Cavtat - Clearance

Port of Entry: Summer only (April to October 0800-2000)

Croatian regulations state that you must clear in at your nearest port of entry. Therefore, if coming from Greece (in the summer and within office hours) then Cavtat will be your POE.

However, cruisers recommend heading for Gruz/Dubrovnik if possible, which has a much easier and more efficient system and is a better location for vessels.

Note: 

• The Harbormaster is only open until 15:00 and closed on Sundays. If you arrive in Cavtat after 15:00 you can anchor after seeing the border police and wait until the next day (07:00) to see the Harbormaster.
• Vessels arriving after 15:00 on a Saturday should check-in with the border police and then complete check-in with the harbormaster in Dubrovnik on Sunday.
• Vessels arriving on a Sunday can clear with the border police (open 7 days a week) but will have to wait until Monday to check in with the Harbormaster.
• Check out on a Sunday is possible as only the border police need to be visited.
• It is worth going on line to purchase your tourist tax for boaters prior to arrival Tourist tax for boaters | Online payment of tourist tax for vessel owners or users (evisitor.hr)

Over the years Noonsite has received mixed reports from cruisers about the officials' behavior in Cavtat.

There is one stern-to berth for customs clearance on the "Q" dock where there is CCTV, and you have to wait at anchor in the bay until the space is vacated by the previous boat. Don't let any crew go ashore until cleared in.

Berthing and electricity are charged separately and facilities are limited. Be aware that people offering assistance with berthing here will expect to be paid.

First, go to the Harbormaster with all documents and pay for clearance (there is an ATM next door) and get your Vignette. Then go to the Police, situated about 50m to the North (through a garden). Fill in a crew list which is stamped and show your passports.

Last updated: August 2024