Did you realise that Croatia is the perfect spot for a sailing holiday? This country boasts a long, dreamy coastline on the Adriatic Sea that is dotted with hidden pebble beaches, thousands of islands, and beautifully preserved historic stone towns.
Whether you are an expert sailor skippering your own bareboat charter or a bit of a landlubber renting a catamaran with a local skipper and hostess, there is nothing to stop you from exploring this gorgeous part of the world.
To help you plan, here is a stunning, logically routed 7-day itinerary that takes you from the historic streets of Split all the way down to the dramatic walls of Dubrovnik.
1. Split: The Perfect Starting Point
This wonderful, ancient city is the ideal launching pad for any sailing holiday in Croatia. Steeped in Roman history, the entire city center revolves around the monumental Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 4th century.
Before you head to the marina to step onto your boat, spend a few hours soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine along the palm-lined Riva promenade. Split is a deeply cultural city with a proud heritage of live music, open-air art, and seaside bustle—giving you plenty to explore before casting off on your first leg.
2. Šolta Island: The Quiet Fishing Village of Maslinica
An easy, unhurried way to get your sea legs is to head directly over to Šolta Island. Located just 9 nautical miles from Split, it is a short, smooth cruise across the Split Channel.
Your destination here is Maslinica, a postcard-perfect village on the western tip of the island, famous for its breathtaking sunsets and its centerpiece 18th-century Venetian castle. As you tie up in the harbor, you will be surrounded by rolling olive groves, local vineyards, and traditional wooden fishing boats. It is the perfect introduction to the slow island pace.
Vis Island: The Untouched Hidden Gem
From Šolta, make a slightly longer blue-water crossing south to Vis Island, docking directly at the waterfront marina in Vis Town. Because Vis served as a closed Yugoslav military base until 1989, it completely escaped modern mass tourism.
Today, it feels like a land lost in time. You can spend your late afternoon wandering through the ancient stone labyrinth of the Kut quarter, exploring secret swimming holes, or sitting at a local konoba (tavern) enjoying fresh fish grilled over wood embers. It is the ultimate place to completely unplug, turn off your phone, and leave modern stress behind.
4. Makarska: Under the Shadow of the Mountains
After leaving the outer islands, set your course back toward the dramatic mainland coast to break up the journey south. Makarska is a lively port tucked into a sprawling crescent bay, protected by a natural horseshoe harbor.
Arriving here by boat is spectacular: the imposing, jagged limestone peaks of the Biokovo Mountain range rise up directly behind the town, creating a picture-perfect backdrop. The waterfront promenade is packed with energy, offering a wide array of excellent local restaurants, bars, and lively stone alleyways to explore for the evening.
5. Mljet Island: The Emerald National Park
Heading further south brings you to Mljet, one of the greenest and most enchanting islands in the entire Adriatic. Over half of the island is protected as a pristine National Park, largely covered in dense pine forests.
Most sailors drop anchor or moor at the quiet village of Pomena. From there, you can easily walk or rent a bicycle to explore the island’s famous interconnected saltwater lakes. Local legend says that Odysseus lived on Mljet for seven years during his epic journey, and you can even take a dinghy out to visit the dramatic Odysseus Cave along the rocky southern coast.
6. Dubrovnik: The Grand Finale
Just a few hours of sailing from the quiet forests of Mljet, the world-famous walled city of Dubrovnik appears on the horizon. This iconic stronghold is the absolute perfect place to finish your sailing tour of Croatia.
Its soaring medieval stone walls and Baroque architecture will look instantly familiar to Games of Thrones fans. Tie up at the ACI Marina and spend your final evening walking the smooth marble stones of the Stradun, taking a cable car up Mount Srđ for a panoramic view, or catching one of the city’s famous summer music festivals.
The Practical Side: How to Rent a Boat
The natural beauty and architectural charm of the Dalmatian coast make it incredibly safe and accessible to navigate. Because a sailing holiday in Croatia is immensely popular, the infrastructure here is world-class, making it very easy to secure the perfect charter:
- Bareboat Charter: If you hold a valid skipper’s license and a VHF radio certificate, you can rent a sailboat or catamaran to pilot entirely on your own.
- Skippered Charter: If you don’t know how to sail, you can easily hire a professional local skipper. They handle all the navigation, docking, and safety, while tailoring the daily route to the local wind patterns.
- All-Inclusive Crewed Cabin: For a total digital detox, you can simply book a private cabin on a shared catamaran, where a skipper handles the sails and an on-board hostess prepares fresh breakfasts and lunches daily.
Don’t miss the chance to see one of the prettiest, most historic coastlines in Europe in a highly flexible, deeply restorative way.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
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