Hiring a boat in Croatia is the ideal way to explore the unique coastline and numerous islands. Bordering on the Adriatic Sea between the Balkan and Italian Peninsula, one can sail the Dalmatian coast and have the flexibility to sail top destinations like Trogir, Split, Vis, Korcula, Milna, Mljet, Dubrovnik and many more islands that exhibit ancient forts, national parks and castles sitting within or above beautiful bays. The BednBlue platform offers an abundance of sailboats, catamarans, yachts and speedboats for all regions of Croatia. You can directly contact the owners for your ideal boat or allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some handpicked suggestions.
You have plenty of available options for sailing:
You can choose the option to rent a sailboat or speedboat with a skipper or without one if you have a license. You can start by exploring the large peninsula of Istria and the beautiful islands that form Kvarner Bay. When looking to rent a catamaran in Croatia, do not seize the opportunity to discover the beautiful Kornati islands, the Plitvice Lakes and the Krk waterfalls which are great for all nature lovers and sailing enthusiasts. In the central region of Croatia also referred to as central Dalmatia, you can be one of the many travelers and hire a motorboat in Split to explore the surrounding peninsula consisting of Sibenik, Brac and Hvar. In Southern Dalmatia, you can explore Milna, Dubrovnik and head further south towards Montenegro for multi-day trips. Split to Dubrovnik is a common sailing route among many travelers, ideally you would rent a sailboat for a weekly charter in this case as they are more fuel-efficient and ensure a great vacation at a good price.
Croatia has an easy-going lifestyle, great hospitality, delicious food and wine and of course a beautiful and diverse landscape that you cannot miss. Croatia also has an interesting maritime history dating back from the Venetians that were defeated from the Makarska fleet to the Omiš history which was a period that pirates rose and controlled most of the passage with their creative vessels they designed on the eatsern Adriatic coast. Today nearly every town and village in Croatia has an interesting historical site, a beautiful national park or a beautiful bay with breathtaking views offering holidaymakers lots of activities.The Istrian peninsula is on the western side of Croatia and is the largest peninsula attracting over 4 million visitors every year. Istria has a unique natural beauty with photogenic medieval towns, fishing villages and charming towns including Rovinj, Poreč and Motovun, to name a few. For the best place to see ancient Roman ruins in Istria you must visit Pula. Here you can enjoy a beautiful view from the Fort Kastel or visit the Pula Arena which is one of the most preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Lastly, Poreč offers a Historic center, a heritage museum and you cannot miss the Euphrasian Basilica which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Dalmatian coast extends from zadar to Dubrovnik and is 200 miles long. There are many charming old towns and attractions one can visit that have Venetian and Greek origin. The town of Dubrovnik is the most visited old town that is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and was developed in the 13th century as an important seaport for the Mediterranean Sea. The old town of Hvar was once a naval base of the Venetian empire and offers top gastronomic and cultural experiences in Croatia. The Adriatic Sea is a natural wonder, caressed by the currents of the Mediterranean waters and with more than 1,000 islands to discover you can have an unforgettable experience in Croatia.
On the Istrian coast, You can hire a sailboat in Pula with a large group and start touring Cape Kamenjak and the nature reserve of Premantura which are great for snorkeling. Other options include visiting the Brijuni National park which is composed of 14 islands with incredible waters that can only be accessed by boat. If you have decided to rent a boat in Istria, Porec and Plava Laguna in Rovinj are also great options with their spectacular rugged coastlines and scenic beaches.
Kvarner Gulf is composed of Cres, Krk, Pag, Rab and some smaller islands which have unique natural beauties as well. Cres to Krk by boat is quite common, you will admire the majestic cliffs along the coastline and touring Plavnik, kormat and Goti Otok island all offer a magical scenery.
Krk island has a mile-long bridge that connects to other islands in the mainland and this gives great access to beaches, bays and fishing villages. Surfers and sailors love Krk for the lovely swimming bay of Punat which serves as the nautical center of the island. Rab island remains to be the busiest and has a number of beaches that are great for couples who are looking to spend some stress-free time together. Pag hosts one of the top parties Croatia offers and is great for touring the Plitvice Lakes which connects dozens of lakes with hundreds of waterfalls and is the perfect environment for nature lovers to visit.
The Kornati islands are easily accessible from the Port of Zadar which represents the historical centre of Dalmatia. Sibenik also offers excellent charter trips into Kornati as well as other known national parks such as Krk which has 17 scenic waterfalls and Telascica which is full of wildlife and creatures. The national parks of Croatia are like natural swimming pools and are great for relaxing and snorkeling. The Kornati Archipelago however has been a long time favorite destination for sailors as it has 147 islands which are uninhabited and they all have a fair amount of secret bays that are ideal for swimming.
From Split you will find many RIB or speed boats that offer tours into the island of Vis where you can visit the Blue Grotto and head even further to the Green Cave for a dip, the entrance is mainly suitable for smaller cruising vessels. Boat cruises also head to Brac either for the famous Zlatni Rat Beach which is one of the best beaches in Croatia or dock into the port of Milna which has a range of small bays and beaches nearby. The nearby islands of Split are not only great for daily charters but are always included in week-long itineraries because of the numerous coves and anchorages for all types of boats. Keep in mind that Trogir is also an alternative location to begin or end a sailing route in Croatia with a yacht as it is situated on the coast of Kastela bay and also has long historic traditions. All levels of divers and a lot of people come here to discover the underwater corals, sponges, lobsters and octopuses making it a great way to top-off your island hopping adventure in Split.
