Even though it’s very common to spend the holiday on the boat for a week or more, now it's also possible to learn how to sail at one of the sailing schools, transforming your holiday into an unforgettable adventure. On the other hand, if you want to sail and discover the amazing islands, you can charter a boat by your own, or if you are new to sailing, you can rent the boat with the skipper included.

Arriving in Dubrovnik

You can arrive in Croatia by plane at Dubrovnik Airport, being the closest airport to your point of departure, Dubrovnik. You can take a taxi, rent a car or take the bus to the city, with the final stop at Marina Frapa or ACI Marina Dubrovnik.

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

For this itinerary, your starting point will be Marina Frapa, close to Dubrovnik city centre. In this marina, you can find lots of great deals for renting sailing boats, catamarans and even large yachts, depending on your preferences and budget. The marina is well equipped, offering top services.

On this itinerary, prepare to sail around 130 NM, and enjoy some of the most incredible places Europe can offer. Depending on your yacht type, course and pace, the below information may vary.

• Leg 1 – Dubrovnik to Sipan - 15 nautical miles – 2.5 hours
• Leg 2 – Sipan to Orebic - 30 nautical miles – 5 hours
• Leg 3 – Orebic to Korcula - 20 nautical miles – 4 hours
• Leg 4 – Korcula to Lastovo - 10 nautical miles – 2 hours
• Leg 5 – Lastovo to Mljet - 30 nautical miles – 5 hours
• Leg 6 – Mljet to Dubrovnik - 25 nautical miles – 4.5 hours

1. Dubrovnik to Sipan – Leg 1

Sailing to Sipan

In Croatia, you can rent the boat for one week, starting Saturday, and you can be accommodated starting with 14:00. If you arrive earlier, you can provision the boat from one of the supermarkets around the marina. After leaving the marina, set the N-NW course to Sipan at 42°43'37.0"N 17°51'42.3"E.

The trip should take around 2.5 hours, and on your way to Sipan, you will have on your port side the islands Kolocep and Lopud. After reaching and passing Lopud Island, change the course to W and then N-NW to reach Sipanska Luka. There are plenty of safe anchorages around this area to choose from.

Sightseeing in Sipan

The island is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and during the 15th century was the top summer destination for the rich families in Dubrovnik, many of whom built palaces both in Sudurad and Sipan. Sipanska Luka is more a fishing village, however you should not miss the fortified church of the Holy Spirit, build in 1577 and the parish church, where you can admire paintings from the 15th century.  

There are several taverns and restaurants close to the harbour, where you can taste the amazing local dishes. If you prefer to stay at anchor and just enjoy the sea, the amazing landscape surrounding you and a cold drink, you will find lots of anchorages also on the surrounding islands: Jaklijan and Olipa. 

Accomodation when sailing to Sipan

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Hotel Sipan***, in Sipanska Luka, with starting price from 110 € / night or Hotel Bozica Dubrovnik Islands****, in Sudurad,  from 186 € / night.

2. Sipan to Orebic – Leg 2

Sailing to Orebic

This leg has 30 NM and you will reach Orebic in around 5 hours. After breakfast and coffee, raise the anchor and head N-NW, to the Port of Orebic, at 42°58'26.1"N 17°10'27.3"E. If you prefer to stay at anchor, there are many islands and islets between Orebic and Korcula, with bays and coves offering good shelter.

Sightseeing in Orebic

The town is situated in the southwestern part of Peljesan Peninsula, with one of the sunniest climate in Croatia, thanks to its position close to Mount Saint Ilija. Starting with the 18th century, many wealthy Croatians built fine stone villas, which even nowadays are used as private residences. West to Orebic, Viganj is a very popular destination for windsurfing enthusiasts.

If you want to visit the town, we recommend the Maritime Museum, where you can discover interesting archaeological and maritime collections.

• Address: Trg Mimbelli bb 20250 Orebic
• Timetable: Monday – Friday: 7:00 – 14:00

Accomodation when sailing to Orebic

Good accommodation can be found in Orebic, like Aminess Grand Azur Hotel**** with starting price from 206 € / night or Hotel Bellevue**** from 172 € / night.

3. Orebic to Korcula – Leg 3

Sailing to Korcula

This leg will give you the opportunity to visit Korcula City, on the eastern part of Korcula Island, which is only 2 NM away from Orebic, or you can sail to the southern part of the island, which is 20 NM away, and you will reach your destination in about 4 hours. There are lots of opportunities around the island and worth visiting for at least a couple of days.

