Luka Harbour – city berths in the heart of Vis

Luka Harbour is situated along the main city waterfront in the western part of Vis Bay and represents the largest designated area for transient yacht mooring in the town of Vis. Together with the harbour in Kut, it forms the main nautical section of Luka Vis, but it is important to note that Vis does not have a traditional marina with pontoons and an enclosed marina complex. Boats are moored directly alongside the city quay here.

For sailors wishing to be as close to the town centre as possible, Luka is a very practical choice. Once moored, everything is within easy walking distance – restaurants and cafés, shops, bakeries, a market, the ferry terminal, and other municipal services. Unlike the more intimate Kut, there is a greater sense of traffic and urban bustle here, but the central location is one of the main advantages of this harbour.

Approximately 60 berths along 300 metres of quay

The nautical section of the quay at Luka is approximately 300 metres long and can accommodate around 60 yachts. This is larger than the two main mooring areas in Vis – around 40 spots are available in Kut.

Boats are generally moored stern or bow to the quay, using permanent mooring lines. The quay is equipped with connection points for water and electricity, providing the basic services necessary for a multi-day stay at the berth.

When arriving in the season, it is wise to consider that spots can fill up quickly. Vis is one of the key nautical stops in the central Adriatic, particularly on routes between Split, Hvar, Korčula, and the southern islands, so during July and August, it is safer to arrive earlier rather than just before evening.

Depth along the quay

One of the advantages of Luka Harbour compared to Kut is the greater and more uniform depth. Along the approximately 300 metres of nautical quay, the depth generally ranges between 2.5 and 3.8 metres, which suits a large number of sailing and motor yachts that come to Vis.

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

Kut is shallower in certain areas, making Luka the more practical choice for yachts with a deeper draft.

Water, electricity, sanitation and waste

The harbour offers basic services necessary for sailors. Along the quay, there are connections for drinking water and electricity, and near the reception, there are sanitary facilities for crews.

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 the supply of drinking water to vessels may apply, so it is advisable not 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 quay in Vis for the first time.

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

For this reason, boats should not be moored too close to the quay. The stern lines and permanent mooring lines should be adjusted to ensure there is enough space between the stern and the shore, even when stronger waves arrive.

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

Protection from wind

Vis Bay is a large natural harbour 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 unfavourable 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 quay 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 the port staff about the best available berth before arrival.

When choosing between Luka and Kut, it is important not only to consider which part of the town is more appealing. The direction and strength of the wind can be more significant than the distance to restaurants or shops.

If the berths along the quay 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.

Directly in front of the city quays, there is an organised anchorage area, which serves as an alternative when there is no free space along the coast or when the crew simply prefers to stay away from the town's hustle and bustle.

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

Fuel station for boats

One of the practical advantages of Luka is the fuel station located within Luka Vis itself, in the area not far from the ferry terminal.

Fuel can therefore be taken on before mooring or just before departing from Vis. During the main season, particularly in the morning when a larger number of charter boats set off, there may be congestion and a short wait.

When manoeuvring around this part of the harbour, extra caution should be taken with ferries, catamarans, and other vessels using the operational part of the shore.

Supplies and facilities in the town

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

Food and drink shops, bakeries, a market, restaurants, cafés, a pharmacy, and other everyday services are all within walking distance. There is no need for a taxi or transport to the centre – one practically steps directly from the cockpit onto the quay in Vis.

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

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 is accessible via a pleasant walk along the waterfront.

Luka or Kut – where to moor?

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

Luka has more berths, a deeper quay, and immediate proximity to the main town facilities, the ferry terminal, and the 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 quay. There is a high concentration of restaurants around the harbour, 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 quay or the quieter Kut.

Charges and berth prices

The berth 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 the use of sanitary facilities, along with waste disposal charges based on the category of the vessel.

As the price list may change, it is more practical to check the current price shortly before arrival rather than publishing an amount in a tourist guide that may become outdated.

Payment of port fees is made at the reception or with authorised port staff.

Harbour management and contact

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

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 vessels with a deeper draft or length, arriving during peak occupancy or in unfavourable weather conditions, it is advisable to check availability and mooring conditions in advance.

Useful information

Location: Luka, western part of the town of Vis

Type: city harbour – not a traditional marina

Length of nautical quay: approximately 300 m

Capacity: around 60 yachts

Depth: generally 2.5 – 3.8 m

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

Water: yes

Electricity: yes

Sanitary facilities and showers: yes

Waste disposal: yes

Fuel: fuel station in Luka Vis

Most unfavourable winds: northern and northeastern

Special caution: waves when ferries and catamarans arrive

Manager: Gradina Vis d.o.o.