Pula
round-trip.
Pula catamaran charter: sailing routes via Medulin, Unije, Vele Srakane & Martinšćica — hidden coves and Istria’s coastal islands.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Pula → Medulin
Depart Pula, passing the ancient Roman Arena as its Istrian stone glows in the afternoon sun. A short six-nautical-mile passage leads south to the sheltered Medulin Bay, offering a gentle introduction to the charter. Drop anchor in clear, pine-fringed waters, swim before sunset, and enjoy fresh local seafood ashore.
Distance
5 NM
Sailing
~1h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Best season
May – early October (peak Jun & Sep)
Duration
7 days · Sat – Sat
Departure
Pula
Sailing area
Istria
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who've actually run this passage.
Pula → Medulin
Cast off from Pula mid-afternoon, setting a course south from the city's impressive Roman heritage. The iconic Pula Arena, its colossal limestone arches catching the amber light, provides a memorable backdrop as you clear the harbour. The six-nautical-mile run to Medulin Bay is a gentle warm-up, allowing crew to settle into the rhythm of the Adriatic. Medulin Bay, a broad and protected expanse, offers ample space for anchoring in depths of four to seven metres over sand and mud, providing excellent holding even against an evening maestral. The bay's eastern side is fringed with Aleppo pines, their resinous scent carried on the breeze, inviting a first swim in the calm, clear waters. Dinghy ashore to the village of Medulin, a traditional fishing port. Konoba Kaminada, perched near the waterfront, is known for its Istrian brodetto and grilled calamari, best enjoyed as the sun dips towards the horizon.
Things to do
Photograph the Pula Arena from the water as you depart
Swim and snorkel in the clear waters of Medulin Bay
Enjoy fresh Istrian brodetto at Konoba Kaminada
Stroll the Medulin waterfront at dusk
Mooring tip
Anchor in Medulin Bay's eastern side in 4-7m sand and mud; holding is excellent. No marina or buoys here; provision in Pula.
Medulin → Unije
Set a course northwest from Medulin for the approximately 25-nautical-mile passage to Unije, an island celebrated for its tranquil, car-free existence in the Kvarner Gulf. This open-water leg often offers a steady maestral, providing excellent sailing conditions as you leave the Istrian coast behind. Aim for Maracol Bay on Unije's eastern side, a rare sandy expanse on a coast predominantly of pebble, offering superb holding in 5-8 metres of sand. The clear, shallow water here is ideal for a post-passage swim, or for exploring secluded coves by paddleboard. Later, take the dinghy to Unije village, a charming cluster of stone houses where the only sounds are cicadas and the distant bleating of sheep. Enjoy a traditional lamb peka at a local konoba like Konoba Unije, slow-cooked for hours under an iron bell, accompanied by the fragrant scent of wild rosemary carried on the evening breeze. The absence of cars since 2019 lends a timeless quality to the island, making it a perfect retreat.
Things to do
Swim and snorkel in the clear waters of Maracol Bay
Explore Unije's secluded coves by paddleboard or kayak
Dine on traditional lamb peka at Konoba Unije
Wander the car-free lanes of Unije village
Mooring tip
Maracol Bay offers excellent holding in 5-8 m of sand; it is well-protected from maestral but open to southerlies. The small village harbour has limited space.
Unije → Vele Srakane
Depart Unije for a brief five-nautical-mile reach south to Vele Srakane, a tranquil island known for its profound quietude and unspoiled natural beauty. This small, car-free haven, home to only a handful of permanent residents, offers an immediate sense of escape. Anchor in the protected bay on the island's eastern side, where the water's clarity reveals a seabed of sand and fine gravel at six to ten metres, providing excellent holding. Spend the afternoon exploring the island's gentle hiking paths, meandering through ancient olive groves that have stood for centuries, their gnarled branches offering dappled shade and the scent of wild herbs. The air is often filled with the rhythmic hum of cicadas at dusk. For dinner, the modest Konoba Srakane serves freshly caught fish and local wine, a genuine taste of island life beneath a canopy of stars, a quiet counterpoint to the week's more bustling stops.
Things to do
Snorkel the clear waters of Vele Srakane's eastern bay
Walk ancient paths through the island's olive groves
Dine on fresh, simply prepared fish at Konoba Srakane
Spot rare seabirds along the quiet coastline
Mooring tip
Anchor in 6-10 m sand and gravel on Vele Srakane's eastern side; holding is excellent and protection from maestral good.
