Luka Marina – City Berths in the Center of Vis

Luka Marina is located along the main city waterfront in the western part of Vis Bay and represents the largest organized space for transient yacht mooring in the town of Vis. Together with the marina in Kut, it forms the main nautical area of Luka Vis, but it is important to note that Vis does not have a classic marina with pontoons and a closed marina complex. Boats are moored directly along the city waterfront.

For sailors who want to be as close to the city center as possible, Luka is a very practical choice. Once moored, everything is within walking distance – restaurants and cafes, shops, bakeries, a market, the ferry terminal, and other city services. Unlike the more intimate Kut, there is a greater sense of traffic and city bustle here, but the central location is one of the main advantages of this marina.

About 60 Berths on 300 Meters of Waterfront

The nautical section of the waterfront in Luka is approximately 300 meters long and can accommodate around 60 yachts. This is larger than the two main marinas in Vis – about 40 spots are available in Kut.

Boats are generally moored stern or bow to the waterfront, using permanent mooring lines. The waterfront is equipped with connection boxes for water and electricity, providing basic services needed for multi-day stays at the berth.

When arriving in the season, it is advisable to account for the fact that spots can fill up quickly. Vis is one of the key nautical stations in the central Adriatic, especially on routes between Split, Hvar, Korčula, and the southern islands, so it is safer to arrive earlier rather than just before evening.

Depth Along the Waterfront

One of the advantages of Luka Marina compared to Kut is the greater and more uniform depth. Along the approximately 300 meters of nautical waterfront, the depth generally ranges between 2.5 and 3.8 meters, which accommodates a large number of sailing and motor yachts coming to Vis.

However, for vessels with a deeper draft, it is always wise to check the specific available berth with the port staff before arrival. The depth is not uniform along every part of the waterfront, and the arrangement of boats also depends on their length and width.

Kut is shallower in some areas, making Luka the more practical choice for deeper draft sailboats.

Water, Electricity, Sanitary Facilities, and Waste

The marina offers basic services needed by sailors. Along the waterfront, there are connections for drinking water and electricity, and sanitary facilities for crews are arranged near the reception.

Available services include:

drinking water connection

electricity connection

permanent mooring lines

sanitary facilities and showers

waste disposal

assistance from port staff with mooring and unmooring

During periods of increased water consumption on the island, special rules or restrictions on supplying vessels with drinking water may apply, so it is not advisable to leave large tanks completely empty, relying solely on refilling upon arrival in Vis.

Caution Due to Ferries and Catamarans

This is likely the most important practical information for crews mooring a boat at the main waterfront in Vis for the first time.

Large ferries and fast catamarans regularly enter Vis harbor during the day. Their arrival can create a swell that spreads towards the city waterfront and moves moored boats towards the rocky shore.

For this reason, boats should not be moored too close to the waterfront. Stern lines and permanent mooring lines should be adjusted to ensure there is enough space between the stern and the shore even when a stronger swell occurs.

The port operator explicitly warns sailors about this. In Kut, the waves from the ferries are usually felt less than at the main waterfront, so it is particularly important in Luka to check the distance of the boat from the shore after mooring.

Wind Protection

Vis Bay is a large natural harbor that provides good protection in most typical summer conditions, but the main berths in Luka are not equally safe and comfortable in every wind direction.

The most unfavorable winds are from the north and northeast. In such conditions, the sea within the bay can become choppier, and the eastern part of the city waterfront is particularly exposed.

In stable summer weather, the stay is generally calm, but if strong bora or winds with a pronounced northern component are forecasted, it is advisable to consult with port staff about the best available berth before arrival.

When choosing between Luka and Kut, one should not only consider which part of the city is more attractive. The direction and strength of the wind may be more important than the distance to restaurants or shops.

If the Berths Along the Waterfront Are Full

During the peak season, around 60 berths in Luka and approximately 40 in Kut may be fully occupied. However, this does not necessarily mean that one must leave Vis Bay.

