Hiring a sailboat in Croatia is a fantastic way to explore the unique coastline and numerous islands. Bordering on the Adriatic Sea between the Balkan and Italian Peninsula, one can sail along the Dalmatian coast. Many destinations exhibit ancient forts, national parks and castles sitting within or above beautiful bays. The BednBlue platform offers an abundance of sailing vessels for all regions of Croatia, starting from Istria all the way to Dubrovnik. You can directly contact the owners for the ideal sailboat or allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some handpicked suggestions.
You have plenty of available options for sailing:
You can rent a sailboat 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. 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 explore the surrounding peninsula consisting of Sibenik, Brac, and Hvar. In Southern Dalmatia, you can explore Milna, and 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 luxury sailboat for a week charter and take in an experience of a lifetime.
Croatia has an easy-going lifestyle, great hospitality, and delicious food and wine. The Istrian peninsula is on the western side of Croatia and attracts over 4 million visitors. Istria has charming towns and fishing villages. Some of these include Rovinj, Poreč, and Motovun, to name a few. The Dalmatian coast extends from Zadar to Dubrovnik and is 200 miles long. You will find several towns that have Venetian and Greek origins. The town of Dubrovnik 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 and start touring Cape Kamenjak and the nature reserve of Premantura. Moreover, the Brijuni National Park is composed of 14 islands with incredible waters, it is great for snorkeling, too. Some of the best places to sail in Croatia are Porec, Rovinj, and Pula. All seaside towns have spectacular rugged coastlines and scenic beaches that can be included in your itinerary.
Kvarner Gulf is composed of Cres, Krk, Pag, Losinj, and Rab. These islands have incredible scenery and are becoming the top sailing destinations in Croatia. Krk Island has a mile-long bridge that connects to other islands on 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 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. It is great for touring the Plitvice Lakes which connects dozens of lakes with hundreds of waterfalls.
The Kornati islands are easily accessible from the Port of Zadar which represents the historical center of Dalmatia. Sibenik also offers excellent charter trips into the 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. Krk has 17 scenic waterfalls and Telascica is full of wildlife and creatures. The Kornati Archipelago however has been a long-time favorite destination for sailors as it has 147 islands that are uninhabited. They all have a fair amount of secret bays that are ideal for swimming. Due to the various anchorages, inlets, and bays, we recommend booking a sailboat with a skipper in this area of Croatia.
The nearby islands of Split are not only great for daily charters but are always included in week-long itineraries. Keep in mind that Trogir is also an alternative location to begin or end a sailing route in Croatia. 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 in Croatia.
If you want to go a little further, you can visit Vis, Komiza, Korcula, or Hvar during your sailing adventure in Croatia. Do not miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s culture, and enjoy the stunning cuisine. 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 13th century. The Pakleni islands are easily accessible from Hvar and have 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. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also featured in Game of Thrones. Sailing on this side of Croatia, you will have the opportunity to explore the Elafiti islands consisting of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. For longer itineraries, you can even extend to the Balkan gem of Montenegro where you will dock into Kotor Bay. The beauty of Croatia is that all sailboats provide an authentic experience under sunny weather and promise 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.
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 center 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. Megayachts 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 at home.
Marina Mandalina, Sibenik: Can host yachts of up to 140m in length and occupies a berthing capacity of 429 yachts. It is a 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 nearby 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, the third busiest airport after Zagreb and Split.
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