Navigation guide Croatia
You want to disconnect and enjoy a change of scenery? Go and discover Croatia aboard a sailboat! This country is really worth travelling by the sea. Sail from one island to another, swin in turquoise water, and enjoy the salty breeze during a cruise on a sailboat, catamaran or monohull. Whether you are more Kornati or Dalmatian, it's time to treat yourself!
Dozens of islands
Croatia has 698 islands: a huge playing field for sailing fans. If it’s not your case, the marvelous sceneries are more than enough to convince you to come. These archipelagos of the Adriatic Sea shelter all kind of islands, some of them are still totally wild. Turquoise water, beautiful coves, desert beaches… No doubt, you’ll find what you’re looking for!
For every taste
Culture, nature, party, chill… whatever is your kind of holidays, you’ll find it in Croatia. Some will prefer the wild landscapes of the Kornati Islands, while other will mix sailing and hiking in the Dalmates or head to Hvar for its crazy nightlife.
Enjoy the calm of the sea
This destination is getting more and more famous and this might frighten some of you. Visiting Croatia by the sea will allow to enjoy the animation of the cities before escaping in preserved little coves, even during the peak season!
Our 5 advices for a navigation around Croatia
On the coast, discover the pearl of the Adriatic Sea and capital of Croatia, the famous city of Dubrovnik. Starting point for many cruises to discover the coast and the exceptional Croatian islands, the capital is full of assets to absolutely visit.
At first walk and discover the old walled city and its high ramparts, the greatest pride of the city. In addition, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and benefits from a unique restoration program. The beginning or the end of the day are the best times to visit Dubrovnik and its ramparts because the light is beautiful, it is not too hot and you will avoid the horde of tourists who visit the city during the day.
Head to Stradun, the city's main thoroughfare, for coffee, ice cream, or shopping at souvenir shops before cruising. The city is easy to explore on foot, and its charming cobbled streets and Mediterranean atmosphere make this capital an ideal place for a romantic weekend.
Take the cable car to reach the summit of Mount Srd and discover the city from above. You will be able to appreciate this unique panorama between orange tiles and exceptional sea. Do not forget to discover the old harbor, typical and magical!
The Kornati Islands are located in North Dalmatia, not far from Sibenik and Zadar. This archipelago of 150 deserted islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During a sailing cruise you will feel in paradise and will be able to navigate your sandstone in this labyrinth of islets. Take the opportunity to stop to swim and enjoy these crystal clear waters and sheltered coves. Many dream landscapes will be offered to you between land and sea, spectacular cliffs, small coves and splendid water.
For lovers of peace and nature, you will be delighted by this place. This ideal destination. Houses two more inhabited islands than the others: Kornat and Dugi Otok. A Croatian proverb says there are as many islands as there are days in the year. Zirje, Pasman, Vrgada, Zverinac, Velika Lavdara, Rava, Molan, Metlina, Otocevac, Opat, Vrujsko, Ravni Zakan ... Discover all these islands and enjoy a wonderful cruise in Croatia.
Croatia is composed of many islands, some very calm and natural, others more festive and colorful. The island of Hvar is located two hours from Split by boat and its landscapes between land and sea are reminiscent of Corsica. Moreover, its capital, Hvar Grad (Hvar Town), is the small Croatian paradise of the festival and attracts the jet-set from all over the world for the summer.
During a cruise in Croatia, you will be able to sail to the capital of the festival to enjoy an evening in this superb atmosphere. Hvar, nicknamed the city that never sleeps, welcomes many tourists who wish to party in the many restaurants, bars and clubs of the city. This little Croatian Saint Tropez owes its reputation to the Carpe Diem bar with its green terrace, its glamorous atmosphere and its famous after beach parties. Many bars compete with it, such as the Hula Hula located in the historic city center and offering a warm atmosphere, or the Kiva Bar, known for its tequila dum-dum, Kofein and Loco Bar.
To end your evening, head to the Veneranda nightclub to sway to the rhythm of electronic music by the pool and enjoy this unique outdoor setting inside a fortified monastery. In July, even find the Ultra Music Europe on the island of Hvar!
The island of Vis is the most western of Dalmatia and offers tourists preserved and authentic landscapes. During a cruise in Croatia you can stop and visit the coves and caves that make up the island.
At first, visit the Stiniva Creek, an exceptional place more easily accessible by the sea. Its very narrow entrance opens onto a pebble beach lined with turquoise water in the middle of the cliffs. In this cove you can snorkel and discover the beautiful Croatian seabed with fish of very different colors.
In a second time, discover the famous blue cave of Vis! From Komiza, it will first be necessary to go to the island of Bisevo by boat, the crossing lasts approximately one hour. Then you will board a small boat to access the cave which has a very narrow entrance. Once in the cave you can discover a unique place: the water is a unique blue, this exceptional color comes from the sun that passes under the rock. To have the best possible blue you must go to the cave between 11am and 13h. Magical place ...
Be careful, however, swimming is prohibited. But if you go out of season or quiet time you may be able to take a dip that will make this moment even more unforgettable.
Croatia is at the crossroads of many influences from different border countries. It is full of gastronomic traditions from Hungarian, Ottoman and Mediterranean traditions.
During a sailing cruise in Croatia, enjoy a stopover to discover the gastronomy of the country. No matter where you go, you can find smoked ham at the entrance to the restaurant, he says "Pršut" pronounced fearchoute in Croatian.
There are also many fish specialties such as grilled squid, fried squid or brudet, fish cooked in white wine and tomatoes.
Octopus salad is also a specialty of the region and consists of octopus in small pieces, potatoes, tomato, onions, capers, all accompanied by olive oil.
A typical Croatian dish is Štrukli sa sirom from the Zagreb region. The strukli are served hot, they are composed of dough, cream cheese and cream. Delicious dish!
Do not miss these Croatian specialties during your sailing cruise.
What is the best time to cruise around Croatia ?
The Croatian coast has a great mediterranean climate, perfect for holidays on a sailboat! From the beginning of May, the weather becomes very nice and reaches the 30 degrees during july and august. You will enjoy swimming in june and this until october (even when it starts to be a bit more chilly outside, the water takes longer to cool down). While navigating, it is important to pay attention to the Venturi effect! It is the wind gowing high speed between the islands, which can sometimes be surprising. Thunderstorms are quite often during the warm period. No worries, the skippers know perfectly well these phenomenons, you can embark confidently!
Jan | Feb | Mar | ASS | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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T ° air | 10° | 11° | 14° | 17° | 23° | 27° | 30° | 30° | 25° | 20° | 15° | 11° |
T ° water | 13° | 12° | 13° | 14° | 17° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 21° | 18° | 15° |
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Sun & Beach | ||||||||||||
Our opinions |
Good to know: Croatia has a very nice weather to sail! Still, you must know that there are many boats sailing around the Dalmatian Islands during july and august. We advise to book your harbour place early.