Even though it was announced that all the marine traffic would be prohibited, the small boats up to 12m in length are allowed to get to the port
The construction of the eastern breakwater and a new waterfront in Sali is one of the major nautical investments in Croatia. Once it is completed, there will be more berths and they will be in a more sheltered position. Due to the vicinity of the National Park Kornati and the Telašćica Nature Park most boaters come to Sali before or after visiting the parks in order to get supplies or spend a day at berth where they can use electricity and water.
At the end of last year when the construction works began, it was announced that due to complexity of the construction works and due to the installation of the floating crane barge, the port would be closed until the completion of the work which is planned for the end of 2023. It was also announced that all the options that should enable boaters to sail in during summer would be explored because it is vital for numerous catering facilities in the town.
„The Extension of the Municipal port of Sali on Dugi otok“ project is conducted by ŽLU Zadar – Croatian Port Authority within the frames of the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 – 2020 with the overall goal to improve the accessability of inhabited islands to their residents. The total value of the project is 90.544.459,65 Kn or approximately 12.024,496 Eur. 85 per cent of the value is funded by the EU while 15 per cent is financed from the state budget. The work on the extention includes the construction of the coast in the total length of 148,5m or 141,5m of net anchor line, 4 m draft fixed on 72 reinforced concrete pilots with a diameter of 800 and 870 mm.
The project also includes the coastal area behind the newly-constructed coast and the construction of the main breakwater designed to protect against waves in the total length of 116m. It is designed as a structure on 18 reinforced concrete pilots with a diameter of 1300/1380 mm. A new coast and the inside of the main breakwater will provide berths for the vessels in public transportation, daily rentals and charter boats. During summer when one would expect the weather conditions to be favourable, it is allowed, due to its design, to use the outside of the breakwater for the occassional and short-term berthing of various vessels.
Even though it was announced that all the marine traffic would be prohibited this summer due to the construction works in the port effective the beginning of this year, the small boats up to 12m in length are allowed to get to the most popular port on Dugi otok. The port authorities have found the way to, at least partly, satisfy the boaters without interrupting the construction works that have to be completed within the established time frame to obtain funding So the exception has been made that allows the vessels up to 12m in length to sail in and berth until autumn. It is important to know that all these boats that wish to stay in Sali overnight need to arrive during daylight and use the specific corridor. We visited Sali at the beginning of July and saw a great number of boaters there.
