So, you want to sail in Croatia, but you don't know who, what, where, when or how?
In this article you can find, among other things, how to choose the best boat for you, when it is best to go, and how much such a wonderful trip can cost. In addition, you will read where are the best ports to start from. And finally, there are ready-made itineraries through Croatia for you!
Sailing in Croatia
Let us reassure you, almost anyone can sail in Croatia. Because of the calm wind speed, and being able to navigate by sight makes it an easy sailing area for beginners. Even if you've just completed your sailing course, you can already sail in Croatia! Of course, you have to be able to sail independently, but if you can't quite manage that yet, there are very nice male and female skippers who will be happy to teach you and show you all the pretty towns and beautiful bays.
To sail in Croatia, you must have a hire a skipper. Skippers are usually locals, who can give you excellent information about the area. Should you opt for a skipper, this will cost you between 80 and 150 euros per day, and bear in mind that you will have to cook for them and they must have their own cabin.
Cruising routes Croatia
But where do you go from here? Check out our ready-made itineraries. Do you have your own fun itinerary and would like to share it with us? Feel free to email it to [email protected].
- Along the coast of Dalmatia
- Dubrovnik
- Dream holiday destination Zadar
- Culinary wine flotilla Dalmatia
Which boat should I choose, and how?
The boats you can hire are Monohull or Catamarans. A Monohull, as the name betrays, has one hull. A Catamaran, as you can see below, has two hulls. The advantage of a Catamaran is that it is more stable, which is fine if you want to sail with children, as well as if you might suffer from seasickness. On the other hand, a Monohull is easier to manoeuvre than a Catamaran, and for the same space it is usually cheaper than a Catamaran.
If you still haven't figured it out, our charter experts are always there for you!
Sailing yacht vs. Cruise ship
The environment will thank you if you go sailing instead of going on a cruise. The bigger the ship, the more pollution of course. According to CBS, each cruise ship passenger emits 225 kg of CO2 per day! If you want something more luxurious than a normal yacht, you can also rent a catamaran!
When is the best time to go on holiday in Croatia?
The best time to travel in Croatia is off-season, in May, June, and September. In May, the water is colder than later in the year. In September/October, the water temperature can even reach 29 degrees!
Croatia has a maritime climate, just like the Netherlands. There is not much wind in Croatia, usually between 5 and 20 knots.
Croatia has stronger winds at sea. The Bora, a cold NO wind that blows from the mainland to the open sea, which happens mostly in winter. In summer, Bora is not as strong. The advantage of Bora is the cooling it gives on warmer days and how well you can sail with that wind. And the Jugo, the warm SE wind that provides clouds, rain, and low air pressure. You can notice this wind up to 3 days in advance, but Jugo is especially common in the winter months.
How much does sailing in Croatia cost?
This obviously depends on several things, how many people you go with, how big the yacht is, for how long you go, etc.
Suppose you and 4 other friends want to go sailing. You take a sailing yacht without skipper, because you can already sail so well, with 2 cabins. For a week in high season, you can enjoy being on the water for as little as €400 per person. To this must be added the cost of groceries, fuel, and the price to moor in the marinas. It generally costs between 60 and 150 euros to anchor in Croatia. In contrast, there are spots where you can anchor for free, and some restaurants have their own spot where you can anchor for free if you eat there.
Which route suits me?
The nice thing about renting a boat on your own, with or without a skipper, is that you can completely figure out for yourself where to go and when. But where should you start? Below is a list of popular port cities in Croatia where you can start. These ports have been chosen for their distance from the airport and their facilities. And will you go there by car or by plane? Both are possible, but with the car you have to consider extra parking costs.
Starting point
There are different ports where you can start. For example, we start our own flotilla from Zaton. You can get to these ports by car but also by plane and taxi.
Pula
In the heart of Pula is this slightly more luxurious marina, where you almost feel generous. You're on the edge of town. A 5-minute walk puts you in the heart of Pula, with beautiful historical sights, great food, and great views of the Roman Amphitheatre from the port itself.
- 5 km from Pula Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a restaurant, bar, spa and free Wi-Fi.
