Sailing Near Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia - Safe ?

[slonn]

Hi,
We are planning to sail from Greece to Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia. Is this coast safe enough? Is is safe to enter marinas, especially in Albania? If not - then is it safe just to pass near Albania?

Are there some special things to know near that coast?

Thanks

[swagman]

Hi Matey,
No worries in Montenegro, Croatia or Slovenia. Not sure on Albania.
Can't give from personal experience as we bypassed Albania on our way from Corfu to Croatiain summer 2007. At that time the pilot books did not encourage entry to Albania inferring the local officials had the old eastern block approach to yachties. One skipper we chatted to in Greece had visited the main Albanian entry port in 2005 and he told us he was confined to the dock area 'for his own safety'.
Can confirm Croatia is lovely in marinas on not.......
Some pictures on our blog so go look midsummer 2007.
Cheers
JOHN

[Palarran]

Swagman, your blog is kick a$%. I've got to find a day or two here to read it all. Well done!

[Twixter]

We are in Croatia now and plan to check out Montenegro and Albania on the way back to Greece. We plan to make only one or two stops in Albania. Here is one marina we are looking at checking out:

Posizione


I will update once we get there (and hopefully have better internet).

[ales]

Hi There

I am an native from former Yugoslavia ( Slovenija, Croatia, Montenegro)
There was never a safety issue in adriatic, but for a time in Albanian waters, for Yachtsman. Even there situation has changed to the better in last few years. Albania is opening an trying yo catch the step with the world...
During the war in former Yugoslavia quite a few of us were safely sailing in adriatic.

If you plan to cruise during summer months in Croatia you might find some places rather crowded. Since there is a big charter fleet ( at least 20.000 boats strong) in Adriatic and in august a lot of Italian boaters come over...
There is quite a good chance that you will meet some of the super yachts of the day in Adriatic specially in the Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar region...

But there is still plenty of space, coves and marinas. Even in the high season you can find really nice quiet places just a bit of bitten track.

Sometimes the unexperienced charter lot can pose a treat because of reckless seamanship and the unexpectedly strong winds which can arise quite suddenly. Especially Bora wind- NE coming over high mountain ranges along the coast and thunderstorms form the W can be devastating Even in summer they can reach 60 and more kts. They are gusty and usually in summer do not last very long but you must be aware of them...