SOUTHERN DALMATIA (ELAPHITI ISLANDS, MLJET, KORČULA, PELJEŠAC)

Dubrovnik: boating safety

Last verified:

Dubrovnik is the southernmost charter base in Croatia. Boats usually start from the marina at Komolac on the Rijeka Dubrovačka inlet and cruise the Elaphiti islands, Mljet, Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 195
Call MRCC Rijeka on 195. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Croatia: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

The Dubrovnik Harbour Master's Office (Lučka kapetanija Dubrovnik) is at Vukovarska 16. It runs a 24-hour duty desk for vessel traffic, search and rescue. Harbour master's offices in Croatia are called directly on VHF channel 10.

Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia) · Istria Tourist Board ▾
mmpi.gov.hr (2026-10-14): “Vukovarska 16, 20000 DUBROVNIK”
istra.hr (2026-10-14): “For a direct call to a harbor master’s office, the channel 10 is used.”

ACI Marina Dubrovnik (Komolac) listens on VHF channel 17.

ACI marina Dubrovnik ▾
aci-marinas.com (2026-10-14): “ACI marina Dubrovnik Tel: +385 (0) 98 398 813 UHF/VHF channel 17”

Weather

Dubrovnik Radio broadcasts maritime safety information, including gale warnings and forecasts, in English and Croatian on VHF channels 04, 07, 28 and 85 at 06:20, 13:20, 20:20 and 01:20 UTC.

Plovput (Croatian coast radio service) · Plovput (Croatian coast radio service) ▾
plovput.hr (2026-10-14): “CRS Dubrovnik Radio Ch 04, Ch 07, Ch 28, Ch 85 06:20 / 13:20 / 20:20 / 01:20”
plovput.hr (2026-10-14): “Weather reports include warnings about gales, synoptic data and weather forecasts for mariners.”

Local rules

Within 300 m of the coast, in narrow channels and on approaches to harbours and anchorages, all vessels must keep a speed of no more than 8 knots.

Narodne novine (Official Gazette of Croatia), NN 52/2025, Article 50 ▾
narodne-novine.nn.hr (2026-10-14): “U području do 300 m od obale, u uskim kanalima, na prilazima luka i sidrišta svi plovni objekti dužni su ploviti posebnom pažnjom brzinom ne većom od 8 čvorova”

Anchoring is banned closer than 150 m to the shore of a natural beach.

Narodne novine (Official Gazette of Croatia), NN 52/2025, Article 53 ▾
narodne-novine.nn.hr (2026-10-14): “na udaljenosti manjoj od 150 metara od obale prirodnog kupališta.”

A foreign boat or yacht arriving from abroad must go by the shortest route to a port open to international traffic and buy a vignette. It may not anchor before it has the vignette, except in force majeure, which must be reported to the nearest harbour master's office.

Government of the Republic of Croatia (gov.hr) · Government of the Republic of Croatia (gov.hr) ▾
gov.hr (2026-10-14): “Strana brodica i jahta koja dolazi iz inozemstva dužna je najkraćim putem uploviti u luku otvorenu za međunarodni promet i ishoditi vinjetu.”
gov.hr (2026-10-14): “Zabranjeno je sidrenje na sidrištima stranim plovilima prije ishođenja vinjete osim u slučaju više sile kada o tome treba izvijestiti najbližu lučku kapetaniju.”

Hospital and medical

Dubrovnik General Hospital (Opća bolnica Dubrovnik), Dr. Roka Mišetića 2, has a 24-hour emergency department (Objedinjeni hitni bolnički prijam).

Opća bolnica Dubrovnik · Opća bolnica Dubrovnik ▾
bolnica-du.hr (2026-10-14): “Opća bolnica Dubrovnik Dr. Roka Mišetića 2 20 000, Dubrovnik”
bolnica-du.hr (2026-10-14): “Hitna Služba 0-24 Objedinjeni hitni bolnički prijam”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Dubrovnik?

Call MRCC Rijeka on 195. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Dubrovnik?

The Dubrovnik Harbour Master's Office (Lučka kapetanija Dubrovnik) is at Vukovarska 16. It runs a 24-hour duty desk for vessel traffic, search and rescue. Harbour master's offices in Croatia are called directly on VHF channel 10.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik Radio broadcasts maritime safety information, including gale warnings and forecasts, in English and Croatian on VHF channels 04, 07, 28 and 85 at 06:20, 13:20, 20:20 and 01:20 UTC.

Read before you sail

Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerChartering in Croatia: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Kotor 33 nmSplit 87 nmŠibenik 115 nmZadar and the Kornati 152 nmCorfu 199 nmNaples / Amalfi Coast 203 nmPula / Istria 228 nmLipari / Aeolian Islands 288 nm

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com