A Guide to Sailing in and Around Croatia

aerial view at marina in town Hvar, ACI MARINA HVAR, Hvar, Croatia
aerial view at marina in town Hvar, ACI MARINA HVAR, Hvar, Croatia | © dreamer4787 / Alamy Stock Photo
Jane Cody

Dramatic mountain backdrops, crystal clear waters and more than 1,200 islands, islets and reefs make Croatia a sailor’s paradise. Onshore it’s special, too – from the nightlife of Hvar to stunning nature parks like the Krka waterfalls and magnificent Roman architecture such as Pula’s amphitheatre. When it comes to settling down for the evening, choose from a five-star marina, an idyllic anchorage, or a medieval town port with a summer festival in full swing. Here, we reveal how best to see this geographically diverse country by boat.

Explore stunning coastline and islands with the unique Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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What to see and do in Croatia

Diocletian’s Palace in Split is a fine example of Croatia’s living history – vast Roman palace walls surround a maze of squares and alleys throbbing with cafes, bars and boutiques. Nearby, the Unesco-protected town of Trogir serves up yet more enchanting cobbled squares and stone houses. Istria – which is Croatia’s heart-shaped northern peninsula – has an Italian feel and it is dotted with marinas making it easy to navigate.

Meanwhile, the region’s magical Brijuni islands remain a magnet with jet setters and luxury yachts are commonplace. The 14 islands – which were once used as the private residence of President Tito of Yugoslavia – now comprise a national park. Heading southwest, the Kornati islands are another area of natural beauty. The region was declared a national park in 1980 and you must purchase an entrance ticket to navigate the network of 89 islands and islets within it.

Other islands worth marking on your map include Vis, which has a fascinating history, and Lošinj, known for its health-giving qualities, as well as Korčula, the reputed birthplace of Marco Polo and Mljet, revered for its remarkable saltwater lakes. Back to more bustling spots, Dubrovnik’s city walls and the celebrity status of Hvar have been fêted for decades, but Zadar and Šibenik are rising stars on the Dalmatian mainland.

An aerial view of the Croatian town of Rovinj, Istria

Best mooring locations in Croatia

Almost everywhere you cruise, there’s a ready choice of marina, port or anchorage. Of the fifty plus marinas, nearly half are state-owned. From ACI Marina Split, you are just a short walk from Split’s historic city centre and its sandy beach, Bačvice. With over 300 berths for vessels up to 90m (295ft), it’s a popular destination and therefore, best to book ahead – although there are a handful of other good quality marinas nearby. Close to Split are the islands of Brač, Hvar and Šolta – with some stand out anchorages including Sv Klement, near Hvar town.

The waterfront architecture on the island of Hvar, Croatia

Where to eat and drink in Croatia

Pelegrini – by Šibenik’s Unesco-protected Cathedral – was one of Croatia’s first Michelin starred restaurants and now there are 10. However, on the coast, Croatia is best known for its simple cuisine and fresh fish. Meat or octopus, slow-cooked in a bell-shaped cooking vessel (peka) is a traditional choice, as is a lamb on a spit. You’ll also find some very special wines and brandies (rakija), as well as high-quality olive oil. In Split – as with most towns – there’s an enormous choice of restaurants including Restaurant Kadena offering magnificent views and elegant classic Croatian food. The smaller, more rustic, Konoba Matoni has some appetising vegetarian options in its traditional menu – from grilled eggplant in Dalmatian sauce to three types of quinoa with raw zucchini zoodles.

The Pelegrini restaurant in Šibenik, Croatia

Where to get groceries in Croatia

Many marinas have on-site supermarkets – main towns like Split have plenty of hypermarkets although not always that close to the marinas. The street market – where you can find almost everything – is well worth a visit but, for vegetables and fish, it’s best to get there soon after the 6:30 am start.

A large food market in Split, Croatia

Key annual sailing events in Croatia

The Easter Regatta in Hvar usually marks the start of the sailing season with the more extreme 110mi (177km) Jabuka Regatta – starting from Vodice, closing it in mid-November. In between are the Vis, Fiumanka, Mrduja and the 1,000 Islands regattas. The two main Boat Shows are in Split in April and Biograd in October.

Climate and weather in Croatia

The Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Strong northeast Bora winds are a rare feature in summer but can whip up suddenly with little warning – gathering speed as they drop down the mountains to the coast, sometimes resulting in gale-force gusts. The Jugo, from the southeast, is easier to spot and often brings stormy weather. Tides are negligible, although currents can be strong in certain areas – particularly along narrow canals.

The Makarska Riviera is famous for its beautiful pebbly beaches and crystal clear water in Croatia

How to get to Croatia

Split, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka and Dubrovnik all have international airports. Most flight schedules reduce substantially outside the summer season, but you can usually find a scheduled flight to the capital, Zagreb and then a local connecting flight. The state-owned ferry service is a fabulous way to travel around the coast and also connects Croatia to Italy.

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