Family Sailing Vacations
Croatian coast is the home of Mediterranean sailing holidays and last decade the most popular European destination for a family sailing holiday. That is why a relaxing 7-day yacht vacation on a private sailing charter in Croatia can be a unique opportunity to spend some quality time with your family and teach your kids valuable communication and cooperation skills. There is nothing like trying to accomplish an exciting task together and strengthen family bonds in a complete natural environment. Give your kids a chance to steer the boat or help your skipper with the sails. They will be talking about it for years. Surrounded by hundreds of beautiful islands and sky-blue Adriatic simply surrender yourself to excellent ambience and enjoy your sailing holiday in Croatia in the embrace of your loved ones.
Best family sailing destinations in Croatia
1. Zadar sailing Tour
Choosing a suitable sailing destination in Croatia for you family cruise is essential. One of the beloved sailing itineraries for families is Zadar sailing trip including the iconic Kornati national park. Between myriad of densely scattered islands your adventure will not only be safe but also more interesting. Easy island hopping, small sailing distances and exotic lonely beaches behind every corner ideal for a midday stop will make everyone happy. Rent sailboat in Zadar city with Croatian skipper and make your sailing a odyssey an indulging charter experience.
2. Istria sailing adventure
Heart-shaped Istrian peninsula is best kept sectret for a family yacht trip. Impressive wildlife parks, pebbled beaches and astounding flora and fauna, are at the doorstep of historic Pula city. The diversity of this region is breathtaking. Romantic Venetian towns, colorful island ports, untouched nature of northern Adriatic and superb gastronomy make this region the prefect getaway for a relaxing charter vacation. Renting a sailboat in Pula allows you to visit and explore these unique locations and together enjoy your holiday moments in a gentle swing of your yacht.
8 facts why Croatia is top family sailing destination
- most affordable yacht vacation prices on Mediterranean
- densely scattered islands prevent waves from getting choppy
- short sailing distances and easy island hopping
- low winds allow great sailing conditions for beginners
- dry and warm weather in summer months is ideal for kids
- safe anchorages where you can spend a peaceful night
- picturesque island ports and historic sites to explore
- warm sea temperature is great for various water activities
Useful tips when you plan to go sailing with children
1. Adjust your daily dynamics
Private sailing vacation is a unique opportunity to spend quality time with your kids and a great way to show your spouse and children how much you care.
The itineraries we recommend include lots of stops for swimming and different water activities. In this case everything will be more interesting, exciting and fun. Plus, it will help your kids to go to bed earlier and allow the grownups to reflect on daily impressions and enjoy in a glass of wine through the evening. Every day you will get to visit amazing islands with colorful ports, where you can explore local cuisine and bond new friendships.
2. Keep them occupied
Ensure your children more time to enjoy in water-based activities.
If you give your kids serious job titles aboard, like (second mate, navigator, chef's assistant, fisherman in charge for the dinner catch) they will be certainly more cooperative and feel more important.
That will certainly get more attention, interest and awareness of the remarkable marine environment.
3. The more, the merrier
Within the company of their friends, your children won't get bored. It is always more fun to have friends with the same age and size aboard.
Make sure that they can move safely aboard and bring your life vests. If you don't have them, let the charter company know their sizes and they will get them for you.
4. Use sunscreen & hydrate
It is no fun if you get sunburned, so you have to keep your kids protected from the summer sun, that can be quite dangerous.
Spending much energy while playing and snorkeling in the summer time also demands drinking a lot of liquids.
5. Take lots of water toys and asnorkelling gear
Don' forget snorkeling gear, inflatable pillows, water tubes and pool toys. This will keep them occupied in water for hours.
Paddle board (SUP) is perfect to stretch and to stir up. Water activities are not only a good for the exercise but also a natural soporific.
You will have no problem to get them to sleep in the evening.
6. Take your holiday in summer
Best time for a relaxed family sailing vacation in Croatia is in the summer months. The perfect period should be between late June till early September.
The air is around 30o the sea 25o and there is always enough wind to cool you down. If you take your trip in summer, your kids will have more options for water sports, various activities.
Please find some tips about the how to plan a perfect sailing trip and best tips on when is best time to sail Croatia
4 things you should bring on a family sailing cruise
Family Sailing Vacations FAQs
The final cost basically depends on these factors: boat type, age, length and what sailing season you wish to book it. Price range for a 40-foot sailing boat suitable for a family with 2 kids lies between 2.500 & 3.500 Euros per week in July and August.
What are the Extras?
- local tourist tax and permit 1.35€/day per person
- fuel for the yacht approx. 100€ per week
- safety deposit for the yacht 1.500€ (refundable)
- skipper from 150€ per day, plus food during the week
When it comes to choosing the right vessel for your yacht charter week in Croatia it is very important that you choose a spacious, stable and comfortable boat so your kids can move easy and safe. That is why renting a catamaran in Croatia over a sailing boat would be the right decision if you prefer more comfort, stability and privacy aboard.
The impressive volumes on catamarans provide more stability, safer environment for kids, easier movement along the deck and privacy aboard for their parents. However, your sailing experience might be more genuine and exciting by renting a sailing boat charter in Croatia and involve your kids into sailing activity as well.
Don't worry, you are in safe hands of our knowledgeable skippers. They will take care of everything. Assist you at the boarding, show you around the yacht, help you to decide what places are best to visit and try to secure as much space as you need during your trip.
