With a fine selection of yachts moored in marinas along the Dalmatian Coast, there is something fit for everyone. The Croatian coastline with its clear seas, gentle summer climate, quaint villages and amazing historic towns is a magnificent sailing area.

Even though it’s very common to spend the holiday on the boat for a week or more, now it's also possible to rent a boat for shorter trips. If you don’t have a skipper license or if you are new to sailing, we advise that almost all boats come with a skipper, so you don’t need to have any previous sailing experience and can enjoy the holiday knowing you are in good hands.

Arriving in Split

You can arrive in Croatia by plane at Split Airport, being the closest airport to your point of departure, Split City. You can take a taxi or rent a car to one of the marinas around Split: ACI Marina Split, Lucica Split or Marina Kastela.

Weather in Croatia

Best time to sail in Croatia, is from April to October, but best of sunshine you will get from June to August. In the summer, temperatures during the day tend to average 25-30 °C. This warmth extends into September with an average of 24-26 °C during the day. Daytime temperatures in May tend to be 5 °C higher than in April, and already averaging the low-to-mid 20s.

Sea temperature during summer is peaking at 25 °C.

Average wind speed in summer is 6.5 knots and mostly the wind will blow from N-NE, but the best season for sailing is from October to May with an average of 10.5 knots.

Planning the itinerary

Prepare for a 7 days spectacular adventure along the Dalmatian Coast, in sunny Croatia. For this itinerary, the starting point is ACI Marina Split, and you will sail more than 160 nautical miles around a very unique landscape, amazing cuisine and magnificent historical places. Depending on your yacht type, course and pace the below information may vary.

• Leg 1 – Split to Vis Island 37 miles – 6.5 hours
• Leg 2 – Vis Island to Vela Luka, Korcula Island – 29 miles – 5 hours
• Leg 3 – Vela Luka to Korcula, Korcula Island – 26 miles – 4.5 hours
• Leg 4 – Korcula to Hvar Island – 35 miles – 6 hours
• Leg 5 – Hvar Island to Brac Island – 21 miles – 4 hours
• Leg 6 – Brac Island to Split – 12 miles – 2 hours

1. Split to Vis Island – Leg 1

Sailing to Vis Island

Usually, you can rent the boat for one week starting Saturday, and can be accommodated starting with 14:00. Sailing to Vis Island it’s a 37 nautical miles trip, so best time to set sail is the next morning.

This first day will give you enough time to get used to the boat and make some provisions. This is important if you plan to stay at anchor for several days.

Next morning, set sail for Vis Island by taking a South course. Marina Vis coordinates are: 43°03'36.1"N 16°11'08.1"E, and you have two options to get here, one is going SW and pass Solta Island on your port side, and second by taking a Southern course between islands Solta and Brac.

Attention: On the channel between the islands is usually heavy traffic, as many ferries are passing through here to reach the surrounding islands.

Sightseeing in Vis Island

Vis Island offers many adventures including secluded turquoise beaches, vast vineyards with some of the best wine testing bars in Croatia and seaside restaurants dishing up the freshest seafood.

The Yugoslavian Navy who excavated and built a labyrinth of underground tunnels, caves, storage facilities and submarine hideouts all over Vis Island in preparation for battle during World War II, making it one of the must-see things while sailing in Vis Island.

Another point on interest would be Stoncica beach, a “tropical paradise” not to be missed on your list. The water is shallow and stretches for more than 25 meters before starting to drop off. We strongly believe that here you will find a relaxing afternoon, enjoying sun, clear water, and of course a cold drink from the beach-bar.

Accomodation when sailing to Vis Island

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Anika Apartament Komiza**** with starting price from 110 € / night or Bella Vista Suites*** from 141 € / night.

There are many restaurants and taverns around so why not stop for a delicious meal and a cold drink: Dida Luka or Mvsevm Vis.

