islad Pag
Caska bay
Croatia - your sailing destination
At the anchor
Caska bay
Visited in the Summer 2021
Island Pag, specially it’s NE side and Pag bay is fascinating nautical destination well wort visiting. It is completely out of popular charter routs. In 3 days we met not more than 10 sailing yachts.
Pag bay is huge with many options for anchoring depending of wind direction and forecast.
We had very stable and calm conditions so we decided to go all the way to the end to Caska bay (which is part of the Pag bay)
Anchoring is possible anywhere in front of the Caska beach. It is safer in front of the small harbour and old tower as it is better protected from “Bura”. Soft sand and mud is holding very well.
Land is low so you don’t get much protection from the wind, only waves. That should be enough.
In case of SE wind, better anchor in front of town Pag which is on the SE side of the Pag bay.
Zubovici and Metajna are good anchorages as well but chose wisely depending of the wind direction.
As you see, there are many options but neither gives total protection so check forecast.
If you decide to visit this side of the island be aware of “Bura”. It is not a problem when you are in the bay but on the way. Closest safe anchorage is in about 30NM, both sides ( NW or SE) so plan this trip in advance.
Photo gallery
On the way
Around the island
In the Caska today once stood Cissa which was the largest Roman settlement on the island of Pag. The remains of old houses and fortifications, along with parts of the aqueduct that supplied water to Cissa and its port Novalja (lat. navalia – port), are still visible today. If you dive into the underwater world of Caska, you will see the remains of the buildings, but most of the sunken city cannot be seen because of the layers of mud, sand and seaweed.
Among the historical sights stands out the old tower – the tuna observatory. This unique structure overlooking the bay of Caska was built to help the hunting for tuna that once were gathering here in schools.
Caska beach is nice family destination. Shallow water and sand bottom makes it good for kids. We had pizza and cevapcici in the beach restaurant Žal and we where pleased with food and prices. Nothing fancy but better than expected.
Next to Caska bay is Zrce, famous party destination.
Nice beach and many good clubs with different styles of music to please all ears. We where there just at the beginning of the season so it was not crowded jet.
If you decide to walk to Novalja, it will take about 40min. (3,5 km). There are no trails so you can only walk on the road. It was not too bad as there is not too much traffic.
Novalja town is famous tourist destination, so you can see many hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops. There is a small harbour and anchorage as well if you decide to come by the sea. Very nice starting point for exploring the rest of the island.
