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Sail Croatia
Sail Away along the Dalmatian Coast
To experience the most incredible coastline.
Why
The Why, When & How to visit...
With over 1,100 miles of coastline along the mainland and over 1,200 islands and islets, sailing Croatia is a fantastic way to experience the impressive coastline and coastal towns Croatia has to offer. Croatia has the natural beauty, history and charm of other coastal southern European countries with less of the crowds. Sailing the coast provides a great, efficient way to see more of the country on land and water, while experiencing some of the small town gems.
When
How
Sailings depart from Split or Dubrovnik - the two largest coastal Croatian cities with airports. The only direct flight to & from North America to Croatia is on United Airlines from Newark, NJ (EWR) to & from Dubrovnik (DBV). Flying into Split or from another location to Dubrovnik requires a connection in a major European airport hub.
The sailing season starts late April through the end of September. Prices are much higher during peak months of June & July. Average temperature highs start in the mid-60's F with 7 days of rain in April and peak in the high 80's F with 2-3 days of rain in July & August. I suggest waiting until September when temperatures start to decline to more manageable high 70's F in September and crowds thin out.
The European budget airlines operate flights to both from most major European airports. Reaching the harbors from both airports is accessible via a cab or public bus/ airport shuttle for 6-8 euros.
Where
to stay...
1) Sail Croatia - I took Sail Croatia, which operates 5 different cruises: i) Navigator for a party cruise for 18-39-year-olds, ii) Explorer for a more low-key cruise for couples, 25+ year-olds, and those focused more on sightseeing, iii) Elegance for a luxury cruise 35+ year-olds, and iv-v) one focused on cycling and another hiking for 18+ year-olds. All cruises are for 7 nights, including breakfast, a 3-course lunch, wifi, a tour manager, and swim stops. All ships have a private ensuite bathroom and air-conditioned rooms, except for the Standard ship for the Navigator cruise.
All, but the hiking cruises offers either round-trip to & from Split, starting in Split and ending in Dubrovnik, or vice versa. The hiking cruise offers round-trip from Split and Dubrovnik. The Navigator and Explorer have the same 4 yachts to choose from for certain weeks. The Elegance includes airport transfers, a welcome reception, captains dinner (also included with the Explorer), and village dinner. Sail Croatia also has a variety of sail yachts available for private rental with a captain or skipper for 6 to 40 people.
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2) Heritage hotel Santa Lucia - For accommodations in Split before or after the cruise, check out the Heritage hotel Santa Lucia for a centrally-located, upscale, boutique hotel on a popular square in Old Town. The hotel has rooftop and ground-level restaurants and spacious, airy rooms with chevron, wood floors and elegant bathrooms with Replica toiletries. For more details and the ability to book, click here.
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3) Villa Orabelle - For accommodations in Dubrovnik before or after the cruise, try Villa Orabelle for airy, waterfront, modern accommodations a short drive from Old Town, port and beach. The hotel has an outdoor pool to cool off from the heat and restaurant. Rooms have a few different design aesthetics some with sea views and terraces. For more information and the ability to book, click here.
What
Do
to...
1) Explore Croatia - On the cruise I took, the trip started in Split and ended in Dubrovnik with stops in between at Makarska, Stari Grad, Hvar, Korcula, and Mljet. The boat typically docked right in town making it easy to explore each town on foot. Excursions were also offered in most places for additional activity options. Each place was beautiful and unique in its own way.
Split Old Town has a lot to offer in a compact space with history dating between the 3rd and 4th centuries first established by the Greeks then by the Romans followed by the Venetians, Austrians, French and so on. This UNESCO World Heritage city is considered to be some of the best preserved Roman architecture.
The Old Town is filled with historic sites, restaurants, bars, stores, gelato shops, and even a Game of Thrones museum to explore. At the center is the Diocletian Palace providing free concerts every summer night at 8pm. There's also a Green Market selling produce & other foods every day 6am-2pm, alongside souvenir stalls adjacent to the marina. Split also has Bacvice Beach with beach clubs a short walk away.
