Croatia sailing vacation map and highlights
Croatia’s coast is long and lovely, but it’s the islands that really make things interesting for sailors.![]()
Cruise Croatia’s coast and you’ll discover it’s beautiful from top to toe. Most boats start on the toe – the city of Dubrovnik. Cruising from Dubrovnik to Split is a really popular week-long itinerary, on a trip that passes through the tiny Elaphiti Islands and then some of the larger Central Dalmatia Islands. The city of Split sits pretty much bang in the middle of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, and just north is Marina Agana, another popular flotilla and bareboat hub. Just around the corner is Sibenik, a historic city fringed by yet more islands, and your gateway to the popular Krka Falls National Park. Fewer people go further north to Zadar and the densely-packed Zadar archipelago.
1.
Dubrovnik
2. Elaphiti Islands
3. Krka National Park
4. Mljet and Korkula
5. Split
6. Vis, Hvar and Brac
2. Elaphiti Islands
3. Krka National Park
4. Mljet and Korkula
5. Split
6. Vis, Hvar and Brac
Dubrovnik
1. Dubrovnik
By far and away one of the most popular destinations for this kind of trip, sailing out of Dubrovnik makes you feel like a medieval explorer. This impressive walled city rises out of the sea, vision-like. Unfortunately, Dubrovnik is a victim of its own beauty; in summer it’s unbearably overcrowded. Sensible skippers will suggest you visit when cruise passengers have left.
Elaphiti Islands
2. Elaphiti Islands
This tiny trickle of islands barely shows up on the map – yet if you’re sailing from Dubrovnik, the Elaphiti Islands provide the first taste of life off the mainland. Renaissance villas sit around the harbours, whilst gnarled old olive groves slope off down the hillside. Kolocep and Lopud are both car-free, whilst Sipan was once a favourite vacation spot for the Dubrovnik aristocracy. Due to day trippers, they can all get crowded in high season (July and August).
Krka National Park
3. Krka National Park
Krka National Park is famous for its showy system of seven waterfalls. Reaching it on a sailing vacation involves a little adventure. You’ll sail up the Krka River from Sibenik, perhaps stopping at the floating oyster farms that line its banks for a fancy snack, before reaching the small town of Skradin. From here a national park boat takes you to the impressive falls, and you can swim right at its foot.
Mljet and Korkula
4. Mljet and Korkula
Dense forest on Korkula and national park on Mljet make these two large Central Dalmatian Islands pleasantly leafy and great for hiking from the boat, providing you go outside of peak season when they’re still very busy. The two saltwater lakes on Mljet are an unusual feature on the island. The larger lake has its own island, complete with Benedictine Monastery in its center – cloistered from the outside world, indeed.
Split
5. Split
Lovely medieval Split is Croatia’s second largest city, and its UNESCO-listed center is built around a Roman palace, meaning you’ll stumble across tottering columns as you walk around. Lots of flotilla vacations operate out of Marina Agana, 20km from Split Airport. True to its name, Split divides opinion, as it can be far too busy to visit in summer – better to go straight to the marina in August.
Vis, Hvar and Brac
6. Vis, Hvar and Brac
You could quite easily pick an island like Vis, Hvar or Brac and spend a week there clocked off, chilled out and hiking to pebbly coves. But why not visit all three? Croatia sailing vacations between Split and Dubrovnik will weave in between all the Central Dalmatian Islands – ducking and weaving to avoid Hvar and Brac’s summer crowds. Visit the blue cave at Bisevo on Vis, hike on Hvar, and discover Brac’s beaches.
Our Croatia sailing Vacations
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More about Croatia sailing
Croatia’s a great place to sail, with great weather, wonderfully clear water, and over 1,200 islands. All in all, these shores are a sure-fire sailing vacation hit. Find out more in our Croatia sailing vacations guide.
Small group travel is great if you’re a solo traveler or with a couple of friends, but your family might prefer to have their own boat. It’s a great way to spend time together, and a great way to enjoy Croatia with kids.
It might have a reputation as an easy sailing area, but Croatia is no crèche. If you’re an adventurous sailor, then you can have a fantastically rewarding bareboat sailing vacation in Croatia.
Croatia is a flotilla sailing capital – vying with Greece as one of the tops spots for this fun group activity. Enjoy well-serviced marinas, safe ‘line of sight’ sailing and, of course, lovely weather, too.
The sailing community is a friendly bunch and they don’t hold back on useful tips. We’ve collated the best words of advice for sailing in Croatia both from the experts, and from the travelers themselves.
Sailors love the oceans more than anyone. It’s not uncommon for them to pick up sea debris as they sail along, or be passionately anti-pollution. Be a responsible sailor and learn about Croatia’s local issues, too.
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