January Port of the Month: Kremik Marina

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-03-14 10:26:46
Contributors:
Topic: Noonsite
Countries: Croatia

Located in a pristine well-sheltered bay, surrounded by wooded hills, close to the picturesque medieval town of Primosten, Marina Kremik is the best base from which to explore the many delights of Central Dalmatia. Countless sheltered bays and some of Croatia’s best cruising attractions are within less than a day’s sail: the Kornati Marine Reserve, the easily navigable Krka river that leads to the Krka National Park and some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Europe, as well as several offshore islands, such as Vis which until not long ago was barred to foreign visitors.

Opened in 1983, it was only in 2003 that the marina was fitted with pontoons thus increasing its capacity to 393 berths, plus an additional 150 places ashore. Every berth is provided with its own finger pontoon, 220V/380V electricity and water. If the marina is called before reaching the entrance, every arriving boat is met by one or two attendants who will point to the assigned space, take the lines and help dock the boat. All these services are free and are included in the reasonable fee.

The spotless marina, with installations to match, has won the coveted European Blue Flag for its clean waters. As the marina is quite isolated it needs to be self-sufficient, so it has its own chandlery, restaurant, supermarket (open May to October) and reasonably-priced internet access. Immigration and customs officers are on permanent duty during the summer season. Marina customers have the services of a shuttle bus to the nearby port of Primosten and its supermarkets, post office, banks, hotels and many waterfront restaurants. As Croatia has zero tolerance for drink driving, this is a highly appreciated service by visiting skippers and their thirsty crews.

With a large charter fleet based there, the repair services are comprehensive and of a high standard. There is an 80-ton travelift (its pen to be finished early in 2007), a 40-ton slipway and a 5 ton fixed crane. The yard has a team of skilled workers that can undertake any kind of repair or maintenance work, mechanical, electrical, fibreglass and woodwork. For what cannot be done locally the yard manager will get help from outside, the nearby industrial town of Sibenik having a number of useful workshops, a sailmaker and upholsterer among them. The yard represents a number of well-known diesel engines: Volvo, Yanmar, Caterpillar, Mercruiser, it stocks or can order at short notice any spares, and sells International and Hempel marine paints.

Both the marina manager, Zeljko Malovic, and the yard manager, Sem Zuric, previously worked on container ships so, not surprisingly, the marina and boatyard are kept shipshape and Bristol fashion. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, the office personnel speak several languages, and everyone speaks good English. Many cruising sailors keep their boats here for the winter as protection is perfect and security is very good.

Because of its many attractions, not least the easy access to the various cruising opportunities that start virtually outside the marina entrance, as many as sixteen charter companies have made their permanent base here. The largest is Sunsail, with its own private 70-berth pontoon and its own facilities block. Among the others, Sailing Holidays (Techo Yachts) organise flotilla cruises, Mande Charter and Mare Charter specialize in racing yachts and Felyma Yacht Navigator rents out large de-luxe poweryachts.

The nearest international airport is Split, half an hour south by taxi or marina shuttle bus. The marina will book either, and the shuttle bus is normally used for crew changes. Split Airport has frequent flights to London, various European destinations, as well as internal flights to other parts of Croatia. A new motorway passes close to the marina and feeds into the European network.

Having used the marina during summer 2006 and left my own Aventura in their care, I can highly recommend Marina Kremik, which, I regard as the best long-term base in Croatia. Early bookings are strongly advisable, especially the limited number of places ashore, as they get fully booked by summer.

Jimmy Cornell, Noonsite

Marina KREMIK, Splitska 2, 22 202 PRIMOŠTEN CROATIA

Tel.+385 (22) 570 068, fax +385 (22) 571 142

Email: info@marina-kremik.hr