The port of Marina Punat is the oldest in Croatia, built in 1964—according to legend—to moor three—yes, three—boats. Open year-round, the Marina Punat marina is located in the southeastern part of one of the largest islands in the Adriatic Sea,the island of Krk, which lies off the northern coast of Dalmatia in Kvarner Bay—a renowned and popular destination for yachts in the Adriatic Sea. The marina is located right next to the town of Punat, in a bay that is naturally sheltered from winds and waves, with a small opening toward the sea, thus providing natural protection for moored yachts and boats.
The entrance to Kvarner Bay faces south, while the Marina Punat marina stretches along the bay’s eastern shore, right next to the bay’s entrance. Marina Punat consists of 11 piers perpendicular to the beach; given the calm nature of its waters and winds, it has no breakwater. While nature has blessed Marina Punat in some ways, it has also disadvantaged it with shallow waters; in fact, to enter the bay where the marina is located, theboat’s skippermust navigate through a narrow channel, only 3 meters deep, which becomes shallower as it approaches the mainland but is nevertheless well marked by flashing lights on both sides.
In addition to its offshore moorings, Marina Punat can accommodate up to 500 dry berths for boats up to 15 meters in length. The 11 floating docks are connected to water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, and a dedicated facility is also equipped for repairs and winter storage.
Marina Punat has won several awards and has been recognized many times as Croatia’s best marina, winning the award for Croatia’s Best Marina three years in a row in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Next to the marina is the Punat Shipyard; both the company that manages the marina and the one that operates the shipyard are among the leading entities within the Marina Punat Group.
What does a stop at Marina Punat have to offer tourists? The landscapeof the island of Krk features lush vegetation, especially inland, while the coastline is dotted with small fishing and farming villages that retain the charm of ancient rural communities. Certainly, Marina Punat can be an ideal starting point for sailing among the Kvarnerić and Kornati islands and discovering the beauty of Kvarner Bay, one of the main bays along the Croatian Riviera. Finding a place to stay won’t be a problem: Krk and nearby Cres offer numerous villages and resorts, while for those wishing to venture inland, tourist destinations such as Pula or Zadar are accessible by car or by plane from the nearby Rijeka Airport.
