Osor (Ossero) is an anchorage that does not offer the best shelter, but it has a strategic location. It is situated just before the navigable channel (the Cavanella Channel) built by humans to separate the islands of Cres and Lošinj. Osor, in fact, takes its name from a Roman town that was once flourishing and glorious and was situated near the canal. The passage allows you to avoid sailing around the island of Lošinj and shortens the journey for those heading, for example, to Novalja on the island of Pag. The Osor anchorage is the ideal place to wait for the bridge to open (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). When closed, the bridge is just under two meters high. Be mindful of the five-knot speed limit when crossing the canal. Boats coming from the south have the right of way, and those waiting must maneuver or anchor so as not to interfere with passing boats. The channel is twelve meters wide and about three meters deep.

If you decide to anchor in Osor Anchorage, be aware of the bora, which can be very strong. In this case, you’ll need to secure the boat with a line to shore. You can moor at the stone pier, but there are no facilities, and it is exposed to the surf. At the pier, you can moor bow- or stern-to, but only if your boat has a shallow draft. When approaching from the north at night, look for a red light flashing every 3 seconds (Osor Bay) and a red light flashing every 1.5 seconds (start of the channel). Coming from the south, the passage is just under 50 meters wide at the start and then narrows to 12 meters in the channel. At night, it is marked by green and red lights flashing every two seconds on both sides.

The nearby island of Lošinj is worth a visit, first and foremost for its small sandy beaches (which are hard to find in Croatia), but also for its typical Mediterranean scrub and fresh air. The island isn’t as touristy as Istria, but in recent years several hotels and campgrounds have been opening up; however, you can still find quiet, secluded spots. The seafood restaurants in Lussingande are very popular, offering ocean views, reasonable prices, and excellent-quality fish. Transportation on the island relies entirely on a single road, so it’s more practical to take a boat to explore its various sites.