NORTHERN ADRIATIC ISLANDS

ISLAND OF KRK

BASKA (44° 58'N; 14° 46'E), village (pop. 816 in 1991), tourist resort and small harbour in the N part of Bascanska draga.

Approach: Landmarks: the coast lights in Senjska vrata: the white tower with a gallery (white light) in front of the house on Strazica point (Prvic Island); the red tower (red light) on Skuljica point (Krk Island); the ruins on Kricin point (E of the harbour); the belfry in the town; the quadrangular tower with a green top (green light) on the head of the breakwater; the red tower with a column and gallery (red light) on the head of the pier.

Mooring: Smaller vessels can moor along the waterfront; the root of the breakwater is reserved for passenger ships and a carferry. Larger vessels can anchor some 400m off the breakwater bearing SW (depths 2030 m); good holding. The inner harbour (depths 1.53 m) is sheltered from all winds; the anchorage is exposed to the bora and SE winds and is not recommended for a longer stay.

NE of Baska there are Vela luka and Mala luka coves, and SE there is Bracol cove. In Vela luka there is a landing ground (30 m long, 2 m deep); it is well protected from the sirocco and from the bora; during the stormy bora it is recommended to use a four-point moor along the E coast. In Mala luka there is a natural coast, but it is a safe shelter from all winds. In Bracol cove there is a landing ground for small vessels; it is well protected from all winds.

Facilities: Harbour master's branch office, post office, several shops, hotels, restaurants, travel agency, bank, camp site, mediccal service, chemist's. Skrpina Fishing Club and Vihor Sailing Club.

Water from a hydrant, provisions in the village. The harbour has two small slipways and a crane (0.8 t).

Car-ferry line: Baska - Senj and Baska - Lopar (Island of Rab).

Sights: Remains and excavations of the Roman settlement and fortifications; the churches of Sv Ivan (St John, early Romanesque), Sv Trojica (Holy Trinity, 1723), and Sv Marko (St Mark, Romanesque); Town Museum (ethnographic and maritime collections). Jurandvor: a former Benedictine monastery with Sv Lucija church (St Lucia), about 1100, the original site of the Bascanska ploca, the oldest Glagolitic inscription (on a stone tablet, dating back to ca. 1100) 2 km by road. Further on there is Bascanska draga village and a pheasant farm 4.5 km by road.

Baska is the venue of two traditional events taking place in August: Fishermen's Day (Dan ribara) and the Traditional Baska Wedding (Bascanski starinski pir).

STARA BASKA (44 57,5'N; 14 41E), cove and small harbour on the SW coast of the island of Krk.

Approach: Landmarks: the village and a church.

Mooring: At the head of a small landing ground (depth 2.53.7 m); four-point moor, anchoring towards NE and with a stern at the pier or the mainland. Good anchorage at the Klobucac point (not safe during SW and W winds). The cove is a good shelter from the bora; the harbour is protected from the sirocco.

PUNAT (45° 01'N; 14° 37'E), town (pop. 1,696 in 1991) and harbour in the large but shallow cove of Puntarska draga in the NE part of the Krk Bay. A popular seaside resort.

Approach: Landmarks: the white tower with a column and gallery (white light) in front of the small chapel at the E entrance point of Pod Strazicu; three round green towers (green lights) on concrete bases in the sea and three conical stone marks; the green tower with a column and gallery (green light) on the mole.

When entering, pass between the conical stone marks and the green lights, leaving the lights to the starboard (E) at least 10 m. When entering by day, turn to the harbour of Punat after passing the N green mark (light) by about 70 m, and by night when you see the green harbour light on the mole. Maximum speed 4 knots.

Mooring: The harbour is well sheltered from all winds. Smaller vessels can moor along the quay in the harbour or anchor off the town and N of the islet of Kosljun (a safe anchorage in stormy winds from NW); care should be taken of an underwater cable.

Facilities: Harbour master's branch office, post office, several hotels and restaurants, camp site, shops and medical service, chemist's. Good shopping for provisions; water from the hydrant on the quay. Arbun Fishing Club and Vihor Sailing Club.

Repairs carried out in the Punat Boatyard and in the marina.

Sights: Sv Trojica church (Holy Trinity, 1773, renovated in 1934). The old olive mill (stari tos, 18 C). The islet of Kosljun: the Franciscan monastery (formerly an early Romanesque Benedictine monastery, the cloister, defense tower, St Bernardine's chapel); Navjestenje Marijino church (Annunciation, 1523, fine collection of sacral art); a collection of stone monuments, ethnographic collection and old library with rare items.

PUNAT MARINA is situated on the E coast of Puntarska draga cove, N of the town of Punat, adjoining the Punat boatyard.

Capacity: 800 moorings for vessels up to 25m are laid out along the quay and the 11 jetties (four-point moor, depth 3.5 m); there are dry-berths for 300 vessels.

The marina is open the year round.

It has reception office, money-exchange, self-service shop, shop and duty-free shop, ship chandler's shop, snack-bar, two restaurants and an inn; skipper's club (restaurant, yacht club, medical service, sailing school); a parking lot for 500 cars. The chemist's is in the town; toilets and showers with hot water.

Tourist office is 200 m away. Custom-house is at the airport (30 km). A camp site for motorists is nearby; nudist camp (5 km). Fuel available in Krk.

Sport and recreation: fishing and underwater fishing outside Puntarska draga; tennis court, miniature golf. Boat rental (charter fleet): boats of various types up to 5 m in length, yachts (sailing boats and motor boats) up to 20 m in length.

Hoists (5 and 10 t), slipway (for vessels up to 30 and 50 tons), several travel-lifts; services (security, cleaning, etc.) provided; yacht services; hull repairs (wood, plastic, metal); regular hull inspection; repair, maintenance and installation of marine engines (VOLVO, JOHNSON, MERCURY, YANMAR, CUMMINS), electrical installations and battery charging; special varnishing shop.