Sailing vacations in Croatia

Our short sailing breaks of around four days stick to the pretty Elaphiti Islands, all of which are less than an hour from Dubrovnik. They have a wonderful mix of pine forests, sandy beaches, traditional stone houses and fishing villages as well as plenty of ancient paths to trek or bike along.

From the Elaphiti Islands, it’s a short hop to the peaceful Peljesac peninsula on the mainland, too. It’s one of the most famous wine making regions in Croatia, home to vast vineyards, salt and oyster farms, quiet towns, narrow streets and hidden beaches.

Longer vacations of a week explore the Elaphiti islands, before pushing further north to take in Hvar, Vis and Brac, before ending in Split. You can also explore Istria and take in the islands off Croatia’s northern coast, including Krk, with its idyllic waterfront and hidden bays, and quiet Losinj, with its population of bottlenose dolphins.

You could describe our sailing vacations in Croatia as active relaxation – a dreamy combination of discovering tiny islands and local restaurants, with chilling on deck as the scenery drifts by.

We have plenty of week-long sailing trips available, but it’s also possible to take a four day, three night break. If you’ve never sailed before, this is a great introduction to this style of vacation and, since Croatia boasts so many beautiful islands, so close to shore, there’s no compromise on what you’ll be seeing and experiencing.

It’s also possible to take a land-based sailing vacation: not an oxymoron! Using Korcula as a base, you can sail in the day but enjoy the comfort of a large bedroom and air conditioning, rather than a cramped cabin at night.

The vessel on a sailing vacation is typically a modern, comfortable yacht or catamaran for up to 10 passengers, with plenty of deck space. It’s a real sailing vessel so sleeping quarters are tight, with twin or double cabins and shared bathrooms. Catamarans are generally a little more roomy.

When there is a mixed group of people joining the boat, rooms will be allocated by the skipper, with no pre-booking possible, and solo travelers are allocated a room to share with a traveler of the same gender which, in some cases, may mean sharing a double.

There may be a restriction on how much luggage you can bring, too. Don’t panic though – a Croatia sailing vacation is about life on deck, on the water and on the islands you’re visiting. The cabin is just for crashing out in each night.

The crew usually consists of a skipper and perhaps a guide, too, who knows the area intimately and can tip you off about the best snorkelling spots or quiet cafes. Most sailing vacations are small group departures, so you’ll be mixing with new people, who typically and very quickly become new friends.

There’s plenty of opportunity to go ashore, to walk, cycle or simply sip a coffee in a quiet village cafe, and you’re able to really relish the sea, too, which in Croatia means turquoise waters that are so delightfully warm and clear that swimming seems reinvented as the most luxurious thing you can do, ever.

There is also snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding to enjoy, all from the ship, all offering new ways to engage with Croatia’s unique coastal life. In addition, you might see dolphins, you will see sunsets, you probably won’t have WiFi once you’re out of the marina. What’s not to like?

There may be a participatory element on a sailing vacation, which you won’t find on a small ship cruise, but this varies, so be sure to ask. If the vibe is very ‘all hands on deck’, swotting up on maritime lingo before embarking is helpful if you’re a novice sailor.

You might be expected to shop for local produce which the whole group prepares and eats together on board. You may even take turns to clean the boat. On other sailing vacations there are no requirements beyond simply enjoying yourself. Breakfast is served for you, and you’re free to eat out for lunch and dinner – a great way to discover local food and support the islands’ economies.