Marina Izola in Slovenia: Getting there, harbour information and sailing destinations

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Marina Izola, now operating under the name MarinaUp Izola, is located on Slovenia's short coastline in the Gulf of Trieste, right next to the old town of the fishing village of Izola. Here you can read how to get to the marina from the airport and by train or bus, where to park and shop, what wind to expect, which sailing destinations in Slovenia, Italy and Croatia are nearby, and how skippers berth in the marina.

Marina Izola: location and marina at a glance

Marina Izola is located on the southwest edge of Izola, about ten minutes' walk from the old town. It has 800 berths for yachts up to 45 metres on wide concrete and timber pontoons, sheltered behind two large breakwaters. The entrance opens to the west.

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Izola was formerly an island and is now connected to the mainland by a narrow strip. The old town with its narrow alleys, the old fishing harbour Mandrač and the church of St. Maurus at its highest point lies directly next to the marina.

Arriving for your trip start at Marina Izola

From the airport to Marina Izola

The nearest airport is Trieste near Ronchi dei Legionari in Italy, about 70 kilometres or roughly an hour's drive from Izola. Ljubljana airport is about 130 kilometres away, Venice Marco Polo about 180 kilometres and Treviso about 175 kilometres. A small airfield near Portorož serves only smaller aircraft.

From Trieste airport you travel without a car in two stages: first by train to Trieste main station or by bus to the city's bus station, then by bus onwards to Koper. From Ljubljana airport a shuttle bus, which you book in advance, takes you to the train and bus station in Ljubljana; from there you continue by train or bus to the coast. From the larger airports in the region there are also shared minibus transfers to the coast, which you book in advance. From Trieste airport you can also take a taxi all the way to Izola.

By car, train or bus

From Ljubljana, trains run to Koper several times a day; the journey takes about two and a half hours. From Koper you're in Izola in 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi. Regular local buses run between Koper, Izola and Piran. Bus connections also run from Trieste, though not all services operate on Sundays. In summer, excursion boats also run between the coastal towns. You can find current connections on the Izola tourism board's travel page.

By car you can drive right up to the marina. In summer, traffic along the coast is often congested, so allow some extra time.

Where in the marina is my boat?

The marina reception (Tomažičeva 4a) is staffed Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. After arriving on board, each person registers there with ID; anyone staying overnight pays the tourist tax there.

The pontoons are accessible only with a code card. If you're joining as crew: which pontoon it is will be stated in your trip documents.

Parking

The marina has open and covered parking monitored around the clock. A daily fee applies from five hours of parking onwards. Cars and trailers must be parked only in the designated areas; motorhomes are not allowed on the marina site (as of October 2026).

Sanitary facilities and laundry

The marina has toilet and shower facilities and a laundry service with launderette and dry cleaning.

Shopping for the trip

There is a supermarket in the town; further shops and restaurants can be found in the old town, about ten minutes' walk from the marina. For a major shop before a week's sailing trip, arriving by car is practical, as you can drive directly to some pontoons.

Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services

On weekdays the Izola Health Centre (Zdravstveni dom) is open Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. At night, at weekends and on public holidays, the General Hospital Izola (Splošna bolnišnica Izola), Polje 40, telephone +386 5 66 06 000, takes over. It offers the full medical spectrum including emergency care, and the staff speak English. The on-duty pharmacy in Koper, Kidričeva 2, telephone +386 5 611 0000, is open around the clock.

• 112: ambulance and fire brigade, free from landline and mobile
• 113: police
• At sea: VHF channel 16, monitored by Koper rescue coordination centre (MRCC Koper) on

What facilities does Marina Izola offer?

Marina Izola is open all year round and has electricity, water and Wi-Fi at the berth. The key details at a glance:

Feature	Details
Position	approx. 45° 32.2′ N, 013° 39.1′ E
Operator	Porting d.o.o. (MarinaUp Izola)
Berths	800, for yachts up to 45 m length
Maximum draught	4,3 m
VHF channel	17
Electricity and water	at every berth, 220/380 V
Travellift	up to 60 t
Maximum speed in the marina	2 knots
Contact	Tomažičeva 4a, 6310 Izola, telephone +386 5 66 25 400

A security service patrols at night; the marina team speaks several languages. The marina has held the Blue Flag, the environmental award for harbours and beaches, for more than 20 years.

What does the bora mean for sailors in Izola?

