With 5,800 km of coastline and over 1,200 islands, Croatia is the perfect country to discover by boat. Especially as the coastline is peppered with ancient cities with a rich Roman heritage, and wild coves that make ideal overnight anchorages. That's why we've designed this itinerary for a sailing cruise in Croatia to be a clever blend of wild spots and beautiful historic towns. In the same way, it passes through both free anchorages where you can enjoy nature, and more equipped ports where you can stock up on provisions. The itinerary focuses on Dalmatia, which is a particularly rich and dense region of Croatia, so you'll be able to access many of its beauties without having to cover great distances.
To make the most of this trip, we've designed this itinerary so that it's not too navigation-heavy, allowing you to enjoy each of your stopovers. You'll sail for an average of 2 to 4 hours a day, so you'll be able to keep up a leisurely pace.
Day 1: Split to Drvenik Veli
The departure and arrival point for this sailboat cruising itinerary is Split, which has a very well-connected airport and will therefore be fairly easy to reach. Split is a sunny destination less than 3 hours from France. Likewise, Split's harbour is very well equipped, and you'll have no trouble renting a sailboat there.
Historic Split is full of treasures, as its historic center is nestled inside the palace of a former Roman emperor! So don't leave without spending at least a day exploring it. Then set sail for Drvenik Veli, the first island on this tour. This represents a distance of 15 nautical miles, or around 3 hours at a speed of 5 knots. Drvenik Veli is a particularly wild and unspoilt island in Central Dalmatia. In stark contrast to bustling, touristy Split. Spend the night at the aptly-named Blue Lagoon, an exceptional anchorage in turquoise waters, protected from the winds by the island. There's a konoba, or traditional Croatian inn, on site.
Day 2: Vis
For this second day, leave Drvenik Veli in the morning to sail towards Vis. This represents a journey of around 25 nautical miles, or 4 to 5 hours. This is the longest crossing on this Croatian sailing cruise itinerary. You'll then arrive on the island of Vis, another particularly unspoilt Dalmatian island, especially as it is the furthest island in central Dalmatia from the mainland, and was long an army possession, so has been spared tourist construction. Moor your yacht in the island's main port, in Vis, the municipality that lies in the hollow of a small gulf to the northeast of the island. The harbor is located directly in front of a small marina where you'll find a few restaurants and plenty of supplies for your sailboat. But nature is never far away, and hiking trails leave directly from the port to explore the island. If you prefer water to land, Vis is also an excellent sailing spot in Dalmatia. You can also simply sail around the island of Vis, which has several anchorages, such as Buldikovac, to the south-west.
Day 3: Palmižana
The next morning, it's time to set sail again for Palmižana, a small island south of the island of Hvar. This represents a distance of 6 nautical miles, or 1 h 30, depending on your speed and the size of your sailboat. Palmižana is the largest island in an archipelago known as the Infernal Islands. These islands are characterized by their jagged rocky coastlines, with numerous coves that can be explored by sailboat, as they are protected from the wind and are easy to anchor in. These coves not only make Palmižana an ideal sailing destination, but also the perfect beach destination! To spend the night, you can choose between the well-equipped but fee-paying marina of Palmižana, located to the north-east of the island, or find a free, wild anchorage, of which there is no shortage on the island.
Day 4: Hvar
On the fourth day of your Croatian sailboat cruise, weigh anchor and set sail for Hvar. It's one of Croatia's most popular islands, nicknamed the Dalmatian Saint-Tropez for its beautiful, often Instagrammable Croatian landscapes and long, lively summer evenings. To reach it from Palmižana, you'll need to sail just 2 miles, i.e. around half an hour. Although Hvar is known for its festivities, it is also a perfect place for nature and history lovers, as it is dominated by a large Venetian fortress. Hvar's main marina is located in Hvar itself, the island's main town. It's a very well-equipped harbor, but quite busy, and may be fully booked in high season. In that case, don't hesitate to simply find an anchorage nearby - there are plenty all around the island.
Day 5: Bol, on the island of Brač
Another day, another must-see island in Croatia, this time Brač, the island just north of Hvar. You'll need to travel 18 miles, or around 3 h 30, to reach Bol, a small town on the south of the island, with a very pleasant marina where you can moor. Along the way, you'll find a number of anchorages on the shores of the island of Hvar. You can picnic in a wild cove or easily find a coastal restaurant. Bol is a pretty coastal village with a seafront promenade leading to one of Europe's most beautiful beaches: Zlatni Rat. You'll find plenty of supplies in Bol, which will come in handy as the next day's anchorage has no shops.
Day 6: Šešula Bay
Set sail in the morning for the last destination on this Croatian sailing cruise itinerary: Šešula Bay. It lies to the far west of the island of Šolta, itself to the west of the island of Brač. You'll need to sail 22 miles, in around 4 hours. Šešula is a wind-protected, natural bay. As a result, you'll find only two restaurants, including the excellent Konoba Šešula, which serves top-quality Croatian cuisine. The bay of Šešula is an excellent starting point for cycling and walking tours, as there are several paths criss-crossing the island.
Day 7: Back to Split
On the last day of your Croatian sailboat cruise, it's time to set sail for Split, your port of departure. But before that, weather permitting, you can continue exploring the Croatian coastline one last time, in particular towards Trogir. This magnificent Unesco World Heritage city is less than ten miles from Split, so it's well worth spending your last day there, before returning to your base port. In Split harbor, you'll find everything you need to refuel and clean your yacht.
For more ideas for your trip to Croatia, take a look at our one-week itinerary in Croatia, our article on the Šibenik-Knin region, or our complete article on Dalmatia. You can also consult our other sailing cruise itineraries in Greece or Sardinia.
Tempted by a cruising vacation in Croatia? Take advantage of our partner's offers, compare and book from over 50,000 boats worldwide right here !
Take a look at our airfares now and book without delay !
