Useful Information

PENINSULA ISTRA

SAVUDRIJA (45° 30'N; 13° 30'E), village (pop. 349 in 1991) and small harbour N of point of the same name (round, white stone lighthouse, with top gallery, white flashes).

Mooring: The harbour is exposed to SW and NW wind. In other winds suitable as shelter for small craft only. Mooring at pier (depth 2.5m), at north part of pier with four-point moor.

Warning: When entering harbour care should be taken to avoid shoals extending about 1.2M offshore from the point. Customs and registration should be made previously in Umag. A large tourist settlement with a motel, bungalows and a camp site is situated near the point.

UMAG (45° 26'N; 13° 31'E), town (pop. 4,838 in 1991) and harbour on NW shore of Istrian Peninsula.

Approach: Landmarks: the hotel complex N of the harbour, Adriatic hotel in the harbour, church belfry surmounted by a pyramidal point, factory chimney S of town, green tower with column (green light) at head of breakwater, red tower with column (red light) and gallery at head of marina breakwater, square white tower (red light) on main pier of harbour.

When entering harbour care should be taken of a number of shoals. The western edge of the Paklena (hellish) shoal on the north entrance to the harbour is marked by a cylindrical red tower with a column and gallery (white-red sector light) on a white stone base; the southern edge of the rocky Garofulin shoal, also on the north entrance, is marked by a yellow and black post and two cones, points downwards, (sea is shallow to about 60m south of marker).

Incoming vessels should enter harbour passing between the red, conical light-buoy (must be left to port) and the green, conical signal buoy (must be left to starboard). Only after passing the green conical light buoy (leave to starboard) course may be shaped for the pier; at night, until the red light on its head is sighted. Depth of the entrance channel is 4m and more.

Mooring: The harbour is sheltered from all winds and sea except N and NNW. The bora may be strong but does not create waves. Summer storms are short but dangerous and form waves in the harbour. Yachts can moor beside the pier and on the east side of the quay. The pier is reserved for coastal and excursion boats; in the summer season it is used by customs authorities. Yachts and smaller vessels are advised to moor in the marina (north part of harbour). There is good anchorage in the centre of the harbour (depth 35m). Larger yachts are advised to anchor about 0.6M west of the Umag belfry (depth 18m). At night they should anchor 2M west of the harbour (depth 27m). This anchorage provides shelter from the bora but at first signs of a S or SW wind yachts should weigh and leave.

Umag is a permanent port of entry and has harbour master's branch office, customs, post office, hospital, out-patients' department, chemist's, bank, hotels and hotel settlements (Katoro, 1 M north of harbour), casino, camp for motorists. It is the seat of Umag Fishing Club and the Youth Sailing Club Hempel Albatros of Bujstina.

Facilities: Water hydrant at base of pier, fuel near pier, supermarket, duty-free shop, nautical supplies, charts and nautical publications.

General repairs of yachts in Umag marina.

Every year the traditional Umag May Festival is organized.

Sights: Remains of the town walls (14 C, one tower houses the Town Museum); Sv Marija Velika church (Great St Mary, 18 C, Gothic polyptych). Buje (defence walls, loggia, town mansions) 13km; Groznjan (town walls, summer art and music centre) 26km. Oprtalj (medieval town walls, 15 C church) 40km. Motovun (walls, towers, town gate, 16 and 17 C, old houses, fine view across the Mirna valley) 36km. Istarske Toplice (spa with hot radio-active waters, in use since 17 C) 38km. Buzet (medieval necropolis, town walls and gates from 1547 and 1592, Town Museum) 48km.

UMAG MARINA (ACY) is located in north part of harbour in front of Adriatic hotel, road (1.5km) into town. Protected from all winds except N and NW. In spring and July winds from SW are most dangerous. High seas during summer storms do not last long and come from the west. There is a permanent warning and information service. All weather reports and forecasts are available in the marina offices.

The marina has 260 sea-berths for craft up to 18m (four-point moor) and area for 150 vessels at the pier. In 1993 it will expand its capacity for 310 more berths.

The marina is open all the year round.

It has reception office, restaurant, shops and duty-free shop, toilets and showers with hot water, water and electricity hookups, laundry, telephone; fuel; sports equipment and nautical equipment; car park.

Boat hoist (10 t), travel-lift (40 t), slipway. Technical services: minor hull and engine repairs are available in CervarPorat marina and bigger in Portoroz marina or in Pula shipyard.