Viganj is a small village with a world reputation in one very specific discipline. If you sail or windsurf you have probably heard of it before you heard of Pelješac. If you do not, it is worth knowing that the wind here determines almost everything, including what living in the village is like.
The wind: why everyone comes
The channel between Pelješac and Korčula narrows right at Viganj and accelerates the maestral, which blows on almost every summer afternoon with great regularity. That predictability is why windsurfers and sailors from across Europe gather here rather than passing tourists.
Schools and equipment hire operate through the season and it is possible to start from nothing. Practically: the wind usually gets up in the afternoon, so mornings are for swimming and flat water and afternoons are for boards. Anyone who knows that plans the day differently from anyone who does not.
Sea and beaches
The shore is mostly shingle and rock, with entries to the water along the road and by the campsites. The sea is clear, but the wind makes it colder and choppier in summer than at Orebić. For calm swimming go in the morning, or drive towards Kućište and Orebić where it is more sheltered.
The view is of Korčula across the channel the whole time, and the sunsets here are among the best on the peninsula because the sun drops behind Hvar and the open sea.
What to do when it is not blowing
- Walking towards Sveti Ilija and the old paths above the village. The full ascent is serious, but the lower trails are walkable.
- A drive to Orebić, the ferry, and the old town of Korčula. The whole outing fits in half a day.
- The Dingač and Postup wineries over the hill, the best day trip from the village.
- Kayak and paddleboard in the morning, while the sea is flat, along the shore towards Kućište.
- The Franciscan monastery above Orebić and the maritime museum, if you want to know why this part of the peninsula looks different from the rest.
Eating and drinking
The choice is small and seasonal, but what does open is oriented towards guests who stay for weeks rather than day visitors, and you feel that in how you are treated. Out of season very little operates, and that is something to plan for rather than discover in November.
What it is like out of season
For a buyer, this section is worth more than everything above it.
- From November to April Viganj is very quiet. Most of the hospitality and rental businesses are closed and the village comes down to its permanent residents.
- The bura blows harder in winter than in more sheltered places on the peninsula, and the exposure is real rather than theoretical.
- The shop, school, doctor and services are in Orebić, a ten-minute drive.
- The season is concentrated and predictable, which is excellent if you plan to let and less so if you imagine a year-round social life in the village.
If you are considering buying, come in February. Viganj in August and Viganj in February are two different places, and only one of them appears in the photographs.
Practical notes
- Best period: June and September for the combination of wind, sea and tolerable crowds. July and August are strongest for wind and tightest for accommodation.
- Car: useful, since everything other than the shore itself is a few minutes away.
- For boarders: check the maestral forecast, not just the general one.
If you are thinking about buying
What comes up for sale, who buys here and what to check are set out on the property in Viganj page. For what is available now see the property listings, and the purchase costs are worked through in the guide to costs.
Villages covered in this guide
About the author
Sottomonte
Real estate agent
Lives and works on Pelješac. Handles sales, from stone houses for renovation to building land by the sea. Checks the land register, cadastre and permits personally before any offer goes out.