The video shows the damage
The storm off Unije gave many holidaymakers in Croatia and recreational boaters a fright. During the night of 19 July 2026, a violent thunderstorm front swept across the northern Adriatic. Potkujni Bay on Unije, a popular mooring spot in Kvarner, was particularly hard hit.
The storm is breaking
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According to media reports, seven yachts or boats carrying around 50 people ran aground there. The authorities have not yet provided a detailed breakdown of this figure for the bay in question. The Croatian Ministry officially refers to several dozen recreational craft that have run aground in the area around Unije, Susak and Lošinj.
Panoramic view across the bay
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Why the bay suddenly became dangerous
The videos from that night show one thing above all: with a ‘Nevera’, what appears to be a calm mooring spot can very quickly turn into a dangerous situation. If the wind shifts onshore or suddenly picks up, boats are pushed towards the beach or the rocks. Anyone at anchor or moored to a buoy is then reliant on every link in the mooring chain.
The key factors are the anchorage, chain length, mooring lines, shackles, buoy block, engine readiness and the space to leeward. If any of these components fails, or if there is insufficient time to react, a boat can run aground in a short space of time.
Several reports mention gusts of up to 60 knots. That is equivalent to around 111 kilometres per hour. For recreational boaters, it is not just the wind force that is crucial. The combination of darkness, confined spaces, choppy seas and the question of whether the chosen mooring still offers protection given the actual wind direction is what makes the situation critical.
What recreational boaters can learn from the Nevera
Thunderstorms are a feature of the Croatian Adriatic. They can be localised, intense and difficult to predict whilst at sea. Anyone travelling in Istria, the Kvarner region or along the Croatian islands should not judge thunderstorm conditions solely on the basis of whether a bay is popular or well-frequented. What is more important is its position in relation to the possible wind direction.
Before a stormy night, skippers should check that there is sufficient space to leeward, that the anchorage is suitable, that the chain can run freely, that the engine is ready to start immediately, and whether an anchor watch will be necessary. It is also advisable to take a critical look at any buoys. A buoy is only as secure as its block, line, shackle and state of maintenance.
BOOTE explains in its own safety guide, What to do on a boat during a thunderstorm. When preparing for sailing trips, it can also be helpful to check the latest weather data. Our overview shows The best weather apps for safe boating.
In Croatia in particular, recreational boaters should also bear in mind the local rules and the specific characteristics of the area. BOOTE has summarised the questions that New safety regulations in Croatia raises for recreational skippers.
A buoy field, your own anchor, or heading for harbour in good time: which strategy do you think is the safest during thunderstorms in Croatia? Share your experiences in the comments.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