2. Vis Island to Vela Luka, Korcula Island – Leg 2

Sailing to Korcula Island

Sailing from Vis to Korcula Island is an approximately 5 hours trip, 30 NM and the destination port should be Vela Luka city at 42°57'32.5"N 16°42'38.1"E. On your way to Korcula Island you should definitely drop the anchor at Bisevo Island, located SW to Vis, and visit its magical “Blue Cave". If the weather is good, pay a visit to the so-called "Green Cave" on Ravnik Island as well.

Sightseeing in Vela Luka

Once you reach Vela Luka Marina, spend some time at the Vela Luka Cultural Center, and discover the combined archaeological collection and art museum has two Henry Moores, and finds from nearby Vela Spila, inhabited in Neolithic times. Summer art exhibitions frequently feature challenging stuff by contemporary Croatian artists.

• Address: Ulica 26/2, 20270, Korcula
• Timetable:
  Summer from 9:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 23:00 (Mon – Sat)
  Winter from 8:30 – 14:30 (Mon – Fri)
• A ticket: Free

Hidden among olive groves above the town is Vela Spila (The Great Cave), a gaping limestone cavity with a sea-facing entrance and two large holes in its roof, producing a mesmerising play of lights. Inhabited since the Stone Age, the cave is the earliest known home of modern humans on the Adriatic, and has become a major centre for archaeological research in Croatia.

Accomodation when sailing to Vela Luka, Korcula

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Hotel Korkyra**** with starting price from 223 € / night or Holiday Home Vela Luka*** from 214 € / night.

3. Vela Luka to Korcula, Korcula Island – Leg 3

Sailing to Korcula

This leg will give you the opportunity to visit Korcula City, on the eastern part of Korcula Island, located at 42°57'30.6"N 17°08'09.3"E. ACI Marina Korcula offers great amenities and a good opportunity to re-provision your boat. Leaving Vela Luka marina, you have two options to get to Korcula City. One, head North and admire the northern coast of the island and second, head South and enjoy some astonishing landscapes on the Southern part of Korcula Island.

Sightseeing in Korcula City

Korcula Town can be explored by foot in a half a day or less. It’s is quite small which is part of why it is so charming. It has a lot of historical places to visit and one of them for sure is the House of Marco Polo. Many believe that the famous explorer Marco Polo was born in Korcula and even though it’s up for debate, there is still a tourist attraction that you can visit.

• Address: Ulica Depolo, Korcula
• Timetable:
  Summer from 9:00 – 21:00
  Winter from 9:00 – 15:00
• A ticket: Adults 20 kn.

If you want to try a truly unique underwater experience, then you can book a 30- or 45-minutes ride by semi-submarine around the waters of Korcula Old Town! Designed similar to a small boat, with the passenger area just a couple of centimetres under water, the semi-submarine offers an unexpected fun ride where you can observe the underwater world from the safety of your comfortable cabin seat. You can book the trip from Semi Submarine.

Definitely worth getting lost through the stone narrow alleys with vibrant coloured flowers growing over the sides of the old buildings and of course discovering the main restaurants, local shops plus the best views too.

Accomodation when sailing to Korcula City

Good accommodation can be found at Hotel Korkyra**** with starting price from 223 € / night and Port 9 Hotel*** from 175 € / night. While here you should definitely try the gelato at Creperia Sempre Dritto and have dinner at Konoba Nonno.

4. Korcula to Hvar Island – Leg 4

Sailing to Hvar Island

After morning coffee and a last look at the Korcula Old Town, raise the anchor and start the trip to Hvar Island. Head NE between Korcula Island and mainland for about 36 nautical miles, and you should reach Hvar City, located at 43°10'11.0"N 16°26'27.9"E, in about 6 hours. It’s quite a long passage, so be sure to check the weather forecast before departure.

Sightseeing in Hvar Island

Hvar is probably one of the most popular destinations while sailing in Croatia. Many celebrities and five-star luxury visitors are putting Hvar on their Wishlist every year.

On the southwestern part of Hvrac, there is the small archipelago of Pakleni, home to some stunning landscape, with a total of 16 different isles and islets for you to explore. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, the limestone isles are coated in pine forests, with their indented coastline hiding secluded coves and bays as well as breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Sveti Klement is the biggest of the islands in Pakleni, so you will find a large variety of bars and restaurant like Restaurant Marina Palmizana and next to it, Way Point Café.

