Marina di Umago

Many sailors do not choose to use Umag as their first Croatian port of call because it is out of the way compared to other choices of ports of call along the Istrian coast, which better suit a hypothetical travel plan for a vessel departing, for example, from Veneto. Consider, however, that these ports along the Istrian coast are busy and touristy piers and therefore, although the paperwork to be done at the harbormaster’s office has decreased with Croatia’s 2013 entry into the EU, the waiting time for delivery of the entry declaration and payment of the navigation fee (which varies depending on the length of the hull and the period of stay) can be long. When leaving the country, the same procedure must be done and the exit declaration handed in.

Umag offers excellent mooring services and fast bureaucracy. In addition, mooring costs are lower than all other places on the Istrian coast. The town has a small old town center with a square to visit and very well maintained, from the sea one immediately notices the bell tower and buildings built with typical Istrian white stone, a type of limestone that has the characteristic of being resistant to corrosion caused by salt and widely used during Venetian rule. Umag is also regarded as a sports center of the Istrian area and has a beautiful hinterland dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees and vines.

Umag is 40 km from the city of Trieste, and to the north of the town, just behind Point Savudrija in Slovenia, is the small town of Piran, a quaint, newly renovated and very well-maintained Istrian resort that is well worth a visit. Extending the route might be worthwhile, Umag offers customs service and has a harbormaster’s office open year-round and looks like a small tourist center, in the harbor bay the pier for customs is immediately to the right after the entrance, also there are buoys available at a modest price, not to be considered in case of a north wind. The ports are very exposed to all winds from the north and northwest that generate waves within the bay. In summer, the pronounced wave problem occurs in the event of a storm. For entry keep in the center, presence of shallows, the entrance is well marked by two flashing beacons.

Located within the port of Umag , the Aci marina has a breakwater and several floating docks. The port facility can accommodate mega yachts up to 40 meters in length, and the capacity is 475 berths at sea of 90 berths on land with a 50-ton crane. The marina is well served with technical assistance and a nautical store as well as a money changer and a restaurant. Near the marina is the Hotel Adriatic, from here an electric train runs to the center of Umag.

In conclusion, landing in Umag is definitely recommended, remember to hoist the Croatian courtesy flag on the starboard side on the outside and check your driver’s license (mandatory in any case in the country).