The bora is a cold, gusty katabatic wind from north to northeast that blows mainly in winter. In the Bay of Koper and off Izola it is usually weaker than in Trieste harbour, but you should still take it seriously for a passage across the Gulf.

Inside the marina itself you are well sheltered in a Bora. Outside in the gulf it becomes unpleasant in a Bora, especially on course for Trieste or Grado, as you're sailing directly into the wind.

In summer a moderate westerly, the maestral, usually blows during the day. The most dangerous wind here is considered to be the tramontana from north to north-northwest. It sets in suddenly, most frequently in late summer and early autumn, and brings 40 to 60 knots for one to three hours. Similarly fierce, but usually over after one or two hours, is the lebič from the southwest, mainly in summer. Winds from west and southwest also build up substantial seas in the Gulf.

For crew this means: especially in September and October, a day can turn into a harbour day because of the Tramontana. So don't schedule your return journey too tightly.

More on Bora, Maestral and Jugo throughout the Mediterranean can be found in our article on Good months for a trip through the region are April, May, September and October. The weather is mild, it's less crowded ashore and the midsummer heat is absent. You can read how the winds in Greece work in our article about.

What sailing destinations lie near Izola?

From Izola you can reach the Slovenian harbours, Italian Trieste and the west coast of Istria in Croatia with a short passage. The distances are rounded sea routes on the usual course; for precise planning the sea chart applies.

In Slovenia

Koper lies about 3.5 nautical miles to the east, Piran about 4 nautical miles to the west at the tip of the peninsula. Portorož is in the bay south of Piran; to sail there you go round the headland. The entire Slovenian coast is only 43 kilometres long, so a week's sailing trip will include destinations in Croatia or Italy as well.

In Italy

Muggia lies around 7 nautical miles away, the city harbour of Trieste around 8 nautical miles, straight across the bay. Grado on the lagoon coast is a longer leg at around 14 nautical miles.

In Croatia

Umag is the nearest Croatian harbour and lies around 10 nautical miles away. Further south follow Novigrad at around 18, Poreč at around 24 and Rovinj at around 32 nautical miles. What needs to be done at the first harbour in Croatia is explained further below in the section for skippers. More about trips in this sailing area can be found at Sailing in Croatia.

Further south on the Croatian coast, in central Dalmatia, lies Trogir, where there are three marinas in and around the town. How they differ can be read in the local article on the marinas in Trogir.

What is there ashore in Izola?

Izola is a small fishing town with a medieval old town, eight bathing beaches and many restaurants. It's plenty for a harbour day; most destinations you can reach on foot. The distances are straight lines from the marina, the walking times approximate values.

Old town and Church of St Maurus

The Church of St. Maurus stands on the highest point of the former island. Beside it stands a Gothic bell tower over 30 metres high, built of Istrian stone. You reach the top via 99 steps. From Mandrač on the edge of the old town, a few hundred metres from the marina, it is only a short walk into the narrow streets.

Museum Izolana – House of the Sea

The Izolana Museum – House of the Sea is dedicated to the history of the place. It's located in the old town at Ulica Alme Vivoda 3 and displays more than 35 models of wooden sailing ships and a real fishing boat. They come from Izola, Koper and Piran.

Archaeological Park Simonov zaliv

In Simonov zaliv bay, around 550 metres straight line south-west of the marina, lie the remains of a Roman villa by the sea with its own harbour. You can see the restored walls and a partially reconstructed mosaic floor. On foot you're there in about ten minutes.

Beach at the lighthouse

Svetilnik beach is by the lighthouse, where the old town juts furthest out to sea, about 600 metres straight-line distance from the marina. Pines provide shade, there is a restaurant, sunshade hire and a playground.

By bike to Koper

Anyone who brings or hires a bicycle can ride on the Parenzana, a former narrow-gauge railway from Trieste to Poreč that is now a cycling and walking path. To Koper it's around 7 kilometres along the coast.

For skippers: Berthing, formalities and sea weather in Izola

For the marina use VHF channel 17; channel 16 is the distress and calling channel, monitored by the Koper Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Registration and Berthing

It's best to contact the marina before entering on VHF channel 17 or by telephone on +386 5 66 25 400. Marineros help with berthing round the clock. Prepare bow and stern lines as well as fenders on both sides, because exactly how you make fast depends on the assigned berth, and the marinero will tell you at the pontoon. The pontoons lie well apart, which makes manoeuvring easier even with a larger yacht.

