ACI Palmižana – Split

Today is ‘back to Split’ day, still 25 nautical miles. It is obvious that all charters have to be in harbour tomorrow morning: Sailing yachts are appearing from all directions towards Splitska Vrata. The water is busier than we saw anywhere this week.

With some light Jugo winds in our back, we slowly move through the Pakleni Kanal between Hvar and the Pakleni Otoci towards Rt Pelegrin (the most western tip of Hvar). There, we turn sharp north towards Splitska Vrata. Meanwhile, the wind changes to north-westerly directions (Tramontana again). By the time we reach Splitska Vrata, there is a stiff breeze. We turn towards Milna to gas up. Thanks to the great winds this week, we only used 10 litres of diesel.

We anchor for a couple of hours in one of the small bays just off Milna. One more swim, one more time enjoying the Adriatic sunshine. The water is clear, the sun is strong, and my beer is cold – what else do you want from life?

Around 17:00 we lift anchor and hoist the sails. Our course is 0 degrees, due north towards Split. In the end, the wind leaves us half an hour before we reach Split, so we have to motor the last few miles.

Kremena (Lastovo) – ACI Palmižana

A strong Bura wakes me up at 06:00. Although this bay is well-sheltered, the swell is very uncomfortable. This is caused by water being ‘pushed’ between the islands of Lastovo and Prežba. Around 08:00, the rest of the crew is awake as well, and we make a go for it. Not too bad, given that we have to make it back to the mainland before the weekend. With over 20 knots of wind, and boat speed reaching 7.5 knots, we race towards Korčula (course 330), until…. At 09:00 the wind dies down completely. That is the Adriatic as I know it, always ready to throw another surprise at you!

For one hour, our boat speed ranges from 1 to 2 knots, until (just after 10:00) a light north-westerly wind arrives. Tramontana did not let us down this year. After passing Korčula again, wind speed is well over 20 knots again.

We would not like to risk another night without sleep, so we do not moor in Hvar. Instead, we go to ACI Marina Palmižana. A cute, small, and very quiet harbour. Proper showers for the first time this week. And some extra fun is added when our German neighbour oversteps his dinghy, landing himself in the water. In the evening, we have a great dinner at the Restaurant Meneghello.

Vinogradisce (Sveti Klement) – Hvar

Taking it easy today. There are clouds, and the weather-forecast talks of rain showers. The clouds diminish, and the showers don’t show up at all. But it is time for a visit to the Zoo. In other words: we would like to moor along the Riva (quay) in Hvar again.

We will regret that later, though. Around 02:00 the next morning, some still-awake visitors and locals start throwing a party on the quay. This because of a general lack of pubs that are still open at this time of the night (at least in pre-season. Three guitars and a drum. Continuing until 06:00 AM.

We hebben trouwens goed gegeten bij Restaurant Luna.

Vis – Vinogradisce (Sveti Klement)

No wind during the morning. We haven’t got a clue where we are heading, but we do know that we want to leave the harbour. In the end we motor towards Sveti Klement, one of the Pakleni Otoci. However, the wind starts building up! Again, that solid north-westerly, 15 – 20 knots! So it’s sailing time again. We try and find dolphins between Vis, Šolta and Hvar. Unfortunately, we do not find them this year.

Late afternoon, we sail back to Sveti Klement and anchor in Palmižana Cove.

Lučice – Vis

Again a strong south-westerly today. It is a slow wake-up morning. We swim a bit, and leave the bay after a late breakfast around 11:00. Vis or Komiža, that’s the question… Given the weather-forecast (constant westerly winds during the night), Komiža is not the best possible place. The harbour is not that well-protected, and especially westerly and south-westerly winds can create heavy swell here. So Vis becomes our destination for today.

Split – Lučice (Brač)

Around 16:00 we leave Split harbour. Great wind, so hoisting the sails is the first thing to do. It always takes a few minutes to sort out a boat that you have not sailed before. We set sail for Splitska Vrata, the channel between Brač and Šolta. That is the point where my holiday really begins.

With wind coming from the NW (Tramontana), around 15 knots, we make good progress. After clearing Splitska Vrata, we head due east. Our destination for today is Lučice, a cove on the southern side of Brač. Upon entering the bay around 19:00, we are surprised by the strong smell of the pine trees. We pick a mooring, and prepare our first meal (and open our first beer…).