Immediately in front of the city waterfront, there is an organized anchorage area, which serves as an alternative when there are no free spots along the coast or when the crew simply prefers to stay outside the city crowd.

When anchoring within Vis Bay, special attention should be paid to navigation routes. The harbor has regular ferry and catamaran traffic, tourist boats, and a large number of smaller vessels, so it is not an ordinary quiet bay where one can anchor without regard to the port regime.

Fuel Station for Boats

One of the practical advantages of Luka is the fuel station located within Luka Vis, in the area near the ferry terminal.

Fuel can therefore be refueled before mooring or just before departing from Vis. During the main season, especially in the morning hours when a larger number of charter boats set off, there may be congestion and short waiting times.

When maneuvering around this part of the harbor, extra attention should be paid to ferries, catamarans, and other vessels using the operational part of the coast.

Supplies and Facilities in the City

For stocking up the boat, Luka is more practical than many island marinas precisely because the boat is moored in the city itself.

Grocery stores, bakeries, markets, restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and other daily services are available within walking distance. No taxi or transport to the center is needed – one practically steps directly from the cockpit onto the waterfront of Vis.

The ferry terminal is also nearby, from where ferries and catamarans depart to Split, as well as bus connections to Komiža. This can be useful if part of the crew wants to explore the island without a boat or if crew members are changing during the trip.

For dinner, there is a wide selection in Luka itself, while an even greater concentration of well-known Vis taverns and restaurants can be found in Kut, which can be reached by a pleasant walk along the shore.

Luka or Kut – Where to Moor?

Both marinas allow for a stay practically in the center of Vis, but the experience is not entirely the same.

Luka has more berths, a deeper waterfront, and immediate proximity to the main city facilities, ferry terminal, and fuel station. It is particularly practical for boats with a deeper draft and crews who value easy access to supplies.

Kut is smaller, quieter, and has a more intimate atmosphere of the old Dalmatian waterfront. There is a high concentration of restaurants around the marina, and the waves created by ferries are usually felt less.

On the other hand, in Luka, one must be more cautious of the ferry waves and the northern and northeastern winds. If weather conditions permit, the choice generally comes down to whether the crew prefers the livelier main waterfront or the quieter Kut.

Fees and Prices for Berths

The berth fee is charged according to the official price list of Luka Vis. The price primarily depends on the length of the vessel, and special rules apply for catamarans.

The port fee according to the current official price list includes basic services such as mooring and unmooring, electricity, drinking water, and use of sanitary facilities, along with waste disposal fees according to the category of the vessel.

Since the price list may change, it is more practical to check the current price shortly before arrival than to publish an amount in a travel guide that may become outdated.

Payment of port fees is made at the reception or by authorized port staff.

Port Management and Contact

Nautical services in Luka Vis are managed by Gradina Vis d.o.o., the concessionaire and port assistant of the Port Authority of Split-Dalmatia County.

Gradina Vis d.o.o.

Phone: +385 21 711 121

Phone: +385 21 717 351

Email for nautical inquiries: nautika@gradinavis.hr

Email for the port: luka-vis@gradinavis.hr

For vessels with a deeper draft or length, arrival during peak occupancy periods, or unfavorable weather forecasts, it is advisable to check availability and mooring conditions in advance.

Useful Information

Location: Luka, western part of the town of Vis

Type: City marina – not a classic marina

Length of nautical waterfront: approximately 300 m

Capacity: around 60 yachts

Depth: generally 2.5 – 3.8 m

Mooring method: stern or bow to the waterfront, using permanent mooring lines

Water: yes

Electricity: yes

Sanitary facilities and showers: yes

Waste disposal: yes

Fuel: fuel station in Luka Vis

Most unfavorable winds: northern and northeastern

Special caution: waves upon arrival of ferries and catamarans

Manager: Gradina Vis d.o.o.