Safety is always first, so bring a suitable life jacket for children. The jacket should be comfortable enough for your kids to move around the boat. We recommend brighter colours like blaze orange or yellow. Something like this Watersnake Apollo jacket.
Chartering a comfortable sailing catamaran, ideal for a family cruise in summer season lies between 5.500€ and 6.500€ per week. Skipper's fee, mooring cost and fuel is not included in the price.
The main difference between the two popular sailing destinations is in the sailing distance between islands. In Greece you need more time from one island to another while in Croatia the distances to navigate among the islands are much shorter. That is why Croatia is better for families with kids, beginners, day sailors and groups that want some extra time to explore and prefer more stops during the day for swimming and snorkeling.
Croatian Adriatic has always been a children friendly destination assuring countless opportunities for a exciting family sailing trip. Small distances among scattered Croatian islands, well sheltered anchorages, sandy beaches, calm and crystal-clear seas and charming seaside villages with numerous attractions for kids makes Croatian coast among best yacht charter destinations in Europe ideal for families with kids.
Summer months between June and September are perfect for a relaxing family cruise on the eastern Adriatic. The weather is pleasant with abundance of sunshine, warm sea temperatures and soothing winds blowing from the open seas assuring great conditions for you to smoothly navigate among the myriad of Croatian islands.
Your kids are going love the crystalline seas, ideal for various water activities and sports, while their parents can enjoy and relax in an amazing natural ambience on their private yacht charter.
Everyone with a bit of adventurous spirit is welcome - various groups, couples, families with kids, or adrenaline seekers. A private yacht trip in Croatia is suitable for everyone that wants to experience a genuine and a different vacation. Simply sail your worries away on a one-week gentle cruise across the calm and warm Adriatic.
Renting a 4-cabin sailing boat comfortable for a family of 5 will cost you between 3.500 and 4.000 euros within the main chartering season. However, the Overall sailing holiday expense mostly depends on the yacht's size and the services on board. Prices on Catamaran charters in Croatia are on average 50% higher.
What is included?
- yacht rental for one week
- end cleaning, bedding
- handling fees
- dingy with outboard engine and Wi-Fi connection on board
Extras (to be paid at spot):
- skipper service 1.050€ per week plus food
- tourist tax 1.35€/day/person (app. 80€ per week for 6 persons)
- safety deposit for a yacht 2.000€ (refundable)
- fuel per consumption (average 100€ per week)
- marina and port fees (around 350€ within a week)
Croatia is the cradle of sailing holidays and among best European sailing destinations for families with kids. With warm and calm Adriatic sea, pleasant temperatures, abundance of sunshine, low winds and densely scattered islands, Croatian coast is a beloved location for family cruises.
First estimate how much space do you need and how high your budget is. When you plan a sailing trip with children, booking a skippered catamaran holiday in Croatia is your best choice. If you stay on a budget yacht charter, a sailboat with 2 steering wheels and bathing platform should do. To divide the cost, it is common that 2 families rent one catamaran. One hull for one family.
On a sailing yacht your adventure will be definitively more genuine with more sailing pleasures and quiet with minimum fuel consumption. Catamarans are wider, more stable, and comfortable, ensuring extra space when it comes into the quality of living aboard. However, extra commodity and luxury, means also higher rental price, larger costs on fuel, an marina fees.
If you think green, rent a sailboat!
Less consumption means less exhaust into the sea. Especially if you stay most of the time under sails. Renting a sailboat in Croatia gives you a unique opportunity to embrace these amazing landscapes in full authenticity and bring your sailing experience to entirely different level.
During your family sailing vacation in Zadar Croatia make sure not to miss these ones out:
- Kornati natural park with 100 pristine islands and islets is one of the true natural wonders in Croatia
- Kaprije a small charming islet with typical fishing village, warm locals and top-notch Dalmatian cuisine is something you can't miss out
- Silba or the island of love, is the perfect place to spend a romantic night on anchor surrounded with beautiful flora and fauna
- Primošten charming island village for a relaxing stroll along the lively promenades - perfect for kids
- Island Žut - a little gem with an amazing island cuisine and secluded bays
- Murter a home of many sailors and top culinary destination. Lively seaside village with marinas on the northern part surrounded with small islets, create breathtaking contrasts.
8 Things that you Don't want to forget:
- boarding pass and reservation documents
- sun protection (sun lotion, sunglasses for UV protection, hats)
- life jackets for kids
- your passport, or personal ID, enough cash
- bathing suit or a swimsuit (3-5 pairs) and swimming towels
- personal items (prescription pills, medicine for allergy...)
- a wind stopper or a wind breaker in summer a long-sleeved cardigan would do
- positive vibes (leave your worries at home)
Please read about the Sail Croatia Packing List for newbies.
Croatia has moderate prices compared to other European countries. However, the prices vary from region to region. Locals say that the prices in Croatia rise as you travel along the coast from north to south. Seaside places and Dalmatian islands can be considerable expensive while Istria and Kvarner still keep their prices comparable to the inland. Remember to rather eat and drink local then imported.
Prices for some items at the coast
- cup of coffee 1.5€
- pint of local beer 2.5€
- 1,5l bottled water from store 0.7€
- public transport 1-2€ one way
- 1 bottle of local medium quality wine in store 6€
- average 3- course dinner 25-30€/person
Total trip cost really depends on your habits and where and how you choose to spend your money. Bareboat charter prices are 10-15% lower than in Italy, Greece or Spain.