MIRNA

MIRNA (45° 19'N; 13° 34'E), wide bay S of Novigrad, estuary of river Mirna.

Approach: Novigrad lies on the N point at the entrance to the bay. There are steep red cliffs E of Pod Uliki point one mile E of Novigrad harbour and a lighthouse (sector light on corner of single-storey hous of lighthouse keeper) on Zub point (Rt Zub).

Vessels approaching from the north should take care to avoid the Val shoal, marked by a cylindrical black buoy with a red band in the middle, topped with two black spheres. At night this shoal is in the red sector of the harbour light (on the breakwater) in Novigrad harbour. Vessels approaching from the south should take care to avoid the Civran and Veliki skolj shoals lying about 1.6M south of Zub point.

Mooring: Mirna bay affords small craft shelter from all winds except those from the W which cause rough water. Larger craft are advised to anchor north of Valeta cove (depth 1718m) or in front of Stari Tar village. Smaller yachts can anchor near the S shore or in the Tar cove which is shallow (alluvial deposits). Anchorage about 1.6M south of Zub point. Vessels are advised to leave at the first signs of a W wind.

On the left bank of the Mirna, below the little hill town of Motovun, there is Motovun forest, a special forestry reserve; around Istarske Toplice there is a nature reserve.