Marina Veruda
This beautiful marina is not as close to Pula itself, making it a lot quieter. Here you can feel a lovely breeze as you get out of the car or taxi. The marina goes along part of the beautiful Veruda bay. A short 10-minute walk and you're in super pretty village, with several hotels and tents with delectable food.
- 12 km from Pula Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant, a petrol station, a diving club, a children's playground and a shop.
Zadar
A small, cosy marina outside the town of Zadar, away from all the hustle and bustle. So you feel the tranquillity when you step inside here. This marina is surrounded by flats and hotels, and few tourist attractions, which is why this port is perfect if you just want to get on the boat quietly.
- 15 km from Zadar Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a swimming pool, a beach, a terrace with nice views, a bar, a shop, a Tesla charging point and a restaurant.
This is one of the larger marinas, close to the airport. You are not directly in Zadar, but you are close to the picturesque village of Sukošan. Right next to the marina is a beautiful beach with clear blue water, great for dipping your feet in.
- 5 km from Zadar Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a shop, a beach club with restaurant, diving centre, lounge bar and a kids' club.
Trogir
Marina Boatić
This beautifully large marina sits next to Trogir, within walking distance of a gorgeous little beach. Nearby are several small tents where you can enjoy good food, and you won't encounter many tourists. You'll quickly feel like a local walking through the old streets.
- 7 km from Split Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar, shop, fitness studio and swimming pool.
A lovely marina on the island of Okrug Gornji, easily accessible by car or taxi. The marina is located among many flats and hotels, and with 10 minutes you can walk right into the beautiful village and feel like you're going back in time.
- 6 km from Split Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a diving centre, a wellness centre, a shop, a restaurant and free wifi.
Split
ACI Split sits further from the airport, but the views of Diocletian's Palace are well worth it. This port won the ‘Tourist flower - quality for Croatia’ award in 2017. Close by are two fantastic parks, with great views of the sea.
- 26 km from Split Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a restaurant, a shop, free wifi and a Tesla charging station.
Marina Kaštela
This great marina sits close to the city, but far enough away to feel the peace and quiet. With a 5-minute walk you can be on a lovely beach, and on the other side are several shops where you can stock up completely.
- 11 km from Split Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a restaurant, a swimming pool, free wifi, a shop and a café-bar.
Dubrovnik
ACI Marina Dubrovnik
One of the most beautiful marinas in Dubrovnik is only 6 km away from the old city centre. This marina has all the facilities you could want. Furthermore, the marina is surrounded by beautiful forest, which is perfect for a quiet walk to get away from it all.
- 22 km from Dubrovnik Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a swimming pool, a restaurant, a shop, a golf course and free wifi.
Marina Frapa Dubrovnik
This marina is in the heart of Dubrovnik, a short taxi ride away from the antiquity that makes Dubrovnik so beautiful. Within walking distance sits a beautiful street filled with fantastic eateries. Sit relaxed at the swim-up bar with a cocktail, either a mocktail if you're the lucky one who has to be behind the helm.
- 22 km from Dubrovnik Airport
- Parking available
- Facilities include a swim-up bar, a bar, a restaurant and a Tesla charging station.
Zaton
Marina Zaton
Our very own flotilla trips from this beautifully small cosy marina, you'll be in the holiday mood right here. With ten steps from your car or taxi, you're on your boat. Many other ports in Croatia are luxurious and massive, but here you immediately feel the tranquillity. The kids can swim right away and within walking distance is a nice village with shops and cosy terraces.
- 71 km from Zadar Airport
- Parking available
In case you are still in doubt whether you should go sailing in Croatia, here are 10 reasons why you should.
Corona
How do you go on holiday during Corona? Fortunately, sailing is one of the safest ways to go on holiday!
Because you are at sea, you are actually completely shielded from the rest of the world. The only contact you get is when you go to the supermarket to do some shopping. Or because you run out of beer. As long as the country you are going to does not have a code red, as a sailor you can almost certainly still go there. In consultation with your employer, of course. At the moment ( 10 June 2022), there are no more restrictions on Croatia.