SAILING ITINERARIES IN CROATIA
The picturesque Dalmatian coast is waiting to mesmerize you!
You want to sail all around and explore everything; so when choosing a perfect boat for your charter in Croatia, you need to consider the preferable starting point for your holidays (where the base marina of the chosen boat should be located).
Among so many marinas where to start and possible routes for sailing it must be difficult to choose one, especially if it is your first time sailing in Croatia and you still haven’t seen anything! The place from which to start your sailing holidays in Croatia is a city that is worth paying a visit and from which you can follow a great sailing route to get the most of your holidays.
The panorama of the island of Hvar; AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARD WWW.CROATIA.HR
The city of Split is the starting point for sailing holidays in Croatia that never fails you. Located in the central Dalmatian region on a small peninsula between mountains and the sea, Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest on the Adriatic coast.
The view over the beautiful city of Split from Marjan – VIDILICA; SOURCE: commons.wikimedia.com
It is a typical Mediterranean city with a small-town vibe, and it offers the right balance between tradition and modernity. There is plenty to see and to do in Split. Besides the city’s main landmark – the Diocletian palace – there is the Cathedral of Saint Dominus, the Statue of Gregory of Nin, museums, gallery, and so on. If you have some extra time when in Split, climb the Marjan hill or walk the Promenade and enjoy a cup of coffee in the sun.
Panorama of the city of Split; AUTHOR: IVAN ČORIĆ, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARD WWW.CROATIA.HR
The city is easily accessible by any means of transport (plane, car, ferry, train, bus), and its central location on the Eastern Adriatic coast makes it the best starting point for sailing holidays in Croatia.
Regarding the sailing itineraries, you can follow from Split, you can go either to the south or to the north choosing amongst the numerous possible sailing routes.
The criteria for choosing the perfect itinerary are not many because you can hardly choose wrong.
Before opting for an itinerary, you could think about:
- How many hours a day you wish to spend sailing from one place to another?
- Are you looking for peace and the untouched nature of some naked and mostly uninhabited island; or
- Would you like to visit as many islands a week as possible?
- Are you up for visiting beautiful, but sometimes busy and crowded villages?
- Do you like visiting old places which history goes back to ancient times, or
- Do you prefer modern places with urban centers?
Whether you choose to sail south or north of Split, you’ll still have a vast choice of possible sailing routes.
You can read about the itineraries we have suggested, but in the end, it is up to you. Even if you choose to follow one of the suggested routes, it is totally flexible and you can shape it as per your preferences, as long as it is in accordance with actual weather conditions.
If you choose skippered or crewed charter, naturally, the skipper will follow your wishes, but still if in accordance with weather conditions.
You can also create your own route together with the members of your crew; and in agreement with the skipper (with skippered or crewed charters).
No matter the itinerary, there are always many options for stopping in a bay on the way between two destinations. You can stop for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, whatever; you will be deciding on the way.
Here are a few suggestions of possible sailing routes you can make in 7 or 14 days since these are the most usual durations of yacht charter holidays. If you book a longer charter, you can combine two of the suggested routes or ask us to tailor a route just for you.
Itineraries South from Split
Southern Dalmatia is an awesome area for sailing in Croatia with so many cultural and historical landmarks in the breath-taking city of Dubrovnik, and the islands of Hvar, Lastovo, and Korčula. It also tends to be warmer and sunnier than the northern part of the coast.
The breathtaking view over the old town of Dubrovnik
We suggest one of the three southern itineraries:
ROUTE 1 – 7 days
SPLIT – MILNA – VRBOSKA – HVAR – KOMIŽA – VIS – STARI GRAD – SPLIT
140 NM, on average 2-3 hours of sailing/motoring per day
An ideal route for first-time sailors, families with small children, and those who do not want to spend more than 2-3 hours per day traveling from one place to the other. Leaves plenty of time to spend swimming and sunbathing in some beautiful bay on the way.
One small piece of the beauty of southern Dalmatia – ACI Marina Palmižana
ROUTE 2 – 7 days
SPLIT – MASLINICA – VIS – LASTOVO – MLJET – KORČULA – HVAR- SPLIT
166 NM, on average 2-5 hours of sailing/motoring per day
This ambitious route sometimes requires sailing for up to 5 hours to reach the next destination. It is suitable for those who would like to visit as many different islands as possible in a week’s time.
Words are needless – Lastovo bay
ROUTE 3 – 14 days
SPLIT – MILNA – VIS – KOMIŽA – VELA LUKA – LASTOVO – MLJET – DUBROVNIK – ŠIPAN – MLJET – KORČULA – HVAR – STARI GRAD – SPLIT
274 NM, on average 2-5 hours of sailing/motoring per day
From Split to Dubrovnik and back in two weeks’ time. The route covers all the main islands on the way, each day you visit a new island or a new place on the same island.
Little secluded beach – Stiniva Vis
Itineraries North from Split
Northern Dalmatia is just as rich and attractive. It has a lot to offer especially to those who enjoy visiting as many different islands as possible – they will be bewildered by a myriad of islands in the crystal-clear sea.
The three National Parks: the Kornati, Krka (waterfalls of Krka river where the swimming is allowed), and Paklenica (Velebit canyon), and the Nature park Telašćica bay, make this part of the Dalmatian coast difficult to resist.
Cliffs and green trees painting a stunning picture in Telašćica bay
Here are the two suggested itineraries:
ROUTE 4 – 14 days
SPLIT – MASLINICA – ŽIRJE – PIŠKERA – TELAŠĆICA – ŽUT – KAPRIJE – SKRADIN – PRIMOŠTEN – DRVENIK VELI – VIS – KOMIŽA – HVAR – STARI GRAD – SPLIT
255 NM, on average 2-3 hours of sailing/motoring per day
North from Split up to the Telašćica park of nature and then back down to the island of Vis. In two weeks’ time, you will experience both the untouched nature of the Kornati archipelago and the places with a history that goes back to the ancient times and which are nowadays very popular mundane cities – Hvar and Vis. Includes visits to two national parks: Kornati archipelago & Krka waterfalls and a visit to one park of nature: Telašćica bay.
Waterfalls of the Krka National Park – a Dalmatian jewel
ROUTE 5 – 7 days
SPLIT – MASLINICA – ŽIRJE – PIŠKERA – KAPRIJE – SKRADIN – PRIMOŠTEN – SPLIT
148 NM, on average 2-3 hours of sailing/motoring per day
The 7-day route to the north of Split, up to Kornati national park. The ideal route for those who are not keen on visiting beautiful, but sometimes busy and crowded villages (rich in culture and history) on the islands south of Split; It is for those who are, in the first place, looking for peace, and beautiful, untouched nature.
Skradin; AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARD WWW.CROATIA.HR
National Park Kornati; AUTHOR: STIPE ŠURAC, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARD WWW.CROATIA.HR
These five routes are presented briefly, but by clicking on any of the routes, you can read more details about it. Whichever route you choose to sail by it will have a lot to offer.
The suggested itineraries make sure you have enough time to relax on your sailing holidays, but also that you are not missing places to visit and bays to explore.
For any help with deciding on an itinerary, or if you would like one tailored precisely for you, simply
