Sailors 'Take Over' Paradise on Hvar
Morski reader outraged by practice of occupying entire coves and beaches, calls for stricter regulations and sailor education.
Morski reader outraged by practice of occupying entire coves and beaches, calls for stricter regulations and sailor education.
The practice of sailors occupying entire coves and beaches has become a daily occurrence along the Croatian coast, with the latest example coming from the island of Hvar. A reader of the Morski portal sent a photograph illustrating this issue, taken on Monday, August 3, 2026, around 3 PM.
The photograph shows the bay of Čisti Dolac, located at the very entrance to Tiha on the northern side of Hvar. It depicts a single catamaran anchored in the very heart of the bay, giving the impression that the owner has claimed the entire coastline.
In the accompanying text, the outraged reader quotes an old folk saying: "The frog saw the horse being shod, so it lifted its leg too." They add that it seems various sailors have adopted this practice as well.
By definition, the maritime domain is public and accessible to all, but in reality, sailors-especially those with larger vessels-often behave as if their "private coves" came with the boat rental. While some might argue this is an isolated case or that sailors pay for moorings, that does not justify occupying space in a way that blocks access for others.
Such behavior raises broader questions about the need for stricter regulations and oversight of the maritime domain, as well as the need to educate sailors on ethics and responsible behavior at sea. Until these issues are addressed, citizens will continue to face scenes like the one in Čisti Dolac, which symbolize a wider and more deeply concerning dynamic.
