Winds on the Adriatic

Croatia is known as a nautical destination throughout the world. No matter how much sailing
experience you have, every sea, including Croatia's, has its own secrets. Its beauties as well
as its traps for those that do not know them are its winds. Find out more about the Adriatic's
winds and learn how to keep the sails of your boat taut.

Bura
The bura is an unpredictable wind that blows from the mainland towards the sea in gushes. It is relatively cold and dry, reaches moderate strength and can last several hours. It cleans and clears up the atmosphere, therefore visibility after the bura wind is excellent and the weather is sunny and clear.

Although the bura wind is generally a winter wind, it is present year round and mostly in the morning, reaching an average speed of 11 m/s. Given that it gushes from mountain slopes towards the sea, it comes most often from the northeast, that is from the NNE, NE or ENE directions. On the open sea, the bura often changes into the northwestern wind.

The bura is known for its "capriciousness", that is, its blowing in gushes, as well as sudden and often unexpected beginning. The gushes of wind can be accompanied by rumbling and exchange with calm or weak wind in periods of one or more minutes.

The summer bura appears mostly in the northern Adriatic in the area where the mountains are narrowest (Velebit). The coming of the bura can be recognized by the cloud cap that covers the top of Velebit or Biokovo Mountains before the beginning of the wind. The waves that are created by the bura are short and move away quickly from the mainland, while their broken tops are transformed into white sea foam. Strong gushes can temporarily lift drops of water into the air creating a "sea dust".

Here's some practical advice when it comes to the bura: if sailing along the coast of an island that is facing the mainland you run into a zone without vegetation, this is a sign that a strong bura blows there. If you are sailing during the bura, excitement will abound because it is a great challenge that requires caution with regards to the preparation of both boat and crew. Along with avoiding sailing close to windy coastlines, prepare yourself for possible maneuvering and arm yourself with patience, since you will probably have to change the combination of sails several times. Do not forget to put safety first. Sailing in small sailboats is recommended to top notch yachtsmen only.

Jugo
Jugo is a southwestern wind of moderate strength that blows from the sea towards the coast, and is present along the entire coastline, blowing in the ESE, SE or SSE directions. Generally, you will run into it more often when sailing south of the northern Adriatic and, as it belongs to the group of spring-fall winds that are accompanied by rain and humidity, the jugo does not blow often in the summer. When it does, you can recognize it by the following characteristics: the wind blows with a gradual increase without interruptions, creating very beautiful, long waves without noise and foam. Only when a strong jugo blows do the waves pound against the shoreline, retreating towards the open sea with a rumble.

Seeing as its wave are equal, and its constant strength and wind direction are its greatest challenge, the jugo allows for dynamic sailing with sails taut with constant wind that allows the sailboat to achieve great speed.

Maestral
Maestral is a typical Adriatic summer northwestern wind and one of those winds that are characteristic for beautiful and stable weather. After the morning calm, almost always around noon during summer begins its pleasant circulation that can last, with increases, to dusk. The maestral can reach force 5 to 6 winds, while areas where this wind is most common are the Zadar and Korcula channels.

It is almost as though the maestral was created for pleasant and carefree sailing without maneuvering because its force is constant and its nature is predictable and mild. While the bura and jugo, each in their own way, offer yachtsmen excitement and challenge, the maestral guarantees pure pleasure during which you can enjoy in the sea without any worries. Due to the fact that, at sunset, the necessary conditions for the creation of the maestral disappear, at the first sign of darkness, a gentle night force 3 breeze starts to blow from the mainland to give way at sunrise to a calm sea that will, on a regular basis, once again around noon be replaced by the refreshing maestral.

Even though the Adriatic sea does not belong to seas that are dangerous and unpredictable, and sailing can take place all year round, nevertheless, the most favorable conditions are from mid-June to mid-October when even those with little experience can enjoy in sea adventures.

We welcome you and wish you calm seas!

CROATIA'S UNDERWATER

Croatia's underwater has more than 85 registered diving locations with descriptions. Dive down to ancient sailboats and coral reefs, visit underwater caves and warship wrecks inhabited by schools of fish. Discover Croatia's underwater!

