PORT Polače
The harbour of Polače is situated in the NW end of the island of Mljet in Croatia, the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands in the Dalmatia region. The island is located in the immediate vicinity of Dubrovnik, Korčula island and Pelješac peninsula, from which it is divided by the Mljet channel. The NW part of the island has been a national park since 1960. There are no marinas on the island, just a scattering of small harbours and anchorages, most of them situated along the N coast. Together with Pomena harbour on the W coast, Polače is one of two convenient harbours where one can safely leave a boat and visit Mljet National Park. Situated at the head of a two-mile-long inlet and protected by a chain of islands from N, Polače is one of the best-sheltered harbours in the Adriatic, although strong E winds may cause waves, in which case it is better to head over to Pomena.
Berths
Depending on whether the crews wish to eat ashore or not, visiting yachts can moor along the quay on S side of the bay, where most of the moorings are reserved for restaurant guests, or anchor off in the bay. The latter option does not afford much peace and quiet during the summer months as the anchorage can get very crowded. The best place to anchor is the NW side of the bay, where the holding is excellent, but avoid anchoring anywhere near the rocky patch W of the Roman castle ruins.
If you choose to eat ashore at one of the restaurants, you will be able to use a laid mooring and often water and electricity. Depths on the quays are around 3 – 4 metres, although this drops to a metre or less W of the ferry jetty and 2 – 3 m by the quay next to the Roman castle ruins.
Useful Information
Polače is located within the national park of Mljet in a protected bay, which is why anchoring and mooring are charged according to the price list for entrance fees to Mljet National Park. Polače is one of the official entrances to the National Park Mljet along with Crna Klada and Pomena.
Facilities in Polače include tourist office, bakery, grocery shops and several restaurants. The main ticket office of Mljet National Park is at Goveđari, halfway between the island’s main entry points of Polače and Pomena. There is also an ambulance in Goveđari. The nearest fuel station is in Sobra on NE side of Mljet island.
All of the settlements on Mljet are connected by bus. The island is easily reachable by catamaran line from Dubrovnik, ferry from Prapatno (Pelješac peninsula) to Sobra and catamaran line Split-Brač-Hvar-Korčula-Mljet-Dubrovnik.
Mljet National Park spans over almost one-third of the island. Two deep bays filled with seawater, known as Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero (Small Lake and Great Lake) are the most visited locations on the island, which are connected to Polače and Pomena by footpaths.
Boaters can only sail and anchor in Pomena and Polače. Sailing is strictly prohibited in the lakes of Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero and the Soline channel. Fishing, diving and camping are also strictly prohibited in the Mljet National Park area. You also mustn’t empty the content of the septic tank as well as throw garbage and waste into the sea. In case of non-compliance, you will be fined.
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