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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Croatia with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Croatia with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN CROATIA
DISCOVER THE DAZZLING DALMATIAN COAST
Croatia now has distinctive bragging rights among the sailing community. It’s been deemed the hottest destination in all of the Mediterranean for yachting. With an attractive coastline speckled with hundreds of islands, it’s the perfect place for a yacht charter. Small ports and well-appointed marinas await, plus the Croatian authorities are encouraging more development, crafting scores more marinas and repair yards plus creating more space for visiting yachts. That means you’ll find plenty of charter companies with the kind of boats you want to sail on from catamarans and monohulls to big yachts and beyond.
With a rich and fascinating history, Croatia is a melding of Balkan, Latin, and Slavic cultures. You’ll find in from your yacht charter just across the Adriatic Sea for Italy where Dubrovnik sits at the same latitude with Rome. Hungary borders it to the north and Slovenia in the northwest. In the southeast, there’s Montenegro, while Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the center of Croatia’s distinctive horseshoe shape, allowing you to discover all these incredible lands on your sailing excursion.
Beaches and cliffs alternate with deep woodsy islands brimming with cypress and pine, giving way to citrus plantations in brilliant hues as you move along in your yacht charter by the Dalmatian Coast. Plenty of coves and bays make it even more ideal for cruising. In Croatia’s portion of this splendid coast, the border of Montenegro and the island of Rab can be found in the northwest.
The Dalmatian Coast has a very convenient location in central European countries. Because of this, peak summer months like July and August see busy ports, bays, and marinas. To avoid crowds, sail in earlier in the season like in April or later, in October.
Don’t be put off though as the selection of places to anchor up and marinas are plentiful. The main attraction of Croatia is that it has an incredible variety of things to offer with scenic harbors, offshore islands, and even medieval ports like Korcula. This walled village dates back to the 15th century and is supposedly where Marco Polo was born! Hvar, both an island and a town, is very popular for those seeking a beach-filled vacation. It is also where the first public theatre in Europe made its mark, established in 1612. Split is a harbor lined with palm trees and has ruins from Roman times. The list goes on!
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BEST TIME TO VISIT CROATIA
The typical Mediterranean climate makes for pleasant holidays any time of year though, for the best sailing, early summer in May and June boasts the best winds from the south and southeast. Mornings are a calm experience while afternoons bring winds of 15 to 20 knots, ideal for yachting. In July and August, conditions are calming, which is fine if you like motoring. Summer temperatures range from 79°F (26°C) to 86°F (30°C) while the seawater lingers at 77°F (25°C).
April and October are the best time for a stay in Croatia on the coast. The temperatures in summer can get up to 100°F (38°C) while the sea remains pleasant at 79°F (26°C). During July and August, the high season, there are many diverse activities as well as peaceful escapes. March brings the glorious spring sun with a little sprinkle of rain. In September and October, it’s a more relaxing and quiet time. The beaches aren’t very crowded during this time, and the temperatures are delightful. If sailing to Croatia on your yacht charter in winter, pack warm clothes to shield you from the winds.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: APRIL & SEPTEMBER
TIME ZONE: GMT + 1
LANGUAGE: CROATIAN.
CURRENCY: KUNA (HRK)
REASONS TO VISIT
EASY TO REACH
THE BEACHES
DUBROVNIK
CLIMATE
NATIONAL PARKS
SAILING
GETTING TO CROATIA
Many direct flights from European cities to Croatia are available all year. Seasonal routes and charters are added in the summer though to make it easier to get to. Croatia is accessible by plane, train, bus, car, or ferry and how you get there really depends on where you’re coming from and how close it is to Croatia.
There are seven airports in Croatia that handle international flights but only Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, the three most significant, do it year-round. Croatia Airlines is the country’s national carrier, under the Star Alliance umbrella. Brač Airport only runs from late May until September with charter flights as the only international services. At Dubrovnik Airport, Croatia Airlines and British Airways offer flights year-round. Many other airlines add flights during tourist season. Pula Airport only offers international flights in the summer while Rijeka Airport on Krk only offers seasonal flights from April to October. Split Airport presents flights from Croatia Airlines, Germanwings and Lufthansa CityLine all year with more in the summer. Zadar Airport only offers international flights during tourist season, and Zagreb Airport, the main hub for airlines in Croatia flies with various airlines all year to and from destinations throughout Europe and the Middle East.
WHERE TO STAY IN CROATIA
As the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic,’ there are many people always looking for a place to stay in Croatia. Fortunately, you’ll be spoiled for choice from luxury, romantic, family getaways, budget, and more. What you choose depends on the experience you’re hoping to have with your yacht charter. Choose hotels, B&Bs, villas, guesthouses, apartments, and even camping, all with luxurious or essential for whatever you need.
If you’re planning your yacht charter to Croatia in the middle of summer, be sure you book your accommodations well in advance, so you don’t miss out on securing the place you want. Last-minute pricing can also be very expensive so get your yacht charter booked and your land accommodations too before they fill up!
WINING AND DINING IN CROATIA
Croatian foods use fish, shellfish, plenty of fresh vegetables, and olive oil. Most commonly, fish like dog’s tooth, grouper, gilthead, sardines, sea bass, and mackerel dominate the dishes. Cuttlefish, squid, lobster, octopus, mussels, shrimp, and oyster are typical seafood offerings. You’ll find them all in grilled, stewed, or risotto preparations.
Additionally, the local smoked ham and the lamb are also revered. Some of the most interesting local dishes should be on your radar, though some are for more adventurous eaters, like vitalec, which is lamb’s offal in lamb gut that is spike roasted.
In freshwater regions like the Neretva Valley, Trilj, and the Cetina Basin, eel, frog, and river crab stand out on the menu. Dubrovnik and Pag have some amazing sheep’s milk cheeses. Pag has Paski-Sir, hard, and very distinctive. It’s rubbed with olive oil before maturing plus the sheep the milk comes from eating wild herbs like sage which gives it an incredible flavor.
Desserts on the Dalmatian Coast are lovely too. They usually include almonds, honey, eggs, dried figs, raisins, and local fruits. Orehnjaca is a sweet bread with poppy seeds or walnuts while Palacinke is just a fancy word for pancakes, served with chocolate or jam. Fill up your cup with Dalmatian wines like Babic from Primosten, Postup and Dingac from the Peljesac Peninsula, and of course Plancic from Hvar. Brandies and liquors made locally are also worth a taste. Get some to take back with you on your yacht charter!
