Sailing in Croatia

Who should come sailing in Croatia?

The beauty of sailing in Croatia is that it is for everyone, there is no ‘type’ when it comes to a sailing holiday. We have young families, groups of friends, retirees and all nationalities come sailing with us. Every group has its own vibe; some come to relax, others come to hoist the sails and learn about sailing, some families come for a mixture of relaxing or an active holiday, others come for the gastronomy and most come to escape life, if only for a little. In recent years, Croatia has seen a boom in nautical tourism, which means that there are a wide variety of sailing yachts, catamarans, gulets, motor yachts and luxury yachts available to suit every need and budget. Zero sailing experience is required to come sailing in Croatia, just a willingness to relax and embrace the sea life.

Do I need sailing experience to sail Croatia?

If you charter with crew, zero sailing experience is required to come on a sailing holiday in Croatia, just a willingness to embrace the sea life. Though of course, it goes without saying that if you plan to bareboat (charter without crew), you need experience and all relevant licenses. Chartering with crew is a great way to get a taste of the sea life – you are in the hands of an experienced professional, and if you are interested, you can learn some basics about sailing along the way or simply relax. However, if you have ever held a dream of learning to sail, we can help make that dream a reality with our Sailing Academy.

What is the best time to sail in Croatia? Season, Climate and Temperatures

The main sailing season in Croatia goes from May until October, with some fantastic sailing regattas happening on either side – March, April, October, November. The climate in Croatia is a typical Mediterranean climate, which means – sunny days, balmy summer evenings, and lush sea temperatures.

Peak season in Croatia is July and August, with average temperatures of 27°C (80°F) - 35°C, and an average sea temperature of 24°C (76°F). Many choose to come sailing in Croatia in July and August because of the guaranteed great weather, entertainment and nightlife. However, be aware that sailing in peak season also means competing with crowds – on land and in marinas.

Every year, the sailing season in Croatia extends, as more people realise that sailing in the ‘shoulder season’ (May, June, September, October) can be a real joy. In May, the weather can be unstable, so it is more for the experienced yachtsmen chasing the wind or those with a sense of adventure. However, by the end of May and into early June, the weather warms up with temperatures ranging from 18°C – 26°C (64 – 70°F). The main advantages of sailing the shoulder season are fewer crowds, better wind for sailing, and better yacht rental and marina prices.

Depending on what you want out of your sailing in Croatia holiday: relaxing, nightlife, hot weather, peace… it is worth considering which month matches your wishes. Our experienced team are happy to guide you through this.

Sailing Regions in Croatia

Istria and Kvarner: The Istrian Peninsula and Kvarner area make up the northern part of the Croatian coast. While many opt for a Central or Southern Dalmatia sailing itinerary, Istria and Kvarner offer plenty of reasons to sail North. Think sandy beaches (of which, Croatia has few), world-class gastronomy (excellent olive oils, cheeses, truffles and vino), uninhabited islands, Nature Parks, historical towns heavily influenced by Italian and Austro-Hungarian architecture, heady and healing aromas of local herbs, stretches of gorgeous coastline… and, you are starting to get an image of this region.

Northern sailing itineraries have numerous options; offering nature, history, gastronomy and peace. Popular sailing destinations are Poreč, Brijuni National Park, Cres, Lošinj, Mali Lošinj, Rab, as far is Ilovik and Silba.

North Dalmatia, Kornati: The Kornati archipelago is comprised of approximately 140 islands, islets and reefs; so, it is easy to see how you can spend an entire 7-day itinerary, exploring this gorgeous piece of paradise. Playwright, George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying – “On the last day of Creation, God desired to crown his work and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath”, which may offer up poetic and romantic images of what to expect here. Pristine nature, uninhabited islands far-removed from the crowds is why people choose to sail North and the Kornati. You can sail through the Kornati archipelago, visit Telašćica Nature Park, listen to the sea organs in Zadar and witness the world-famous sunsets, wander the streets of Šibenik with its UNESCO heritage sites and even hike the Krka National Park with its majestic waterfalls. A nature- oriented itinerary with some authentic gastro experiences, await you on a Northern route.

Central Dalmatia: Is by far the most popular sailing region in Croatia due to a combination of great tourism promotion of its sites, natural beauty, history, gastronomy and nightlife; as well as excellent connections to the Split airport, and yacht rental options. Most choose to begin their itinerary from Trogir or Split, both of which are protected UNESCO heritage sites. When you picture Croatia, it is most likely images from Central Dalmatia that come to mind – the gorgeous Renaissance architecture of Hvar (and nightlife), the blue and green caves of island Vis, the Zlatni Rat beach of island Brač and much more. There are also smaller jewels like Stari Grad – the oldest town in Europe, Komiža on island Vis – a small fisherman’s village, and Šolta – an endearing little island. A Central sailing itinerary really has something for everyone.

Southern Dalmatia: A Southern Dalmatia sailing itinerary begins in the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ or King’s landing – the ancient, fortified city of Dubrovnik. The spectacular man-made beauty of Dubrovnik is mirrored by the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding region. Sailing a southern route allows guests to walk the walls in Dubrovnik, sail through the Elafiti islands, visit National Park Mljet with its saltwater lakes, wander the alleys of the medieval fortressed town of Korčula, visit some of the regions’ best vineyards on the Pelješac peninsula, and drop anchor in one of the many secluded bays in the Lastovo National Park. A southern sailing route can be a great mixture of history, nature, off-the-beaten-path locations, exceptional gastronomy and vino to match.

