Which Croatian Islands Are Must-Visits for Sailors?
You want strong routes. You want safe moorings and clean anchor sand. You want simple, local advice. I run weekly turnarounds in ACI Split, D-Marin Kaštela, ACI Šibenik, ACI Zadar, and ACI Dubrovnik. I speak with harbor masters, rangers, and marina staff every season. Use this field guide to build your island plan with confidence.
Quick Answer
- Hvar and Pakleni – short hops, beach clubs, quiet coves nearby.
- Vis and Komiža – open-sea vibe with calm town harbors.
- Brač – Zlatni Rat for photos, Milna for shelter and fuel.
- Šolta – easy bays for first nights and family swims.
- Korčula – storybook Old Town with steady channel breeze.
- Mljet – lakes, moorings, and bike paths inside a park zone.
- Lastovo – remote feel, dark skies, quiet anchorages.
- Kornati and Telašćica – park moorings and moon-like ridgelines.
- Dugi Otok with Sakarun – sand shelf and clear turquoise water.
- Rab, Cres, Lošinj – northern flavor for longer itineraries.
For a broad pricing and options primer, start with Croatia catamaran charters.
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How To Choose A Start Base
Split, Trogir, and Kaštela give the fastest reach to Hvar, Vis, Brač, and Šolta. Šibenik sits on a river with calm shelter and a quick run to Kornati. Zadar places Sakarun and Telašćica within day range. Dubrovnik favors Elaphiti and Mljet with Korčula a day north.
Pick layouts and stability features with this selector: How to choose the right catamaran.
Weather And Season Overview
Three winds drive most choices.
- Maestral from the northwest. Builds late morning. Typical 10–18 knots.
- Bura from the northeast. Gusty with short chop near gaps.
- Jugo from the southeast. Longer period and rolling swell.
Sea and air by month help you set comfort goals.
- April: air 15–20C, sea 14–16C.
- May: air 18–24C, sea 16–19C.
- June: air 22–28C, sea 20–23C.
- July–August: air 26–33C, sea 24–27C.
- September: air 22–28C, sea 23–25C.
- October: air 17–23C, sea 19–22C.
Month-by-month advice sits here: Best time to charter in Croatia. Daily rhythm for Central Dalmatia appears in Weather in Split area.
Hvar And Pakleni Islands
Why sailors rank it high
Short legs. ACI Palmižana moorings. Fast tender runs to Hvar Town.
Approach notes
From Šolta or Brač you run a western or northern line with shelter behind Hvar’s ridge once past Šolta’s tip. Watch ferries near Stari Grad channel.
Berths and moorings
- ACI Palmižana on Sveti Klement offers lazy lines and strong staff.
- Restaurant buoys dot Taršče, Vlaka, and Ždrilca.
- Day anchor pockets sit on sand with weed patches near the edges.
Crowd pattern
Arrive by 14:00 in July and August. Depart by 09:30 to ride the morning lull. For Split flavor and day ideas, scan Split catamaran charters.
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Vis, Komiža, And Biševo Blue Cave
Why it pulls sailors
Open-sea feel and clear water. Two towns on opposite sides for wind shifts.
Approach notes
From Hvar or Brač aim for the northeast tip of Vis, then slide south to Vis Town, or run the west side toward Komiža. Blue Cave sits on Biševo west of Komiža.
Anchorages and moorings
- Vis Town offers stern-to berths and moorings with a short walk to cafes.
- Komiža has a sheltered pocket against high ground.
- Biševo works in low swell only. Morning arrivals reduce crowd stress.
Cave timing
Reach the cove on first boats. Early light paints the inside walls. If swell runs, skip and enjoy a long Komiža lunch.
Brač: Zlatni Rat And Milna
Why it matters
Iconic beach and a safe harbor in one island.
Approach notes
Rounding the point near Zlatni Rat, wind shifts. Stay alert for kite lines and swimmers near the tip.
Moorings and fuel
- Milna gives three marinas with fuel and strong shelter.
- Lučice offers a scenic bay with moorings for quiet nights.
Anchoring rules
Drop on sand only. Keep distance from swim lines. Photos at Zlatni Rat work best before 10:00 and after 17:00.
