Vis Island
|
Vis Island |
|
The island of Vis, known for its fishermen and seafarers, beautiful nature and growing tourist potential, lies far from the mainland and its troubles. Palm trees from the Vis nursery adorn many Croatian coastal towns. The Greeks founded their first colony on Vis (named Issa) and planted the first grapevine there as early as the 4th century. A Franciscan monastery was built on the remains of the Greek and Roman theater in the small town of Vis in the 16th century. Two churches from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved, as well as a number of Renaissance houses. The Island of Bisevo with an area of 6 sq. km, is to the southwest of the Island of Vis. Many caves have been carved into its steep coast. Among these, the Blue Cave (Modra spilja) with entrances both above and below sea level, should be singled out. When the sea is calm the light diffracts and paints the interior of the cave blue, and anything below the water line, silver. The effect rivals that of the well-known cave on Capri. The Medvidina cave is considerably larger, and has a natural monumental entrance. It is on the southern side of Bisevo. The approach corridor is 760 m long and leads onto the beach, a former habitat of the now almost extinct marine mammal, the Mediterranean monk seal. The Vis archipelago also includes the islands of Svetac (Sveti Andrija), Jabuka, Brusnik and the islands of Palagruza.
There is a fine harbour at Vis town on the Northeast corner of the Island, while a lesser anchorage is located on the western shore at Komiza. There are several very small harbor/landing points, namely at Milna and Okljucina.
| Anchorages | |||
| Place | Position | Adress | Information |
| Vis | 43° 04'N 16° 11'E | town (pop. 1,932 in 1991) and harbour on the N coast of the island of the same name |
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 3-4 m). Yachts drawing up to 2 m can berth along the shore in Kut Cove (to the SE). Deeper drawing yachts can also anchor in Kut Cove except during northerlies and northwesterlies. During the bora and the sirocco it is recom mended 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 300 m from the shore, E of the Issa hotel. Facilities: Harbour master's 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'N 16° 05'E | town (pop. 2,032 in 1991), harbour and spacious bay on the W coast of the island of Vis |
The bay is exposed to westerlies and south-westerlies, which raise a heavy sea. Behind the breakwater (depths 3-5 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 500 m W and 850 m S of the harbour light, but a bora renders it untenable. Facilities: Harbour master's office, post office, medical service, chemist's, Neptun fish cannery with its own fleet. |
