Why choose Croatie??
Croatia and its string of islands in the Adriatic Sea is a calm and safe cruising area, where you can sail from island to island. This particularly calm sea in season is ideal for family sailing. Recently opened to nautical tourism, it is a popular destination for yachtsmen, who can be found there in large numbers during the summer months to rent a boat .
One of its strong points are its numerous creeks, which can be found by the dozens in the Zadar or Split basin, on the Dalmatian coast. Whether for lunch or an overnight stay at anchor, you can enjoy a shelter protected from the wind in the heart of a wild cove. Despite the crowds, Croatia offers a topography that will allow you to find some privacy, provided you avoid the most popular places of course.
Where naviguer??
90% of the rental fleet is located in the Zadar or Split basins. On the coast between the two cities, there are numerous rental bases and dozens of departure ports. However, there are four shipping basins in the country.
4 airports serve the Adriatic coast: Split, Dubrovnik, Pula and Zadar, which can be reached in 1 hour from the various ports.
Split and the islands of Hvar, Korcula and Vis
This is the main navigation area, from which the largest number of boats depart. This area is also the most touristy with large islands with numerous port infrastructures. There are large cities with a fairly large population and an important historical dimension.
The coast between Zadar and Sibenik
There are about ten ports on this coast from which we will leave to discover the islands facing them, including the protected Kornati park. In this wilder area, we sail between more than 300 uninhabited islands, whose cliffs at the water's edge and small authentic ports are a real change of scenery.
Istria
This peninsula is the largest in Croatia, whose main city is Pula, located on the seafront and has a particular culture, very much influenced by Italy. The inhabitants define themselves as half Italian, half Croatian.
This culture at the confluence of the Latin and Slavic inspirations of Dalmatia (between Zadar and Dubrovnik) can be found in gastronomy, but also in architecture. This region is particularly popular with Germans and Austrians, but is also the holiday destination of Croatians. If tourism is particularly felt on land, this sailing area is more intimate.
A little further east, the town of Mali Losinj, on the island of Lo?inj, is a mecca for seaside tourism and attracts young Croatians in particular, who come here to party.
From Dubrovnik to Montenegro
This last navigation zone is also the most original. Starting from Dubrovnik in the south - one of the most beautiful cities in the country, the location of the Games of Thrones series - you can sail to Montenegro and discover the Mouths of Kotor, a bay on the west coast of Montenegro. These cliffs and mountains border an inland sea that is well worth the detour. This destination will require customs formalities, but remains a good program for yachtsmen with two weeks of vacation. This discovery by sea will also help to avoid the many tourists ashore.
When partir?et for which durée??
Bases in Croatia are open from April to mid-November. But, as in many places, the best times to sail, or constrained by dates, are June - the longest days of the year - and September - the off-season. Indeed, the weather is beautiful, the temperatures are high and the water warm. Rates are also more accessible.
In July and August, the heat is at its peak. May and October are also good seasons for cruising, with rates defying all competition. An ideal choice for groups of friends or younger people.
In one week you will be able to discover at least one navigation basin, sailing every day from island to island.
The ideal cruise with no time constraints or argent??
The ideal is a 2-week cruise, which will allow you to discover the islands opposite Split, but also the Kornati, further north. These two areas allow you to discover the two facets of Dalmatia. As for the duration, it is ideal to make cultural visits and discover the animation of the first islands, and admire the wild side of the second islands.
The 4 spots incontournables??
Hvar The Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea has a strong historical culture. Here you can visit the fortress and enjoy good food in the many restaurants.
Skradin The Dalmatian Seafarers' Association, located in Dalmatia, offers the possibility of inland navigation. Here you can visit the Krk National Park and its impressive waterfalls.
Konoba Opat is a restaurant located in a cove in the Kornati Park, which can only be reached by sea. This is a special feature that is found in many places in Croatia. The landscapes are sumptuous and you will be able to taste fresh fish. These restaurants provide buoys for the yachtsmen who come to take their meal there. It will even be possible to spend the night there for free in exchange for a dinner on the small wooden pontoon.
The blue caves of Bisevo are located in the small Balun Bay on the islet of Bisevo. Anchoring nearby, one can reach it in good weather and beautiful sea to discover the sunlight entering this 24 m wide cave through an underwater opening.
Monocoque or multicoque??
In Croatia, the fleet is very large, having grown particularly over the last 10 years. There are 2?700 monohulls and 700 catamarans. The choice will therefore depend on the type of yachtsmen, but be aware that there are no sailing constraints, as the draught is particularly large in the Adriatic, even close to the coast.
Example of rates
- Monohull 45 pieds?; 4 cabins / 8 personnes?
- Mi-June: 2500-3000 euros
- Beginning of August: 3000-3500 euros
- October: 1000-1200 euros
- Catamaran 40 pieds?; 4 cabins / 8 personnes?
- Mi-June: 4-5000 euros
- Beginning of August: 5-6000 euros
- October: 1500-2000 euros
What advice can you give to prepare your navigation??
The Adriatic Sea is an extremely easy area to navigate. Here there are no buoys or cardinals and a lot of bottom so you don't have to ask yourself too many questions. When anchored, you anchor very close to the shore and put your boat ashore on a pebble or a mooring bollard, due to the very large draught.
In high season, you will have to think about booking the ports 24 to 48 hours in advance, even if they are large. To do this, you can use the mySea application, which references almost all the boats in the rental fleets, and indicate your own. Fare, place, etc. everything will be calculated directly via the app.
When réserver??
Given the monohull offer, there will always be a boat for the summer, but remember to book at least three months in advance for more comfort. If you wish to leave on a catamaran, you will have to do so earlier, about six months before your departure date.
For cruisers booking for two weeks, the choice of boat is really important, so book as early as possible.
Port or mouillage??
Ports in Croatia are quite expensive, as water tourism has recently developed and the infrastructure is very well equipped. Therefore, favour the wild and beautiful creeks, which are much cheaper, and consider calling at the port for shore visits or bunkering.
Examples of rates
- Monohull 45 feet
- High season (mid-June - mid-September): 90-150 euros
- Low season: 50-100 euros
- Catamaran 40 feet
- High season (mid-June - mid-September) : 150-200 euros
- Low season: 80-120 euros
