Kut Harbour – a quieter nautical berth in the eastern part of Vis harbour

Kut Harbour is located on the eastern side of the large Vis bay, alongside the waterfront of the historic part of the town of Vis. It is one of two main areas for transient yacht berthing in the town – the other is situated at the town quay in the harbour. Although Kut is sometimes referred to as a marina on nautical charts and online services, there is no traditional marina in Vis. It is an organised town harbour within Vis Harbour, equipped with moorings and the basic infrastructure needed by sailors.

Kut is particularly popular among crews due to its location. Upon mooring, one steps directly onto the old stone quay, surrounded by palaces, taverns, restaurants, and the narrow streets of one of the most beautiful parts of Vis. The atmosphere here is calmer and more intimate than at the main quay in the harbour, while the entire town is accessible via a pleasant stroll along the waterfront.

Berths and mooring methods

Approximately 40 yachts can be moored at the quay in Kut. The berths are equipped with permanent moorings, so vessels are typically tied stern or bow to the quay, retrieving the mooring from the shore.

There are lockers on the quay with connections for electricity and drinking water, allowing for water tanks to be filled and the vessel's electrical system to be connected to the shore supply during the stay.

Kut does not have large pontoons or the service character of a modern marina. Its advantage lies in its immediate contact with the town – the boat is moored to the old quay, and restaurants, cafés, and other amenities are practically just a few steps away from the berths.

During the peak season, berths fill up quickly. Vis is a common stop on routes between Split, Hvar, Korčula, and Lastovo, so it is advisable to arrive early in the day, especially if the aim is to secure a spot in Kut.

Depth and vessel size

The depth is not uniform along the entire quay, and available nautical data indicates that the mooring in Kut is primarily suitable for vessels with a draft of up to approximately 2 metres.

Therefore, crews of sailing boats with a deeper draft, as well as owners of larger yachts, should check the available section of the quay and the depth at specific berths with the harbour staff before entering.

In contrast to the main quay in the harbour, where official depths are generally reported to be between 2.5 and 3.8 metres, Kut is shallower, and care should be taken when selecting a spot.

Water, electricity, sanitation, and waste

The harbour provides basic services necessary for a normal stay of a vessel in the town. The following are available at the berths:

connection to drinking water

connection to electricity

mooring for berthing

waste disposal

sanitary facilities and showers for sailors

Charges for berths and harbour services are collected at the reception or by official harbour staff.

During summer periods of high consumption, there may be restrictions on the use of drinking water on the island, so it is not advisable to rely on the ability to fill large vessel tanks without time limitations.

Shelter and winds – when to be cautious

Vis bay is a large natural harbour and offers good shelter from many wind directions, but Kut is not equally safe under all conditions.

The harbour is more exposed to north-west winds, and particular caution should be exercised during sudden summer storms that come from the west – locally known as pulenta. Such storms can quickly raise the sea in Kut and put significant strain on stern lines and moorings.

On the other hand, Kut is more favourable than the main quay when certain southern and south-eastern winds are blowing.

If a severe storm or unusually strong winds are forecasted, the choice of berths in Vis should not be made solely based on which part of the town is more attractive. Kut, Luka, and other locations in Vis bay react differently to specific wind directions, so it is advisable to check the forecast before arrival.

Waves from ferries and catamarans

Ferries and fast passenger catamarans enter Vis harbour daily. Their arrival can create waves that spread throughout the bay.

In Kut, this effect is generally less pronounced than directly next to the main town quay, but vessels should not be left too close to the stone shore. Stern lines and moorings should be properly adjusted, leaving enough space for the vessel not to lean against the quay during waves.

This is one of those details that are particularly important for crews staying overnight in Vis for the first time.

If there are no available spots in Kut

Kut and the main quay in Luka together accommodate approximately one hundred yachts, but during peak season, even that capacity may be insufficient.

Within Vis bay, there are additional mooring options on buoys or in an organised anchorage. If the aim is to stay in town and a berth at the quay is no longer available, this is the most practical alternative.

When anchoring freely within the harbour, it is important to respect the harbour regime and navigation corridors. Vis bay is not an ordinary cove – ferries, catamarans, tourist boats, and other vessels pass through it daily.

Fuel

The fuel station for vessels is located in the western part of Vis Harbour, near the ferry terminal, and not at the quay in Kut.

If refuelling is necessary, it is most practical to do so upon arrival or departure from the harbour, rather than after the vessel has already moored in Kut.

For larger vessels and during the busiest hours, one should expect potential waiting times and manoeuvring congestion around the ferry terminal.

Restaurants and supplies in Kut

One of the biggest advantages of this harbour is precisely what is available on land. Kut is the most gastronomically interesting part of the town of Vis, with a large number of well-known restaurants and taverns located around its quay and in the old streets behind the shore.

Once moored, there is no need for a car or other transport – dinner, morning coffee, or a stroll through the old town can begin practically right next to the boat.

In Kut and towards the centre of Vis, there are shops, bakeries, cafés, and other daily amenities, while the main part of the town, the ferry terminal, and other services can be reached via a promenade along the sea.

This is one of the reasons why many crews prefer Kut over the busier main quay when given the choice.

Kut or the main quay in Luka?

If the priority is a greater choice of depths and proximity to the ferry terminal, fuel station, and central part of the harbour, the main quay in Luka is more practical.

If a quieter atmosphere, the old town, and immediate proximity to restaurants are sought, Kut is often the more appealing choice.

The difference is most noticeable in the evening. While Luka is more open to traffic and the main town quay, Kut has the atmosphere of a small Dalmatian harbour – boats are moored next to old stone houses, and the nightlife takes place just behind the quay.

Thus, Kut is not merely a place to leave a boat overnight, but one of those berths where the stay itself is part of the experience of Vis.

Charges and berth reservations

Berthing in Kut is charged according to the official price list of Vis Harbour, with the amount depending primarily on the length of the vessel. Additional charges are applied for services related to mooring, electricity, water, and waste disposal, depending on the current price list.

Prices may change between seasons, so it is advisable to check them shortly before arrival rather than relying on older amounts published in nautical guides.

For Kut, it is generally not necessary to treat it like a large marina with traditional online booking. During the season, berths are usually filled based on availability, so for information on free spots, it is recommended to contact the harbour operator before arrival.

Harbour management and contact

The berthing services in Vis Harbour are managed by Gradina Vis d.o.o., which, as a concessionaire and harbour assistant, handles the reception of vessels, assistance with mooring and unmooring, and the collection of harbour fees.

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 harbour: luka-vis@gradinavis.hr

For larger vessels, deep drafts, or arrivals during peak occupancy, it is best to check the availability of berths in advance.

Useful information

Location: Kut, eastern part of Vis Harbour

Type: town harbour – not a traditional marina

Capacity: around 40 yachts

Mooring method: bow or stern to the quay

Recommended draft: up to approximately 2 m, depending on the section of the quay

Water: yes

Electricity: yes

Sanitary facilities and showers: yes

Waste disposal: yes

Fuel: fuel station in the other part of Vis Harbour, near the ferry terminal

Most adverse conditions: north-west wind and sudden storm from the west

Distance from restaurants and cafés: immediately next to the harbour

Manager: Gradina Vis d.o.o.