After making fast, go to reception for check-in, as described above under "Arriving". As a visiting berth holder without a fixed berth contract, you also show the boat registration certificate to the marinero on duty at the pontoon. Berths can also be requested in advance via the marina's website where the current price list is available.

Harbour rules

• In the marina you travel at a maximum of 2 knots.
• Anchoring is prohibited in the harbour basin, as are swimming and fishing.
• When you leave the boat, disconnect the power and water connections from the distribution box.
• Children move about in the marina only accompanied by an adult.

Approach

A tall chimney southeast of the marina serves as a landmark for the approach. You enter heading east; the mole heads are lit. Water level normally fluctuates by only a few decimetres. During prolonged jugo, the southeasterly wind in winter, it can rise significantly in the Gulf, whilst strong bora can cause it to drop.

Off the cargo harbour of Koper there is a traffic separation scheme and anchorages for commercial shipping. Watch out there for cargo vessels and tankers, especially on a course to Trieste or Muggia.

Formalities for Croatia

Slovenia, Italy and Croatia belong to the Schengen Area. Anyone arriving in Croatia from a Schengen harbour does not in principle need to go to border control. With a yacht under a non-Croatian flag, even one chartered in Slovenia, you proceed directly in Croatia to a harbour open to international traffic and obtain the vignette from the harbour master's office, which is the charge for safety of navigation. Before obtaining the vignette you may not anchor.

In addition there is the tourist tax for all persons on board and, before you leave Croatia again, a crew list confirmed by the harbour master's office. Passports and boat papers must be on board in all three countries. Binding information is given by the Croatian harbour master's office; an overview is provided by the Croatian National Tourist Board website.

Which sea weather forecast applies in Izola?

The coastal weather forecast of the Slovenian meteorological service ARSO applies to the Slovenian coast. You can read it on the weather service's website, also in English.

Weather and navigation warnings are also broadcast by the traffic control centre of the Slovenian Maritime Administration in Koper at fixed times on VHF. Anyone sailing on to Istria should add the Croatian marine weather forecast for the northern Adriatic, published by the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service DHMZ. The coastal radio station Rijeka Radio broadcasts it together with warning messages in English and Croatian at 05:30, 12:30, 19:30 and 00:30 UTC on VHF channels 04, 19, 20, 23, 24, 81 and 85 — in summer therefore two hours later local time (as of October 2026).

Shipyard, repairs and fuel

For work ashore, a travel lift hauls boats up to 60 tonnes out of the water. External contractors carry out work on engines, electronics, sails and rigging, upholstery and woodwork, and underwater work. Fuel is available directly in Izola.

Trips from Izola on Törnfinder

In October 2026 there are 55 sailing trip dates on Törnfinder over the next twelve months departing from or arriving at Marina Izola. Most depart in October, May and September, typically lasting 8 days. All current dates can be found in the trip overview, trips in the whole sailing area under Sailing in the Adriatic and trips to Trieste and along the Italian coast under Sailing in Italy.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from the airport to Marina Izola?

Quickest from Trieste airport, around 70 kilometres or about an hour's drive away, by car or a pre-booked shuttle transfer. By public transport you travel via Trieste to Koper and from there by bus to Izola.

Where do I park at trip start at Marina Izola?

You park in the marina's supervised car park; from five hours' parking duration a daily charge applies. Motorhomes are not allowed on the premises.

Can I travel to Izola without a car?

Yes, by train from Ljubljana to Koper in about two and a half hours and from there by regular bus, which runs frequently between Koper, Izola and Piran.

What is Marina Izola called today?

Marina Izola now appears as MarinaUp Izola. This refers to the same marina at Tomažičeva 4a in Izola; the operator is Porting d.o.o.

Is Marina Izola safe in the bora?

Yes, the marina is well protected against all wind directions by two large breakwaters. Outside in the gulf it becomes uncomfortable in the bora, especially on a course for Trieste.

How far is it from Izola to Croatia?

Umag, the nearest Croatian harbour, lies about 10 nautical miles away by sea. With a yacht under a non-Croatian flag, you obtain the vignette from the harbourmaster's office in your first Croatian harbour.

How do you berth at Marina Izola?

Best to announce yourself on VHF channel 17 or by calling +386 5 66 25 400, and make fast with your own lines at the berth the marinero shows you. Anchoring is prohibited in the marina.