Best places to sail in Croatia

1. Kornati Islands

If your sailing tour starts in Zadar, then visiting romantic Kornati islands is a must-do. It's the perfect destination for couples, a honeymoon trip or a family sailing holidays in Croatia. Natural park Kornati can only be reached by boat, so a private yacht trip is the perfect opportunity to explore this natural habitat. With its 152 islands, islets and rocks, Kornati archipelago is the densest group of islands in the Mediterranean.

As soon as you enter the park, you get the feeling like being on another planet. There is no traffic, no cars or residents on these islands. Just you and your sailboat.

The typical yellow-coloured cone tops await to be conquered by hikers. A million-dollar view over the chains of islands, reefs and infinite blue seas, is truly spectacular. Underwater scenes are a paradise for divers, and snorkelers...

2. Kaprije  - Island Kaprije

Personally, one of my best Sailing destinations in Croatia is village Kaprije on the same-named island. This little Dalmatian gem is a part of Šibenik-Knin municipal, not so far form the province capital Šibenik. A small community of 150 residents is dependable on a small ferry, that delivers basic supplies twice a day. 

Kaprije is the place where time stops. Incredibly popular with sailors, Kaprije is the ultimate getaway from the crowds and tourist dense cities. Most of the sailors choose this island just to feel the true heartbeat of Dalmatia. Friendly locals with their easy-going lifestyle contribute a large part to this village's charm. These hidden Adriatic gems are actually the reasons for your sailing trip to discover Croatia as it once was.

You can choose to anchor in the azure cove in front of the town port, or you can take one of the 20 mooring lines to dock on a small pier...

3. Primošten

Discover Primošten - Monte Carlo of Šibenik-Zadar region. This buzzing town is a must-visit on your sailing trip from Zadar. It is one of the most famous tourist centres of Dalmatia, but simultaneously still protecting its innocence being a typical Dalmatian gem. 

The old town centre of was actually merged with the mainland a long time ago by the locals because of farming and cultivating. Nowadays, this vivid Adriatic pearl is crisscrossed with cobbled streets and typical Dalmatian architecture.

These charming stone houses are now mainly used as excellent restaurants, cocktail bars, and local taverns (konoba) where you can try locally produced red wine Babic with salted sardines and goat cheese...

4. Veli Rat - Dugi Otok Island

Northern part of Dugi otok (Long Island) is probably one of the less populated and tourist areas in Dalmatia. Mostly due to its isolation from the municipal capital Zadar. This is why is so popular with the sailors. It's a perfect getaway to charge your batteries and retreat from big city hustle and bustle. This is actually one of the most distant island chains in Croatia, that you need to explore on you sailing trip - there is only Italy more to the west.

It has the most beautiful sandy beaches and emerald coves in dense area just a few miles one from another. In you need to charge water and yacht's batteries there is a charming marina Veli Rat nearby. You won't regret if you decide to stay on the anchor during the night under the clear sky full of shooting stars. This is a perfect area for activity sailing holidays in Croatia ...

5. Silba -  Island Silba

Well, this is the island that tops my personal "best of" list. To visit this charming island, you can hire a private yacht charter in Pula or Zadar. Though it is not on the beaten track for most of the itineraries, this small island with 300 permanent residents deserves your visit. “The Gates of Dalmatia” it is called, for it lays on the border between northern and central Adriatic.

A few centuries ago, Silba used to be the island of captains, sailors and farmers. Nowadays, this small community mainly survives on fishing and tourism. However, it’s still considered an unknown destination for many boaters, is still largely dependable on yachting tourism.

The island is surrounded with secluded sandy beaches, where you can stop for the afternoon swim. I suggest to anchor in pristine coves Prapranica or  St. Ante and take a short stroll through the pine forest to the town. All motorised traffic has been banned from the island, except for few agricultural vehicles, so the whole island is a pedestrian zone...

6. Bol - Island Brač

Island Brač, the largest and the highest Dalmatian island is also world-known of a unique white marble. However, the sailors usually tend to visit this island for its stronger winds, sandy beaches and the famous "Golden horn" situated near Bol - the largest town on the southern side of the island. half-a-mile-long golden pebble beach changes shape with the currents and prevailing winds. Stronger channel (between Hvar and Brač) winds also attract many kitesurfers and windsurfers. 

Bol, with population close to 1.500, is a must-visit for the sailors. After your skipper moors your boat, feel free to take a walk along promenade and choose form multitude of bars and restaurants. Despite the tourist hustle and bustle at the shore walk avennue, you can still find quiet in the evenings to observe the sunset from your yacht in best company and a glass of wine...

7. Korčula - Island Korčula

Often called a small Dubrovnik, Korčula is mainly famous of being the birthplace, of the Venetian merchant Marco Polo. According to legend, Korčula was found by Trojan hero Anthenor in the 12th century b.c. On this island you can find more legends, tales and monuments than anywhere else. In this typical Mediterranean town.

Venetian architecture, impressive fortresses and epic defence walls are building the unique character of this Adriatic pearl.This ancient town actually embodies everything you came searching to Croatia.

Here you'll find: colorful streets, monumental history and museums, amazing cultural heritage, authentic cuisine, night bars and clubs, attractive stone houses and relaxed small-town atmosphere embedded in dense green forest and fig trees.

The island's sunny position is actually the main reason that the local community tries to promote their eco-oriented agriculture and traditional production...

8. Hvar - Island Hvar

You really don't want to miss this one out. Even if you are searching for quiet and privacy on your sailing trip, is something about this sun-soaked dazzling Croatian "Monte Carlo" that you need to explore.

It is hard to find a free spot to moor in Hvar town port so I recommend to find a safe berth on lovely Pakleni Islands. It is much easier and cheaper to take a 5-minute water taxi, then search for free moorings among the impressive luxury yachts 

You will soon get a chance to take a stroll along one of the most popular and enchanting Riviera in the world. This jet-set town is known for its buzzing nightlife and vivid streets where various world-known celebrities often come across. A spectacular view from the Splanjola fortress guarding the city is rewarding after a short ascend over the town...

9. Brač Pučišča - Island Brač

If you want to escape from the crowds to a small island village, this is an excellent choice. On the NE part of island Brač, the largest and the highest Dalmatian island, lies the hidden village Pučišča. Charming town at the end of a along bay is well-known of a unique white marble. The gleaming white stone, indigent to the island, makes this village one of a kind. Its white roofs are creating a true ambient atmosphere of a typical Dalmatian town.

There is a well known summer music school. It is not a rare occasion to hear the charismatic locals singing a-capella songs in the streets.

I recommend to dock your sailboat at the small town harbor at the south side of the basin. There are around 25 berths, equipped with moorings, water and power...

10. Komiža - Island Vis

The mysterious island Vis, spread with natural caves, fishing tradition, cultural heritage, impressive military history and unique Mediterranean philosophy is the island to visit on your sailing trip from Split.

With only 2 towns of altogether 5000 inhabitants and no industry miles around, this is the perfect place to go swim or explore the underwater habitat. The island was all through its war history a natural impregnable fortress claimed by Ilyrians, Greeks, Venetians, Austro-hungarians, British and French. Due to it's position this impressive island represents the perfect strategic point in Mediterranean. Vis literally rises from the middle of the Adriatic. 

On a fair sunny day, you can see all the way to Italy from the hill top Hum (585m) above Komiža town. Characteristic local fishermen, typical wooden vessels in town port, narrow streets and exhibiting local artists, are completing the charm of this old fishing village...