Komiža Harbour – Moorings and Berths for Boaters

Komiža Harbour serves as the primary docking location for visiting sailing boats, motorboats and yachts arriving in Komiža. It is not a traditional marina with pontoons and extensive service facilities, but rather a town harbour located in the heart of the settlement. Moorings for boaters are mainly situated on the inner side of the long breakwater, while during the summer season, mooring buoys are also available in Komiža Bay. The advantage of this location is that disembarking from the boat leads directly onto the Komiža promenade, with shops, restaurants, cafés and other amenities within walking distance.

On the inner side of the breakwater, there are approximately 30 berths with moorings. The first roughly 30 metres of the breakwater is reserved for fishing boats and larger vessels, while the next 100 metres is designated for visiting boaters. The depth is not uniform along the entire berth: it starts at about 6 metres at the outer part of the breakwater and gradually decreases to around 2 metres closer to the shore. Therefore, for sailing boats with a deeper draft and larger yachts, it is particularly important for harbour staff to determine the appropriate mooring location.

The harbour is not exclusively for smaller boats. The official price list for yachts, boats, sailing vessels and other craft categorises them according to overall length – from vessels up to 10 metres to those longer than 50 metres. A specific section of the price list for tourist boats on multi-day cruises accommodates lengths of up to 71 metres. However, this does not mean that every large vessel can secure a mooring without prior verification: the availability of berths depends on the free sections of the coast, the draft of the vessel, traffic in the harbour, and current weather conditions. For larger vessels, it is advisable to contact the harbour manager before arrival.

The berths are equipped with connections for drinking water and electricity. According to the official price list, the standard daily mooring fee includes the mooring or unmooring of the vessel, use of electricity and drinking water, waste disposal, and access to sanitary facilities with male and female showers. For short-term use of the operational quay for up to two hours, different conditions apply: water and waste disposal are included in the fee, while electricity and use of showers are charged separately. Payment can be made in cash in euros or by card, as per the published price list.

During the summer, an additional option is mooring buoys in Komiža Bay. The official Komiža Harbour website confirms that buoys for visiting vessels are used during the summer season, with designated anchorage areas traditionally including Pol Gospu and Lučica. The number of available buoys and their current availability is best checked upon arrival, as conditions and arrangements may change.

An important feature of Komiža is that moorings cannot be reserved. The rule of arrival is applied – first come, first served. Upon entering the harbour, it is necessary to inform the harbour staff, who will determine where the vessel can be moored based on available spaces and the size of the boat. In July and August, moorings can fill up quickly, so it is wise to consider the possibility of using a buoy during peak season.

When planning your arrival, special attention should be paid to the weather forecast. Komiža Bay is open to the west and southwest, so westerly and southwesterly winds can create uncomfortable seas and waves. The safest area is located behind the high breakwater, while anchoring in the centre of the busy harbour is not advisable for inexperienced boaters. The official pilot book specifically warns of difficult conditions during strong southerly winds and levanters.

Another significant advantage of mooring in Komiža is its location. The boat is practically in the centre of the town, so a car is not necessary for purchasing basic supplies, dining out, or exploring old Komiža. Due to the combination of a good location and a relatively limited number of moorings, Komiža Harbour can be in high demand during the summer.

Reception opening hours for Komiža Harbour: from 15 June to 15 September, Monday to Thursday 09:00–20:00, Friday 09:00–17:00, and Saturday and Sunday 09:00–12:00 and 18:00–20:00. Outside this period, the official opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00–13:00. These hours refer to the reception and not to the physical 'opening' or 'closing' of the harbour itself.

It is good to know: Komiža does not have a large number of transit moorings like traditional marinas. For smaller and medium-sized vessels, mooring on the breakwater is very practical, but for deeper drafts, care should be taken regarding the gradual decrease in depth towards the shore. For large yachts and tourist boats, the possibility of mooring should always be checked with harbour staff, regardless of whether their lengths are covered by the official price list.