If you want to go a little further yet still want to enjoy a typical yachting cruise from Split, Trogir or Sibenik, you can visit Vis, Komiza, Korcula or Hvar which have popular towns with panoramic views to their beautiful sheltered bays. Do not miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s culture, enjoy the stunning cuisine and visit the secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat including Vela przina in Lumbarda on the eastern side of Komiza. It is worth mentioning that Hvar is known for its parties and world-class restaurants, one can also marvel at the historic Centre with rare Dalmatian palaces, walled towns and gothic architecture from the 13-century. The Pakleni islands can only be reached if you rent a boat in Hvar and they offer great shelter during high winds with a couple of fantastic restaurants on the seaside.
If we go even further down the Adriatic Coast in Southern Dalmatia, we will come across the lovely town of Dubrovnik which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has even been featured in Game of Thrones. If you rent a boat in Dubrovnik for a day trip you have the option to explore the Elafiti islands consisting of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan and for longer itineraries you can even extend to the Balkan gem of Montenegro where you will dock into Kotor Bay. We recommend you hire a sailboat with a skipper for longer distances for an adventurous and safe journey, the beauty of Croatia is that all yachts provide an authentic experience under sunny weather and promises safe sailing conditions.
Croatia offers a backward sailing route as well, from Split to Dubrovnik or from Dubrovnik to Split with multiple destinations such as Milna and komiza that meet halfway.
Your experience and island-hopping itinerary awaits you at the charter marina, the majority of which have been continuously improved in the last 10 years and of which many have become classic attractions due to their blue flag status in the pristine setting that yachts can moor at. You can just as easily moor at the 500 harbors which offer great services and provisioning and have been constructed in the past 20-30 years to be available to all yacht lovers and sailing enthusiast’s disposal.
Marinas and Airports
ACI Marina Pula: has a capacity of 192 berths with safe yacht anchorages and is the perfect getaway for generally sailing in Croatia from Istria.
Pula Airport: located 6km from the city centre and 12 min away from the ACI marina Pula.
ACL Marina, Cres: Has been awarded the blue flag not only for its perfect quality of water but also for the environmental management that stands in the center of the island and attracts activists and nature lovers from all over the world. In 2011 it was awarded the best marina for marinas worldwide that have a capacity of over 450 berths. Mega yachts up to 50m in length can also be accommodated in this capacious marina with shower and toilet facilities, WI-FI access, fuel station and nautical equipment as well as beach accessories. Daily charters depart from Cres to Krk for adventurous trips or to simply reach the mainland near Rijeka international airport.
Marina Punat, Krk: holds a traditional regatta for yachts each year since 1984. The marina certifies quality nautical services and is the best-equipped marina on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Offers 800 berths for boats up to 45m in length and makes every sailor feel like home.
Marina Mandalina, Sibenik: Can host yachts of up to 140m in length and occupies a berthing capacity of 429 yachts. Great starting point for trips to the Kornati islands and generally a very well-equipped marina.
Marina Kastela: Boat rentals in Split depart from Marina Kaštela which is only 7km away from Split Airport and was recently built to give easy access to the Adriatic Sea. The marina can hold a capacity of 420 berths for yachts up to 25 meters and is ideal for long term rentals in Split, Croatia.
Marina Milna, Brac: offers 185 berths and can accommodate yachts up to 25. The marina has won a prestigious blue flag award and has all the facilities and amenities you will need for your trip.
Brac Airport: close to the town of Bol and is only 40 min away from Milna Marina
ACI Marina Trogir: Generally less crowded than Split Marina and can berth up to 174 yachts. The marina can be tight for yachts that surpass the 40ft range particularly for catamarans. There are a plethora of restaurants and shops close to the marina.
Starigrad Marina, Hvar: Offers a space for 100 berths and the near fuel stations are in Hvar and Vrboska. Starigrad is one of the oldest settlements in Croatia but it offers excellent shelter conditions.
Port Dubrovnik: Can berth up to 380 yachts with a 1200m long quay and is generally well sheltered. Has great facilities and services and is a picturesque port which brings a lot of locals and tourists often, if there is too much naval traffic you can set anchor a little further into Lokrum island.
Dubrovnik Airport: 18km away from the port, third busiest airport after Zagreb and Split.
Anchorages:
Stiniva Bay: In 2016 it was voted the most beautiful beach in Vis island and today people partake in activities such as hiking, kayaking and snorkeling in this hidden paradise. This small pebbled beach guarantees seclusion and tranquility and is definitely worth the effort to hire a boat in Vis and make your way through the entrance of the bay which is protected by stone gates and leads to magnificent blue waters.
Galesnjak: the unique heart-shaped and uninhabited island makes a top destination for couples who want to go for a romantic-day cruise. It has been labeled as the isle of Love and is only half a km away from the coast of Turanj. The island is not so developed in terms of facilities and structures but is definitely a top charter spot for yachts who take visitors to propose to their significant others!
Cavtat: a quaint town featuring impressive Mediterranean vegetation and a 7km stretch of sandbanks, beaches and bays. It is in the southernmost region of Croatia and is less than 20km from Dubrovnik. The town has displayed buildings and ruins that have been traced for more than a thousand years.
Sveti Nikola: Known as the Hawaii of the Budva Riviera because of its abundance of beaches and evergreen forests. A lot of boat trips are organized from Porec to Sveti Nikola from May and October into the serene sandy beaches.
Lastovo: Lastovo is a remote archipelago of 46 islands which is embedded in rich nature, fjord-like formations that make a Croatian sailing holiday truly an adventure. Apart from being a haven for nature lovers, Lastovo hosts summertime festivals where residents dress up in costumes to celebrate and stargaze the pitch-black night sky.
Maslinica: The island is located in Solta and is known to have a coastal town where you can enjoy a magical evening by eating shrimps and lobster under a breathtaking sunset. There is a sheltered bay called Sesula which consists of 7 islands where many catamarans settle to relax during the day and night.
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