Top Sailing Itineraries: Croatia
The perfect mix of history, culture, cuisine, and nature, Croatia’s breathtaking coastal archipelago is some of the best sailing the Mediterranean has to offer, and it’s an excellent choice of destination for your yacht charter vacation.
As a testament to the beauty of the region and the popularity of Croatia as a sailing destination, Navigare Yachting has not only one but two charter bases here, one in Trogir (Split) and one in Dubrovnik.
Thanks to our dual locations, we offer the opportunity (if available for the particular boat/week in question) for our charter guests to choose between a regular “round-trip” itinerary or a one-way itinerary. Those who choose a one-way sailing route step onboard in Trogir and disembark in Dubrovnik, and those who choose the round trip itinerary simply return to the same base where they checked in. If you want to learn more about the potential benefits of choosing a one-way itinerary, here is a blog post that dives deeper into it.
Below, we feature both a one-way and a regular round-trip itinerary, so that you may follow or take inspiration from whichever works best for your travel plans. Both have a duration of 7 days since this is our standard minimum charter duration in the Mediterranean.
We hope that these sample itineraries will serve as inspiration when you plan your sailing route, but we also want to remind you that our charter agents as well as our base staff and professional skippers are more than happy to help you with your itinerary planning. You are never alone when you embark on this exciting adventure, we are always here to help.
7 DAYS Trogir to Trogir
Day 1 Saturday: Split to Milna
Our charter base is located at Yacht Club Seget in Trogir which is part of the coastal city of Split. Split has so much to offer and serves as the ideal first “stop” on your sailing journey.
We recommend taking your time here, so you don’t miss all the things this city has to offer. Can you imagine a better start on your vacation than sipping your morning coffee at a seaside cafe and gazing out at the Adriatic Sea?
Split has a rich history and many interesting sites to visit, such as the UNESCO World Heritage marked Palace of Diocletian, museums, and the plazas in the Old City to name a few. Once you have explored the historical part of Split, why not stroll the beautiful promenade by the harbor, known as the Riva? Enjoy the many restaurants and cafes in this area, admire the architecture of the buildings, or relax on one of the sandy beaches just outside of downtown. Here are some more ideas of things to do in Split before or after your sailing charter.
After you check in at our base, at 5.00 pm, board your yacht and set sail towards the first stop on your journey: the village Milna on the west coast of the island called Brač. This quaint Dalmatian village has the perfect location for a gorgeous sunset view and invites visitors to stroll the streets basking in the golden light as the sun settles above the horizon. What a wonderful first night on your Croatian sailing vacation! Enjoy your dinner at a restaurant and perhaps you get to sample some locally grown wine.
Day 2 Sunday: Milna to Hvar
Continue south on your sailing journey to the island Hvar and the city with the same name. Hvar is not popular without reason, and it’s a must-visit on your sailing vacation on the Dalmatian Coast. This city boasts a rich history with beautiful Venetian architecture, such as the St. Stephen Square and the St. Stephen Cathedral, and in the backdrop, a majestic fortress from the 16th century. Hvar is also known for its vibrant nightlife and its many nearby picturesque beaches.
Off the coast, to the east of the City of Hvar are the islets called Paklinski Octoci, which curiously translates to “Hell Islands”. Don’t be fooled by the name though; the Paklinski islands are as beautiful as they are peaceful and it’s the perfect place to get a break from the hustle and bustle of Hvar. Take some time to explore the hidden coves and pristine beaches, swim in the azure waters, and simply relax.
Day 3 Monday: Hvar to Šćedro to Korčula
Just south of the island of Hvar is a small island called Šćedro, which is now a natural preserve. The coves here are perfect for anchorage, so you may as well explore nature while you are here. Besides beautiful nature, this island is also home to an abandoned old village with stone buildings that is worth a visit.
About 25 nautical miles south of Hvar is the island Korčula. The coastal city on the eastern tip of the island, also named Korčula, features a coastal line of blue crystal clear water, cobblestone streets, and beautiful old buildings, one of which is possibly the house where Marco Polo was born about 800 years ago. Although some historians believe he was born in Venice, this is likely the place where his family lived.
Day 4 Tuesday: Korčula to Mljet
Many consider your next stop to be one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean: a national park located on the island of Mljet. This stunning park features deep lush forests, hills, and likely some of the most memorable sights of your trip. Two of the most notable areas of the park are the lakes: Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero which simply translates into Small Lake and Big Lake.
Pomena, a small village on the eastern coast of the island Mljet, offers a sheltered anchorage, a quaint harbor, restaurants, shops, and accommodations. It’s a relaxed and quiet place compared to many of the other stops on the itinerary. This could be a nice place to eat dinner either onboard your yacht with the sunset as your backdrop or at one of the restaurants in the village. It’s also a good spot to anchor or dock for the night.
Day 5 Wednesday: Mljet to Lastovo
About 27 nautical miles from Mljet is the island Lastovo. This remote island offers some very nice anchorages perfect to go for a swim, perhaps enjoy some water sports activities, such as snorkeling or kayaking, and just relax in the sun. Not unlike the previous island, the nature here is also very beautiful. Zaklopatica is a coastal village where you may stroll the streets and try the local food at one of the restaurants before settling in for the night onboard your yacht.
Day 6 Thursday: Lastovo to Korčula
As you turn around and head back north, you return once again to Korčula but this time to the city on the west coast of the island, called Vela Luka. As one of the biggest cities on the itinerary, Vela Luka offers a range of things to do and see, as well as food to try and nature to admire.
Surrounded by olive trees, fig trees, pine forests, and the beautiful Adriatic Sea, this city is indeed a hub for nature lovers and great activities include hiking, climbing to the city lookout spot on the hill, or exploring the nearby coves and bays for a peaceful moment or an afternoon filled with swimming and watersports activities.
