships should sail along the coast of Vis. Only cliffs and reef Pločica should be passed on their east side. Bigger ships can anchor northwest of the island Ravnik, at the depth of 20 metres, where the bottom holds well. At this anchorage north and southwest winds make big waves.
While navigating in the area one should pay special attention to the cliffs Krava and Volići at the entrance into the bay Viška luka. The islet Host divides the entrance into the bay into two passages. Bora blows directly into the bay, and often down the slopes on the east coast. The east coast of the bay is exposed to waves of northwest winds, while the west side of the bay is protected. When south winds blow, there is a high tide in the bay. Bigger ships can anchor in the central and southern part of the bay at the depth of 20-30 metres. Smaller boats (up to 2-metre draught) can anchor in the bay Kut, west of peninsula Prirovo, and along the stone-made coast of the south and west part of the bay. In addition to this, among many bays on this side of the island, the shelters for smaller boats are: port Rogačić (while entering one should pay attention to cliff Rogačić that is linked to the coast of the island with a very shallow bottom) that protects from west winds, and bays Gradac and Oključna from south winds. They are also somewhat protected from bora, but totally exposed to waves of southwest wind.
VIS
(43° 04'N; 16° 11'E), town and harbour on the N coast of the island of the same name. Landmarks: the lighthouse Stoncica, a masonry tower on a dwelling exhibiting a white light, situated on the cape bearing the same name; the concrete tower with a balcony exhibiting a red light on Krava rock (E of the entrance); the eight-sided masonry tower exhibiting a white light on Host Islet; the white tower with a balcony on Volici rock; the ruined Fort Wellington on an elevation on the left side of the entrance and Fort Torjan on its right side; the white tower exhibiting a red light on the head of the car-ferry landing place.
Care should be taken when making an approach to avoid the rocks Krava and Volici and the islet of Host.
KOMIZA
(43° 03'; 16° 05'E), town, harbour and spacious bay on the W coast of the island of Vis. Approach: The harbour is easily recognised from seaward by the white masonry tower exhibiting a white light on the small islet of Barjak Mali; Sv Nikola church (St Nicholas) SE of the town (elevation 57 m); by the square masonry tower exhibiting a white light on Stupisce point; the red tower with a balcony exhibiting a red light on the island of Bisevo (Kobila point); the green metal fremework tower with a column and a balcony exhibiting a green light on the head of the breakwater.
Weather
The island of Vis belongs to the Adriatic type of the Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. The avarage annual temperature is 16 degrees C. The avarage summer temperature is one or two degrees lower on the island than on the continent, while during winter it is for one or two degrees higher. The avarage annual precipitation is about 800 mm at a square metre, a little bit less than on the surrounding islands and the continent. But owing to its geological structure, this island has more water springs than the neighbouring islands.
Major ports
Vis Harbour
43° 04'N; 16° 11'E Mooring: The harbour is open to the bora, which blows here with violence and raises a considerable sea. The sirocco also blows with heavy gusts. Protracted southerlies are apt to raise the sea level inside the harbour considerably. The E shore of the bay is exposed to waves coming in from the NW. Yachts can moor in the SW part of the harbour (depths 34 m). Yachts drawing up to 2m can berth along the shore in Kut Cove (to the SE). Deeper drawing yachts can also anchor in Kut Cove except during northerlies and north-westerlies. During the bora and the sirocco it is recommended to anchor W of the small Pirovo peninsula.
Anchorage is prohibited in the W part of the harbour due to an underwater sewer pipeline. The pipe extends for 300m from the shore, E of the Issa hotel.
Facilities
- Harbour master's branch office,
- post office,
- medical service,
- chemist's.
- Provisions at local shops and at self-service shop.
- Water in limited supply.
- Fuel at the pump on the small pier in the NW part of the harbour.
- Host Fishing Club.
KOMIZA
43° 03'; 16° 05'E Mooring: The bay is exposed to westerlies and south-westerlies, which raise a heavy sea. Behind the breakwater (depths 35 m) vessels are protected from these winds, as well as from the bora and the sirocco. Yachts can moor at its inner side, but it should be borne in mind that the area around its head is reserved for regular passenger lines. Smaller yachts can berth at the quay NE of the breakwater using the four-point moor. A good anchorage ground (depth around 30 m) is situated 500m W and 850m S of the harbour light, but a bora renders it untenable.
Facilities
- Harbour master's branch office,
- post office,
- medical service,
- chemist's,
- Neptun fish-cannery with its own fleet.
Places and things to see
Goog places to eat and drink
RESTAURANTS
“AS” - SLAVIĆ ANDRO 711-580,711-474,098-422-190 “PAULA” - VIDOVIĆ BOŽO 711-362,717-501 “POJODA” - BRAJČIĆ ZORAN 711-575, fax: 718-031 “VAL”- KNEGO LUCE 711-763 “PORAT”- DRAGICA IVIČEVIĆ 717-554, 091-530-25-44 “TAMARIS” - VIS D.D. 711-350, 098-321-732 “KALIOPA”- PEČAREVIĆ GORAN 711-755 “PARALLELO 43”- LUCA CALTANELLA 711-481 "BREAKFAST AT TIHANA'S”-PEKICA TIHANA 717-742
TAVERNS
“VATRICA” - CVITANOVIĆ PETAR 711-574, 091-594-90-47 “DALMATINO” - KARUZA SANDRO 714-194 "ZOGLOV" - DRAGANOV TANJA 091-566-67-19, 091-502-67-96 “LANTERNA” - LINČIR PAVE
Additional Information
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: International code for Croatia: 385 Police: 92 Fire brigade:93 First Aid : 94 Communication Centre: 985 Aid On The Road: 987 Aid On The Road ( if called from abroad or a mobile phone choose the number: + 385-1-987 ) Croatian Motor Club HAK Information about the road conditions: 01-46-40-800; Internet: www.hak.hr General information: 981 information about local and long-distance telephone numbers: 988 Information about international telephone numbers: 902