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Šolta: Maslinica And Šešula
Why families love it
Short hops from Split. Protected coves. Good dining piers.
Approach notes
From Split you cross one channel and tuck in along the northwest coast.
Berths and buoys
- Maslinica has a small marina with a pretty village backdrop.
- Šešula provides restaurant moorings with a narrow entrance that holds calm water in bura.
Korčula Town And Lumbarda
Why it earns a spot
Old walls, strong cuisine, steady breeze in the Korčula Channel.
Approach notes
From Hvar or Mljet ride the afternoon channel wind. Watch line-ferries and local traffic.
Berthing
- City quay berths fill early in peak months.
- Lumbarda offers sand coves and calmer nights for families.
Etiquette
Reduce wake near the Old Town. Mind music after sunset.
Mljet National Park: Pomena And Polače
Why sailors return
Moorings inside a protected park. Lakes, shade, and easy bike rides.
Permits
Buy tickets with mooring fees at kiosks. Rangers check late afternoon. Park notes pair well with Elaphiti route guide for south routes.
Shelter logic
Polače sits inside high ridges with strong lee in most winds. Pomena faces west, so choose nights with calmer seas.
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Lastovo Nature Park: Skrivena Luka And Zaklopatica
Why it stays on shortlists
Remote feel. Night skies. Friendly restaurant piers.
Approach notes
From Korčula or Mljet time a morning start. Pick your bay by wind angle. Fuel at Ubli when open, or plan top-ups in Vela Luka or Korčula.
Berths and moorings
Restaurant piers work with dinner reservations. Depths increase fast near cliffs, so mind scope and bridle tension.
Kornati And Telašćica
Why you go
Ridges and blue water. Mooring fields in a park setting.
Approach notes
Enter from Žut or from the south through Mala Proversa. During bura favor inner channels with high ground to windward.
Permits and buoys
Buy park tickets with mooring rights. Rangers stop by around sunset. Deep planning tips sit in the Kornati route guide. A broader regional primer sits in Šibenik and Kornati route.
Dugi Otok And Sakarun
Why it stands out
Rare sand shelf in Dalmatia. Turquoise water on calm days.
Approach notes
Run along the west side when seas sit low. During bura choose inner channels, then slip outside late morning if comfort holds.
Moorings
Sakarun fields help protect seagrass. For fuel and supplies use Božava or Zadar on either side of the week. A broad north primer appears under Zadar catamaran charters.
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Optional Northern Picks: Rab, Cres, Lošinj
Why include these
Time-rich itineraries gain quiet bays and pine forests. Winds differ from Central Dalmatia. Distances run longer, so best for two-week loops or one-ways.
Sample 7-Day Route From Split
Board Saturday from 17:00 at ACI Split, D-Marin Kaštela, or SCT Trogir. Handover completes by 19:00. Distances are nautical miles with time on water at 6–8 knots.
Day 1. Split to Šešula, Šolta
12 NM. 1.5–2.5 hours. Swim and first dinner on a pier.
Day 2. Šolta to ACI Palmižana, Pakleni
20 NM. 3 hours. Tender to Hvar Town for sunset frames.
Day 3. Pakleni to Vis Town
14 NM. 2–2.5 hours. Shore walk and relaxed quay evening.
Day 4. Vis to Komiža with Blue Cave window
14 NM total with two short hops. 2–3 hours. Adjust to swell and cave timing.
Day 5. Komiža to Lučice, Brač
28 NM. 4–5 hours. Late snorkel and quiet night.
Day 6. Lučice to Milna
6 NM. 1 hour. Fuel top-up, bakery runs, shaded lunch.
Day 7. Milna to Split
14 NM. 2–2.5 hours. Fuel early and return berth by 11:00–12:00.
Sample 7-Day Route From Šibenik Through Kornati
Start at ACI Šibenik. River shelter eases bura days.
Day 1. Šibenik to Skradin
10 NM upriver. Waterfall visit and early night.
Day 2. Skradin to Žut
28 NM. 4–5 hours. Park ticket prep for next nights.
Day 3. Žut to Kornati moorings
10–12 NM. Ridge walks and sunset light.
Day 4. Kornati to Telašćica
8–10 NM. Cliffs and lake visit.