Looking out imperiously over Hvar from up above, Tvrdava Fortica watched over the town for centuries. Although locals know it as ‘Spanjola’ (the Spanish Fort’) the fortifications were actually built by Venetians in 1278, although earlier versions have stood in the same spot since at least the sixth century. In 1571, the fortress proved its worth when it sheltered and saved the townsfolk from the invading Ottomans, who pillaged and destroyed the town below.

Hvar and the surrounding islands should definitely have you for a longer journey, so check out our article 12 unforgettable things to do in Hvar.

Accomodation when sailing to Hvar Island

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Heritage Hotel Park Hvar**** with starting price from 296 € / night or Agata House Hvar*** from 150 € / night.

5. Hvar Island to Brac Island – Leg 5

Sailing to Brac Island

Raise the sails and take a NW course to the most westerly part of Hvar Island and then change the course to North through Solta and Brac Islands. When you reach the far western part of Brac Island, change again the course to E-NE to reach the town of Supetar, on the northern part of the island (43°23'12.0"N 16°33'21.1"E).

Sightseeing in Brac Island

Before getting to port, or if you want to spend the day at anchor, we advise you to take a hike at Vidova gora, the highest point of all the islands in the Croatian Adriatic, which is a picturesque and signposted walk from Bol on the south coast of the island. Setting out from Donje Podbarje at the north-western edge of the town centre, you can sturdy trek up to the peak of 778 metres, and after three hours, the views will become more and more impressive. From the top you can see Hvar and the Croatian mainland, best observed with a beer from the Buffet Coffee which is a summer-only bar. 

Accomodation when sailing to Brac Island

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Bluesun Holiday Village Velaris*** with starting price from 118 € / night or Villa Midea**** from 123 € / night.

6. Brac Island to Split – Leg 6

Sailing to Split

Being the final leg, it will take around to hours to return to ACI Marina Split, so you should take your time and enjoy a good breakfast aboard your yacht or in one of the restaurants around Supetar. Once leaving the anchorage and heading NW to Split, keep an eye on your port side, as there are many ferries coming to Split.

Sightseeing in Split

After checking out your boat and if you have some more time before the flight back home, take some time and enjoy the town of Split.

The city was founded 1,700 years ago by Diocletian, the Roman emperor. Split's Old Town will amaze you with a number of impressive sites, including Saint Dominus Cathedral, and Diocletian's Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world. Start in Peristyle Square, taking in the 3,500-year-old sphinxes Diocletian brought back from Egypt before exploring the 4th-century complex. From there, pass through the Iron Gate and into Pjaca Square for astonishing views of the white marble tiles, a Romanesque clock tower with the remains of a medieval sundial, and the 15th-century Town Hall. 

In the evening, take a stroll along Split's seafront to admire the waterfront views before finding the off-beat Restaurant Dioklecijan, with its outdoor terrace built into the walls of Diocletian's Palace, or Restaurant Zrno Soli, right in the marina.

Accomodation when sailing to Split

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Old town Boutique Rooms*** with starting price from 133 € / night or Hotel Park Split***** from 318 € / night.

Capetanos sailing and general recommendations

For an amazing sailing adventure around the Dalmatian Coast, we recommend to plan in advance, consult the charts, weather conditions and choose the most suitable time and boat, according to your sailing skills.

We hope that information in this article will contribute to your decision for your next holiday in Croatia, one of the top destinations in Europe. You will be stunned by the pure beauty of nature, the simplicity of life and the freedom you feel on the sea. Remember also to read about the tips for a perfect vacation. 

Sailing bugdet calculator / rent boat calculator Dalmatian Coast

These calculations are performed for one-week charter on a 38 feet sailing boat in mid-august and crew of 8. The total may differ depending on many factors like boat amenities and construction year, mooring fees, dinner out, etc.

1-week total	5.260 €
3 cabins sailing boat	2.900 €
Skipper (optional)	1.050 €
Food	250 €
Water	50 €
Diesel	210 €
Moorings	350 €
Food out	450 €