It is also worth noting, that on a one-way route from Split to Dubrovnik, or vice versa, everything mentioned under Central and Southern Dalmatia can be visited!

What activities can I do while sailing in Croatia?

We may be biased, but we believe that sailing in Croatia is the ultimate holiday, you can – relax, explore, enjoy the wine and gastronomy, discover the history and culture of Croatia, and, for those wanting a little more out of their holiday, you can also find numerous activities to add to your itinerary.

For the history buffs, you can take professional guided walking tours in most major locations. On the island of Vis – a former military base – you can even do a military tour, which takes you around some of the abandoned barracks, tunnels and hidden locations around the island – including a winery in an old airstrip. In Pučišća on the island Brač, you can visit the famous stone masonry school, or learn about olive oil in the olive oil museum. Wine lovers? There are vineyards dotted along the coast – perfect for adding to your sailing itinerary, not to mention that these vineyards have some of the most spectacular views!

Every island and destination offer the likes of biking, hiking, rock climbing, quad or scooter rentals, SUP and kayak tours or scuba diving. If your itinerary takes you past Omiš, there is even rafting on the crystal clear Cetina river, canyoning, zip-lining or deep-water soloing; while Brač and the Pelješac Peninsula are both popular areas for wind and kite surfing. Simply relax, or do it all, sailing in Croatia offers something for everyone.

Can I go scuba diving in Croatia?

Yes, you can. There are numerous diving locations around Croatia easily reached on most sailing itineraries. Croatia has a rich and unique underwater world, just don’t expect the Great Barrier Reef but rather plenty of shipwrecks, underwater caves, marine flora and fauna, and coral formations. There is also an underwater museum in Mali Lošinj – accessible to all abilities at a depth of only 12 m. Up north, the Prvić tunnel is a highlight diving location with vivid gorgonians, sponges and shoals of fish. Shipwrecks like Baron Gautsch in Rovinj are a great dive, and thanks to numerous battles, the area surrounding Vis island is littered with various wreckages, including the 99 m Re D’Italia. Mljet, Dubrovnik and Lokrum also have well-known dive centres and sites.

To dive in Croatia, you will need a valid diving certificate recognised in Croatia: CMAS, PADI, SSI, NAUI, IANTD and most of the diving locations exceed depths of 40 m, so you will also need to be deep-sea certified. Bring a copy of your diving certificate with you. If you wish to dive, it is advisable to plan it on your itinerary and call the dive centre a couple of days in advance to book your spot (especially in peak-season); allow a full day for this activity. Click here to read more about snorkeling in Croatia.

What is the tipping culture in Croatia?

Some guides say that you do not need to tip in Croatia, which is true in the fact that it is not like the States and compulsory, but it is also a very misleading and incorrect statement. Like most everywhere else you will travel in Europe, tipping is customary and 10% in restaurants is considered etiquette – unless the service was terrible or non-existent. For mini-cruisers with 30+ people, 10 - 15€ per person per day is recommended, and the tour guide is often tipped on the side. For private yacht charter, the MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association) recommends a gratuity of 5 – 15%, calculated from the base rate of the weekly charter cost. Ultimately, it is discretionary, but it is always good to know standard practice.

Taking care of our Adriatic, Behaviour and Etiquette

The Adriatic is not only beautiful, but it is also a rich and biodiverse eco-system, which is why it is so important that we all do our part to protect it from damage. When sailing, swimming, diving or exploring it is vital that we pay attention to the natural surroundings, aiming to leave each area, exactly as we found it (if not better) – especially in protected areas. By doing this, we ensure that future generations get to enjoy this paradise for years to come.

Here are some tips to help take care of our precious Adriatic.

• Reduce plastic usage – use reusable tote bags and shop locally at the fresh markets
• Recycle – sort and recycle your rubbish aboard then wait until you find the appropriate bins ashore
• Use wooden pegs to hang clothes rather than plastic
• Don’t throw cigarette butts away (sea or land)
• Empty black water at deep sea; not near shorelines, marinas or bays.
• Do not light an open fire
• Do not destroy, damage or remove anything from archaeological sites (land or sea)
• Do not fish in marine protected areas
• If scuba diving, use “reef safe” sunscreen to limit the harmful effect some sunscreens have on plant and marine life (the coral reef in Mljet is the largest in the Mediterranean)
• Do not litter, and if you see it – pick it up, make a positive impact

When anchoring, pay particular attention not to anchor in meadows of Posidonia Oceanica (seagrass meadows), as these are areas of high biodiversity in the Adriatic; they produce large amounts of oxygen which is why they are known as the ‘lungs of the sea’. Dropping and raising the anchor causes irreparable damage; so, please be mindful.

Book and Plan the Perfect Sailing Holiday

Now that we have convinced you that sailing in Croatia will be one of your best holidays, it is time to book and plan – whether you want to book a sailing yacht, gulet, motor yacht or luxury yacht, whether you wish to learn to sail, enter a regatta, sample the gastronomy, get active or simply relax and enjoy, we have you covered and can help you book and plan the perfect sailing holiday in Croatia.

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