The first thing we had to get was a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Croatia. Fortunately this was easy and affordable at 49 eruo’s in the Mobilab right in Porto Montenegro. The other bonus was they used a 2 swab process with 1 for the nose and 1 for the throat, so there was no “brain tickle” this time. Results came back by 6 pm and Todd uploaded these results in PDF format to the entercroatia web site for travelers @https://entercroatia.mup.hr/.
We contacted the Port of Dubrovnik in Gruz and were directed to tie up on the customs dock , which was easy to see with the yellow Q on the building. There is a bit of a concrete lip at the waterline so our fender balls were useful.
We were met at the dock and Todd went in with the fellow to Passport Control who took our passports, checked our PCR test results which we had also printed out, and the boat doc’s. The official was very happy we had uploaded the PCR results to the entercroatia site as now he didn’t have too, (which apparently thrilled the Port Captain as this was the first time someone had used the new system successfully!) Next Todd was escorted to the Harbor Police Office where he paid the Navigation and Light fee, which they wanted it paid in Kuna but as we didn’t have any, they accepted euro. You could not pay at this office by credit card. There was also a new system for paying the tourist tax online, and they gave Todd the instructions to do so “before you sleep on the boat tonight”. Then it was back down to Passport Control where they took a copy of the receipt and sent Todd to the Customs Officer. Another Copy was taken at this office with a bunch of stamping of things, then Todd was free to go.
Over the last several years there have been reports of difficulties with entering Croatia by some boats. We made the most direct route to our first port of call, with our AIS off. We observed the speed limits in the harbor. Todd found the clearing in process to be relatively easy and everyone was friendly and helpful. We crossed over to the Frapa Marina and Med moored to a very steep concrete pier, and got the boat sorted. Then we headed off to find an ATM to get some Kuna (Croatian currency) and buy a Sim card so we could complete paying the tourist tax before sleeping on the boat. This also went off without a hitch, and we noted you could pay either by the number of person’s aboard, or boat size. This was the web site https://nautika.evisitor.hr/