Day 5. Telašćica to Vrgada or Murter
18–22 NM. Quiet cove and dinner ashore.
Day 6. Murter to Zlarin
15 NM. Swim stop then village stroll.
Day 7. Zlarin to Šibenik
6 NM. River calm and fuel.
Route details and park rules sit in Šibenik and Kornati route.
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Sample 7-Day Route From Zadar
Day 1. Zadar to Preko, Ugljan
4 NM. Shake-down and sunset walk.
Day 2. Preko to Veli Rat
25 NM. Lighthouse views and calm water.
Day 3. Veli Rat to Sakarun
6 NM. Sand shelf day with moorings.
Day 4. Sakarun to Telašćica
20 NM. High cliffs and lake swim.
Day 5. Telašćica to Žut
12 NM. Ridge path and stargazing.
Day 6. Žut to Pašman
15 NM. Quiet cove and family swim.
Day 7. Pašman to Zadar
10 NM. Early fuel and city walk.
Use the north primer under Zadar catamaran charters for fuel docks and berths.
Sample 7-Day Route From Dubrovnik
Day 1. ACI Dubrovnik to Koločep
8 NM. Cliff swim and easy night.
Day 2. Koločep to Šunj, Lopud
6 NM. Shallow apron for kids.
Day 3. Lopud to Šipan
10 NM. Dinner ashore on the quay.
Day 4. Šipan to Pomena, Mljet
18 NM. Park ticket at kiosk and lakes by bike.
Day 5. Pomena to Polače
6 NM. Calm bay with high ridges.
Day 6. Polače to Korčula Town
24 NM. Channel breeze and Old Town stroll.
Day 7. Korčula to ACI Dubrovnik
45 NM with an early start or stage through Šipan.
South route flavor appears here: Dubrovnik catamaran charters and the Elaphiti route guide.
Paperwork Snapshot
Bareboat weeks require a recognized skipper license plus a radio card. Originals sit on the nav desk for harbor master checks. Full acceptance lists and timing tips appear in Bareboat requirements in Croatia and the VHF certificate guide.
Skippered and crewed formats remove license pressure for guests. Compare service flow here: Skippered charter options and Crewed catamaran charters.
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Budget Ranges And Running Costs
Prices swing by month, size, layout, and service level. Marinas price by length and beam. Town quays offer value with fewer services. Park moorings include ticket checks. Fuel totals hinge on leg length and air-con use.
Inclusions and extras appear line by line in What is included in the rental agreement. Menu planning help sits in the Provisioning guide. Gratuity customs live here: Tipping in Croatia.
Skippered vs Fully Crewed On Island-Heavy Plans
Skippered weeks suit groups who enjoy dinners ashore and light kitchen duties. Fully crewed weeks give hotel-style service on board with a chef and hostess. Parents relax while crew runs tender moves and table service. Compare both pages above, then match format to your group profile.
Mooring Types And Safety Notes
- Lazy-line marinas at ACI hubs.
- Mooring fields inside parks with ranger checks.
- Restaurant buoys with dinner reservations.
- Sand anchors with plenty of scope and a bridle to center pull.
Brief the team before each approach. Assign roles for lines, fenders, and tender.
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FAQs
Which month gives warm seas with calmer marinas
June and September balance water temps and shorter lines.
Where to hide during bura near Hvar
Stari Grad sits deep and calm. Palmižana works when winds ease.
How far is Split to Vis on a typical day
Around 14 NM from Palmižana to Vis Town. Two to two-and-a-half hours at 6–8 knots.
Do parks require tickets
Yes for Kornati, Telašćica, and Mljet. Rangers check late afternoon.
Are kids safe on buoys
Yes with rules. Lifejackets on deck. No bow trampolines during swell.
Where to fuel near Brač
Milna offers multiple fuel options and strong shelter.
Is Sakarun safe during bura
Choose inner channels and reassess. Use Sakarun when seas relax.
How early should I arrive for Hvar berths
By 14:00 during July and August for the best choice.
Your Next Step
Share dates, headcount, and your favorite islands. I will reply with three live yachts, route sketches, and a clean pricing sheet. Support runs from first call to Friday refuel.