Day 7 Friday: Korčula to Bobovišća to Trogir
Leave Korčula and sail to Bobovišća, the ancient city on the western side of Brač. It’s located in a bay with perfect anchorage and it’s one of the closest most well-connected cities to Split and the mainland of Croatia. Bobovišća has a rich history and many archeological sites dating back hundreds of years as well as Roman and Byzantine architecture.
Return to the base in Trogir by 6 pm. The checkout is the following day at 9 am. Fill up the fuel tanks either this night or the next morning before checking out.
Checkout Saturday:
Fill up the tanks if you haven’t done so already, disembark and check out. Now you are free to spend a day in Split.
7 DAYS Trogir to Dubrovnik (One-way itinerary)
Day 1 Saturday: Trogir to Šolta
Our charter base is located at Yacht Club Seget in Trogir which is part of the coastal city of Split. Split has so much to offer and serves as the ideal first “stop” on your sailing journey.
We recommend taking your time here, so you don’t miss all the things this city has to offer. Can you imagine a better start on your vacation than sipping your morning coffee at a seaside cafe and gazing out at the Adriatic Sea?
Split has a rich history and many interesting sites to visit, such as the UNESCO World Heritage marked Palace of Diocletian, museums, and the plazas in the Old City to name a few. Once you have explored the historical part of Split, why not stroll the beautiful promenade by the harbor, known as the Riva? Enjoy the many restaurants and cafes in this area, admire the architecture of the buildings, or relax on one of the sandy beaches just outside of downtown. Here are some more ideas of things to do in Split before or after your sailing charter.
After you check in at our base at 5.00 pm, board your yacht and set sail towards the first stop on your journey: the city of Maslinica on the island of Šolta. Nestled between pine forests and secluded beaches with crystal clear water, Maslinica has a lot of nature to explore and something to offer for every type of visitor: there are beaches, restaurants, nightlife, historical buildings, and opportunities to do water activities, or go snorkeling.
Day 2 Sunday: Šolta to Hvar
The inevitable stop on your sailing itinerary is the coastal city of Hvar on the island with the same name. It’s a very popular destination among tourists and locals alike and it’s clear to see why. People from all over the world come here to walk the cobbled streets framed with stone buildings in the Old Town, relax on one of the secluded beaches, taste the delicious local food and wine, and enjoy arguably some of the best nightlife in Croatia. Hvar also has a beautiful lookout point on the Hvar Island Hilltop.
Day 3 Monday: Hvar to Vis
From Hvar, sail to the island of Vis. While it is just 17 nautical miles southwest of Hvar, it's the furthest Dalmatian island from the Croatia mainland, and it does have a different feel to it. It’s a bit more secluded, not as “touristy” but still has that welcoming and relaxing vibe.
Thanks to its many caves, coves, and beaches, Vis is a top-rated destination among sailors. Speaking of caves, we highly recommend a trip to the Blue Cave on the eastern coast of the nearby island called Biševo. The Blue Cave is a magical natural phenomenon where the pool of water inside seems to be glowing blue due to the sunlight reflecting off the white limestone seabed.
Day 4 Tuesday: Vis to Lastovo
The next morning, a sail in the southeast direction will take you to the island of Lastovo and the small city of Pasadu, where you can step ashore and enjoy a peaceful moment or explore beaches and coves. Another option is the bay to the west of Pasadu, Jurijeva Luka where you can swim in the crystal clear blue waters and take in the beautiful views.
Day 5 Wednesday: Lastovo to Korčula
Continue on your sailing journey by traveling northeast to the ancient town of Korčula on the island of the same name. Korčula offers a perfect blend of old and new, with an impressive old town, surrounded by a fairytale-like fort, and vibrant nightlife. In the Old Town of Korčula, there is a building believed by some to be the birthplace of Marco Polo or at least the house where his family lived. Besides a fascinating history dating back over a thousand years, Korčula is also known for local wines and there are plenty of beaches and beautiful nature as well.
Day 6 Thursday: Korčula to Mljet
Many consider your next stop to be one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean: a national park located on the island of Mljet. This stunning park features deep lush forests, hills, and likely some of the most memorable sights of your trip. Two of the most notable areas of the park are the lakes: Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero which simply translates into Small Lake and Big Lake.
The small town of Polače on the northern coast of Mljet is part of the national park. Here you can get a glimpse of the local way of life, visit an ancient ruin called Rimska palača, which used to be a Roman palace, and savor a seafood meal at a local restaurant.
Day 7 Friday: Mljet to Dubrovnik
We suggest you spend the last day of your sailing charter in the beautiful ancient city of Dubrovnik. It has long been an attractive destination for travelers from all over the world due to its beautiful location overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the glorious summer weather that the Mediterranean is known for. Not to mention, Dubrovnik also draws visitors because of its rich and fascinating history which is on full display thanks to the huge fort walls, as well as the old stone buildings and winding alleys inside them that make up the Old Town. On our blog, you will find more inspiration for things to do in Dubrovnik while you are here.
Saturday: Checkout
The checkout needs to be completed by 9 am on Saturday. Fill up the tanks if you haven’t done so already, disembark and check out. Now you are free to spend even more time in Dubrovnik if you still have some hours, or a few days, to spare.
Since 2001, over 350,000+ charter guests have set sail with Navigare - it’s safe to say that your yachting adventure will be in capable hands. With 12 exotic locations worldwide, the possibilities are endless! Whether you're an experienced sailor or a first-time adventurer, Navigare Yachting opens up a world of exploration, discovery, and sailing that comes with complete peace of mind.