ISTRIA: PASSENGER FERRY WRECK BARON GAUTSCH, 8 NM FROM ROVINJ
depth: 28 - 42 meters
location is suitable only for advanced divers
The passenger ferry Baron Gautsch, 85 m long and 12 m wide, sank not far from Rovinj in 1914. It was on its way from Kotor to Trieste when it was destroyed by an underwater mine, taking 240 lives. The upper deck of the ferry lies at a depth of 28 m, the lower deck is at 36 m, while the bottom of the ferry is at 42 m. This well-preserved wreck is among the most beautiful in the Adriatic and offers the unique possibility of exploring the ferry's interior.

KVARNER: SHIPWRECK PELTASTIS, BAY OF KLIMNO, ISLAND OF KRK
depth: 7-32 meters
location is suitable for all categories, from beginners to advanced divers
The ship sank in 1968, smashing into rocks during a storm. Therefore, the wreck lies merely 50 m from the coast. The top of the mast is visible at a depth of 7 m, while the ship is buried in the silty seabed. The upper deck, cargo area and iron hull are accessible to divers, while the engine room beneath the stern can be reached by a narrow staircase. While diving, you can often come across 4 to 5 kg sea basses.

NORTHERN DALMATIA: KATEDRALA - SEVERAL UNDERWATER CAVES IN THE BAY OF SIROKA, ISLAND OF PREMUDA
depth: 5-40 meters
location is suitable for all categories, from beginners to advanced divers
Although the entire south-western coast of the island of Premuda, starting from the bay of Zaporat to the cape of Lopata, is great for diving, we recommend the Katedrala location, situated along the coast of the bay of Siroka, known for its several underwater caves with numerous crevices and cavities. The caves are connected by passages allowing you to go from one cave to the next. Due to the porous stone of the caves, daylight passing through the stone creates a magnificent play of light and shadow on the walls of the underwater chambers.

CENTRAL DALMATIA: UNDERWATER CLIFF CLOSE TO THE ISLET OF STAMBEDAR, PAKLENJACI ARCHIPELAGO NEAR THE ISLAND OF HVAR
depth: 5 - 45 meters
location is suitable for all categories, from beginners to advanced divers
Stambedar is an islet belonging to the Paklenjaci archipelago and lies near the island of Hvar. Stambedar is interesting for divers due to the fabulous underwater cliff that begins at the depth of 5 m and drops to the depth of 45 m. At greater depths there is a large number of red and purple gorgonias and rich underwater fauna: numerous fish, algae, snails and sea-urchins.

SOUTHERN DALMATIA: MERCHANT SHIPWRECK TARANTO, DUBROVNIK
depth: 23-55 meters
location is suitable only for advanced divers
The ship Taranto sank close to Dubrovnik in 1943. It was destroyed by a mine left by the Allies. Therefore scattered cargo and motor parts can be found around the well-preserved wreck. The boat itself was halfed, its stern partly sank into the sandy seabed, while the bow lies on an underwater cliff at a 45 degree angle. An added attraction to the location are the 2 groupers and several schools of fish that made the shipwreck their home.

Areas where diving is prohibited

harbors, anchorages and areas of high traffic
near military areas and boats
underwater reserves, nature parks and other protected coastal and underwater areas
the Brijuni National Park and the Krka National Park
the islands of Palagruza and Jabuka

Areas where special licenses are needed

the Kornati National Park
the Mljet National Park

Emergency contact information

Sea Search and Rescue: 9155(DAN), VHF channels 16,10,74
Decompression chamber Pula: tel/fax:++385 (0)52 217 877,24 572,
Decompression chamber Pula: mob.098/255 945, 098/219 225
Decompression chamber Split: IPM HRM tel.++385 (0) 21 354 511
Decompression chamber Split: tel/fax:++385(0)21 361 355,343 980

INFO and RESERVATION

Sailing School Adriatica

An adventure as a holiday

Relieve stress and spend an exciting holiday on the Adriatic while trying to master one of the most ancient human skills - sailing. Make handling sails, tying knots and sea navigating part of your everyday life.

Choose the type of course and starting point on one of the Adriatic islands and indulge in an unpredictable sea adventure.

Scuola di vela INFO