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There's no shortage of cool restaurants in Old Town Split to explore. Ones that caught my eye were: Bokeria Kitchen & Wine, Uje Oil Bar, Kinoteka Restaurant & Bar, and ZOI. For a Croatian peka dining experience there's also - Taste Dalmatian Peka. Restaurant Spalatin is a pretty restaurant on a charming square open everyday 7am-11:30pm offering a la carte and 3-course lunch and dinner on a beautiful square. For an intimate cocktail bar, definitely check out Noor with more unique and really well balanced cocktails.
Heading to the first stop of Makarska offered I'd say the prettiest views of the towns visited. Surrounded by mountains, Makarska has a huge beach along its bay to enjoy during the day with drinks at Sol Lounge Bar followed by one of the dining options at Hotel Osejava.
Stari Grad is a small marina town on the island of Hvar and one of the oldest towns in Europe dating back to 3,500-2,500 BC. Explore its winding old town during the day and enjoy an organic, farm-to-table dinner & wine at Hora Hvar restaurant & vineyard at night. On the south end of the island is the bustling Hvar town filled with restaurants, bars & shops. Enjoy waterfront alfresco dining at Don Quijote, drinks at Nautica Bar, and top-notch specialty cocktails at Carpe Diem Bar.
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Heading over to the picturesque island town of Korcula, be sure to experience a drink atop a 15th century fortified turret at Cocktail bar Massimo for great views & drinks. Enjoy a charcuterie snack & wine at Bokar Wine Bar or Wine bar Roco. In Mljet, explore the National Park, including a boat ride to St. Mary's Island containing a monastery dating back to 1151. Then cool off with drinks & swimming at Vista Mare Beach Bar followed by a seafood dinner at Konoba Ribar.
Last, but not least, in Dubrovnik, enjoy waterfront drinks and/or dining at Port 22 or Bistro Revelin for great views of the marina & Old Town. For fine dining, there's also Nautika and Michelin star awarded restaurant 360 Dubrovnik. Lastly, Buza Bar along the wall provides a unique drink experience staggered along the cliff down to the water.
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2) Excursions - The cruises have optional excursions for most days, including zip lining and canyoning in Makarska, wine tasting in Stari Grad, kayaking and buggy rides in Korcula, biking in the Mljet National Park, and walking tours in Dubrovnik. They also have day trips to Montenegro from Dubrovnik and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina from Split. If arriving and/or staying a few days before and/ or after the cruise, can also book excursions separately through a company like Viator.
From Split, I recommend visiting the historic city of Mostar in neighboring Bosnia & Herzegovina. This Mostar and Kravica Waterfall Discovery Day Trip provides a tour and free time to explore Mostar followed by time to cool off at a natural water park under the impressive Kravica waterfalls. In Mostar, explore the charming old town, including a traditional lunch at Restaurant Šadrvan and a traditional Bosnian coffee experience at Café de Alma. Buy beautiful handmade painted and carved copper decorative items at Mirza made with locally sourced copper.
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From Dubrovnik, there are day trips to Kotor, Montenegro, including this private tour, this small group tour for bookings of 4-8 people, and for individual tickets to a group tour of up to 45 attendees here and here. Tours to both Mostar and Kotor typically leave between 6:45-8am and are for 11-12 hours with roughly a 2 hour drive each way and additional time for the border crossing. Passport needed!
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3) ​Swim Stops - Embrace the daily swim stops to cool off from the Croatian heat.
Eat
Fresh seafood, black risotto, and peka, which is a mix of vegetables and meat baked in a dome.
Drink
Croatian wine & raki.
*If of legal drinking age to drink responsibly
Wear
Croatian Cool
Watch
Below Deck: Mediterranean (Season 2 & 6) and Sailing Yacht (Season 2) on Peacock
Listen
"Sail Away"
by lovelytheband
Gift
Click here for Gift ideas