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 Lastovo – Leg 4

Sailing to Lastovo

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 Lastovo

Lastovo is an island located in the Dalmatian region, north to Korcula. The specificity of Lastovo is the number 46, because there are precisely 46 fields and churches located on the island, and so many islands, islets and rocks in the waters surrounding it. Skrivena Luka is one of the most beautiful bays on the island, and deep enough to provide excellent shelter from wind.

In 2006 it was declared a natural park due to its mystical beauty, emphasized landscape value, dense forests and fertile fields enriched with ponds, high coastal cliffs, terrestrial and underwater caves, amazing sheltered coves, and numerous rare marine and terrestrial species.

The best anchorages around the island, are the following:

• Saplun Bay - anchorage for 12 boats up to 20 meters, located on the north side of the island of Mladina;
• Skrivena luka bay - anchorage for 15 boats;
• Škoj od Zaklopatice - anchorage for 15 boats up to 20 meters in size;
• Vejo Lago Bay - anchorage for 15 boats; 13 boats up to 20 meters; the anchorage is on the north side of the islet of Makarska in the bay of Vejo Lago.

For more details and visiting prices, you can consult the Lastovsko Otocje natural park website.

Accomodation when sailing to Lastovo

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Accomodation Triton**** with starting price from 70 € / night or Hotel Solitudo*** from 104 € / night.

5. Lastovo to Mljet – Leg 5

Sailing to Mljet

This will be quite a long leg, as you will sail about 30 NM to reach Mljet Island. Take a E heading for the north of the island or E-SE for the more southern part of Mljet, and you should reach the island in about 5 hours.

Sightseeing in Mljet

Mljet Island has only around 1.000 inhabitants, so most of the tourists are considering the island a paradise away from Croatia’s bustling tourist trails. With only one major road, Mljet is spread out over a half dozen of small villages, and a lush National Park covering about half the Island, and this is what makes Mljet a place to go to meet locals, discover the amazing local cuisine, spend some time on the wild beaches, on the trails, or at anchor surrounded by picturesque scenery.

If you decide to discover the island, one of the top destinations is Odyseus Cave, approachable both from land and sea. In front of the Odysseus cave there is a rock called Ogiran, and during high tide or during strong southern winds, the rock is completely covered by the sea and could be a great danger to the sailors, so be careful if you approach the cave by sea.  According to the legend, because of that rock, Odysseus was shipwrecked and swam to the cave where he found shelter.

During summer months, around noon, when the sunlight strikes the top of the cave, the sea provides a spectrum of colours, so plan in advance to reach the cave around mid-day.

Accomodation when sailing to Mljet

Good accommodation can be found on the island, like Hotel Odisej*** with starting price from 166 € / night or Apartments Pavlic*** from 80 € / night.

6. Mijet to Dubrovnik – Leg 6

Sailing to Dubrovnik

Returning to Dubrovnik is a 25 NM leg, and you should reach the town in about 4.5 hours. When you get close to Dubrovnik keep an eye on the ferries arriving or departing the ferry terminal of Dubrovnik. Take a E-SE course for Marina Frapa, at 42°39'26.3"N 18°04'56.3"E.

Sightseeing in Dubrovnik

After checking out your boat and if you have some more time before the flight back home, take some time to discover the pearl of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik.

One of top attractions in Dubrovnik are the City Walls, a full hour of discovering the battlements, the amazing panoramas, backed by the Adriatic Sea. Game of Thrones fans will recognise some locations along the City Walls, where many of the series were filmed.

Visit the Old Town, where you will just be amazed by the architecture, and where the romantic alleyways will just open your appetite for exploring the city.

Take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd, from where you can admire some amazing panoramas over the city and the surrounding islands.

Visit Lovrijenac Fort, one of Dubrovnik’s picture-book defensive installations. The Fort earned its place in the city’s folklore during the long fighting period of tussles with the Venetians. The invaders had attempted to build an outpost here as part of their campaign to take the city, but the locals beat them to it.

These are just some of the amazing attractions Dubrovnik can offer, so our advice would be to spend more than a weekend to discover it all.

Accomodation when sailing to Dubrovnik

Good accommodation can be found in the city, like Hotel Dubrovnik Palace***** with starting price from 385 € / night or Hotel Adria**** from 151 € / night.

Capetanos sailing and general recommendations

For an amazing sailing adventure in Dubrovnik, 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 Dubrovnik

These calculations are performed for one-week charter on a 39 feet catamaran in mid-august and crew of 12. The total may differ depending on many factors like boat amenities and construction year, mooring fees, dinner out, etc.

1-week total	9.360 €
4 cabins catamaran	5.600 €
Skipper (optional)	1.250 €
Food	400 €
Water	50 €
Diesel	210 €
Moorings	350 €
Food out	1.500 €