The beauty of Croatia’s coastline only enhances your sailing experience and it’s no surprise why the Adriatic Coast today is a hotspot for sailing holidays and charter guests in the summer months.

But if you’re still wondering why Croatia is the best sailing destination in the world, let us remind you.

The climate

The Mediterranean climate is known for its warm, dry summers, attracting tourists to this coastline all summer long. Even better news for sailors is that some of the best islands bring in more sunshine than others, like Croatia’s sunniest island Hvar, which boasts 115 sunny days annually, or 2800 sunshine hours per year! The island of Lastovo is not far behind Hvar, with 2700 hours of sunshine each year, allowing you to enjoy an unclouded sailing holiday with ease. 

1000s of islands

Did you know that Croatia has over 1,000 islands? Well, 1,244 to be exact. Of the 1,244, only 78 are ‘actual’ islands, 525 are islets, and 642 are rocks and reefs. And only 50 are inhabited! Some of Croatia’s islands have transformed into popular tourist resorts, lik Brac, Hvar, and Korcula, while others, like Vis, were closed off to foreign visitors from the end of WWII to the beginning of the Croatian war (1991), maintaining it’s natural purity even after the recent tourism boom. From dense forest and Aleppo pines to vineyards and olive orchards, Croatia’s islands are decorated with nature’s finest gifts, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find better waters to swim in.

Practicality

Not only are Croatia’s islands blissful for sailors, but with over 1,200 of them, they make sailing from one island to the next quite simple. Sailing holiday enthusiasts thus get to explore multiple islands on a week-long tour. Your typical Dalmatian sailing route starting from Split or Trogir can sail you to Solta, Brac, Hvar (and the Pakleni Islands archipelago), Vis, Korcula, and even the Elafiti islands before you make it to Dubrovnik! Croatia’s usually calm sea throws out any worries of rough waters, and the sail time between some of Croatia’s bigger islands takes only an hour! Is there really a better way to holiday? 

History

You cannot miss the vibrant history on Croatian islands as it’ll immerse you from the moment you step on dry land. Hvar, in particular, is unique for sailors. Not only is it the island with the most UNESCO heritage than any other island in the world, but it boasts the oldest public theater in Europe and is home to the 2400-year-old town of Stari Grad! Korcula’s history stems from Illyrian and Greek roots, while Korcula town is supposedly the home of Venetian merchant and explorer, Marco Polo. Vis abounds in WWII history, with Yugoslav Army underground bunkers and tunnels to explore, w hile Brac is home to some of the oldest traces of human habitation in Croatia. Let’s not forget the UNESCO-protected Dioclentian’s Palace in Split, or the even more famous Dubrovnik walls, which have drawn tourists to Croatia for decades! 

Culinary charm

There is a reason the Mediterranean Diet is protected by UNESCO as an "​Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity", and it is not something you have to look hard for when sailing in Croatia. Croatian cuisine generally promotes local ingredients and respects seasonality, and with award-winning olive oil and homemade wine, it’s hard for a meal to ever go wrong. While seafood is king on the coast, with recipes harnessing the fruits of the sea in simple yet bold dishes from stews to tomato-based sauces and, of course, a lot of garlic and olive oil grilled fish, traditional ‘peka’ prepared lunches will have you enjoying the long-standing tradition of roasting meat in Dalmatia. Each meal is crowned with crusty bread to ensure no part of your dish goes to waste, and ancient recipes are given new life thanks to new generations, promising a culinary adventure you won’t soon forget. 

Safe and family-friendly

Croatia has long been applauded as a safe destination, and sailing on the coast is perhaps one of the safest holidays you can have in the country. With violent crime a rarity, travelers should exercise normal precautions when traveling Croatia, only because petty thefts in busier areas are more common with more tourists in tow. The beauty of sailing, however, allows you to bypass the bustle, and you’ll often feel as if you’re the only one around. Thanks to its title as a safe destination, Croatia attracts families on holiday where children can enjoy a number of water activities, adventure parks, and kid-friendly tours! 

Incredible selection of yachts and gulets to choose from

Once you decide to book your sailing holiday, you’ll find that the rest will come with ease, let us help find you the perfect boat for your dream sailing holiday. No matter the sailboat, yacht, group size, or special requirements you may need, you’ll be pleased to find that your wishes are their demand, and their goal is to ensure your Croatia sailing experience goes unmatched. With expert skippers and crew on deck to heighten your holiday at sea, you’ll soon discover why Croatia is the best sailing destination in the world.