A Guide to Sailing in and Around Croatia

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.