Vele Srakane → Martinšćica (Cres)
A 15-nautical-mile reach northwest from Vele Srakane brings the catamaran to Martinšćica, a serene fishing village nestled on Cres’s western coast. This unhurried passage offers views of the rugged coastline before entering the sheltered harbour. Moor stern-to the stone quay, where depths are reliable and the village's quiet charm immediately envelops you. Spend the afternoon hiking through the ancient Tramuntana Forest, a protected area known for its venerable oak trees and as a nesting ground for the endangered griffon vulture; keep an eye skyward for these majestic birds. As dusk settles, the scent of pine resin mixes with woodsmoke from Konoba Bukaleta, renowned for its slow-roasted Cres lamb, seasoned with wild island herbs and cooked traditionally under a peka. This evening offers a genuine taste of island life, far removed from the busier Adriatic hubs.
Things to do
Hike the Tramuntana Forest trails, observe griffon vultures
Savour slow-roasted Cres lamb at Konoba Bukaleta
Stroll Martinšćica’s quiet stone streets and waterfront
Swim in the clear waters of Martinšćica Bay
Mooring tip
Martinšćica offers stern-to mooring at the town quay; depths are 2.5-4m. Good shelter from maestral, but open to strong southerlies.
Martinšćica → Cres Town
Depart Martinšćica for a leisurely fourteen-nautical-mile reach north along the island's eastern coast, arriving at the historic harbour of Cres Town. This passage often offers consistent maestral breezes, making for a pleasant sail as the limestone cliffs give way to the town's distinctive Venetian architecture. Secure a berth at ACI Marina Cres, where stern-to mooring with lazy lines is standard, often requiring advance booking in high season. Once ashore, explore the labyrinthine cobblestone alleys that wind past Renaissance palaces and the iconic 16th-century clock tower, offering expansive vistas across the Kvarner Gulf. For an afternoon dip, Slatina Beach, just south of the town, provides clear waters and pebble shores. As dusk settles, the air fills with the scent of pine and salt, inviting a stroll along the Riva, perhaps culminating in fresh-caught fish grilled over olive-wood embers at Konoba Riva, observing local fishermen mending nets as the harbour lights begin to twinkle.
Things to do
Explore Cres Town's Venetian Old Town and narrow cobblestone alleys
Climb the 16th-century clock tower for panoramic Kvarner Gulf views
Swim and relax at the clear waters of Slatina Beach
Dine on fresh seafood at a harbourside konoba like Konoba Riva
Mooring tip
ACI Marina Cres offers stern-to mooring with lazy lines; booking ahead is advisable, especially for catamarans. Fuel pier available.
Cres → Rabac
Depart Cres for an eighteen-nautical-mile passage southeast, crossing the Kvarnerić to Rabac, often lauded as the 'Pearl of Kvarner'. This sheltered bay on the Istrian coast offers excellent protection, particularly from the maestral. Approach the municipal harbour for stern-to mooring, or drop anchor in 6-8 metres of sand and gravel in the main bay, ensuring good holding. Once settled, take the dinghy ashore to explore the scenic Lungomare promenade, a car-free path winding along the coastline, fringed by pines and crystal-clear coves. For dinner, Konoba Riva, situated right on the waterfront, is renowned for its Kvarner scampi buzara, prepared with local olive oil and garlic. The scent of pine resin and the distant sound of cicadas at dusk create a tranquil atmosphere, a fitting end to a day of coastal exploration before a potential early start for the Istrian interior.
Things to do
Stroll the Lungomare promenade, enjoying coastal views
Dine at Konoba Riva for authentic Kvarner scampi buzara
Swim and snorkel in the clear waters of Rabac Bay
Explore the car-free paths winding through pine forests
Mooring tip
Rabac municipal harbour offers stern-to mooring; anchoring in 6-8 m sand/gravel in the main bay provides good holding.
Rabac → Pula
The final leg of the journey begins with a relaxed eight-nautical-mile sail south from Rabac, following the eastern Istrian coast to the sheltered haven of Trget. This unassuming fishing village, nestled within a deep cove, offers a serene morning stop, where pastel-coloured homes cluster around a small, active harbour. Enjoy an espresso at a waterside café, perhaps under the shade of a fig tree, before setting sail for the twelve-nautical-mile return passage northwest to Pula. The maestral often provides a pleasant beam reach for this final run, guiding the catamaran past the historic Brijuni Islands. Upon arrival in Pula, berth at ACI Marina Pula, where stern-to mooring is standard, and the fuel dock is conveniently located. After disembarkation, a final evening stroll to the magnificent Pula Arena, its Roman limestone glowing under the night sky, offers a fitting farewell to the Croatian coast, a memory to savour until your next Adriatic return.
Things to do
Morning coffee and stroll in the charming fishing village of Trget
Sail past the protected Brijuni Islands archipelago
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the Pula Arena, at sunset
Enjoy a farewell dinner at a konoba in Pula's old town
Mooring tip
ACI Marina Pula offers stern-to mooring with lazy lines; book ahead in high season. Fuel dock available upon entry.
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