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A Croatia holiday is an unforgettable experience - especially as an individually designed sailing trip. Sailing between islands, anchoring in crystal clear waters and in front of secluded beaches or going ashore in one of the Mediterranean lively harbours and taking a walk through a historic harbour town: You can experience all this in this special way of travelling, come aboard one of our yachts!
Islands, rocks, sea and the breathtaking beauty of the Kornati National Park. With their secluded bays and many harbours, the approximately 140 islands and rocks invite sailors in particular to discover them, who are interested not only in wind and waves, but also in spectacular landscapes and historical places. It is simply worth anchoring here and experiencing one of the fabulous sunsets. And for a shore excursion, there is a whole range of places with centuries-old old towns.
In contrast to the islands of the Kvarner Bay in Istria, the islets here have cliffs that slope down to the open sea. The highest cliffs reach 82 metres above sea level. This extraordinary and partly untouched island world is under nature protection and enchants its visitors from the first day of their journey.
Besides the Croatian coast, the hinterland also has a lot to offer water sports enthusiasts. The river Krka has made its way through deeply cut canyons.
From Sibenik, you can take a boat through this wild and romantic landscape with its deep gorges to the Skradin marina. From here, there are various providers to book excursion boats to the imposing waterfalls of the Krka National Park.
The mighty masses of water plunge into the depths over several terraces and end in a lake in which it is even possible to bathe. This natural spectacle is always an experience.
Zadar is one of the largest cities in Dalmatia, along with Split, Sibenik and Dubrovnik. The rich cultural heritage of the more than 3000-year history of this historic port city is still reflected today in many sights.
In addition to the treasures from antiquity, the enchanting old town and the Romanesque basilica, the city has not closed itself off to modern times. For a few years now, there has been a new landmark: The sea organ at the harbour. It produces spherical music through the pressure of the waves.
The interior of the Blue Cave is at its most beautiful between ten and twelve in the morning. This is when the sun is at a favourable angle and the water of the cave is bathed in a fascinating play of colours in different shades of blue through an opening below sea level.
The Blue Grotto, pleasantly cool even in the hot summer, is located on the small island of Bisevo, southwest of Vis. To reach it, it is recommended to anchor with the yacht in Mezuporat Bay, then take a dinghy to the shore and buy tickets. From there, several boats shuttle to the cave. Even if the waiting time should be longer in high season: it's worth it!
After 3 pm, by the way, you can also enter the blue grotto with your own dinghy. By then, however, the luminous natural spectacle is already over.
It is 1400 metres long, 300 metres wide and 90 metres high: the Croatian lighthouse island of Palagruža, a real hideaway in the middle of the Adriatic Sea.
Croatia's westernmost outpost is a green-barren rock with a lighthouse. A mythical hump on the high seas, 126 kilometres away from the Croatian coastal city of Split, but only about 50 kilometres from the nevertheless seemingly unreachable coast of Italy - the peninsula of Monte Gargano, known as the spur of the Italian boot.
Two lighthouse keepers live on Palagruza. In their lighthouse there are two simple and functionally furnished flats. An adventurous holiday destination for people who don't want to hear voices for a while, no cars and the mobile phone only sometimes. Who don't want to be on the road because they simply can't be on the road here. A destination for those who want to be Robinson Crusoe for a change, but with a gas cooker, TV and fridge. On land.
In the land of 1000 islands, as Croatia likes to be called, there is a very special group of islands off the coast of Istria: the Brijuni Islands. They belong to the eight national parks in Croatia and are located northwest of Pula. Brijuni consists of two larger islands, Veli and Mali Brijun, and twelve small islands. It was the holiday residence of Yugoslavia's former head of state Tito, who also received guests here from all over the world.
On the main island there is a safari park with zebras, dromedaries, llamas and elephants. You can explore Brijuni on foot or by bike as well as by electric car or tourist train. Especially recommended are the archaeological sites, from ancient to Venetian times, and of course the hotels at the harbour, which still exude a very special socialist charm.
Small alleys, stony cliffs and the fortress at the top: Omis is a Dalmatian pirate town, just 25 kilometres south of Split. With relaxed cafés and restaurants, a traditional music festival where the regional a capella singing "klapa" is still cultivated.
From Omis there are great opportunities to try out various outdoor activities: from rafting on the river Cetina to climbing and canyoning to fishing and hiking. A small tip for gourmets: the cool restaurant "La Fabbricca" directly on the beach. Fine burgers, delicious tuna tartare and tasty pulpo salad - definitely try it!
Many say it is the most beautiful beach on the Adriatic Sea. Zlatni Rat beach, also called "Golden Horn", is located near Bol on the island of Brac. The golden-coloured fine gravel and the fragrant pine trees naturally attract many bathers, but that is understandable.
The beach extends several hundred metres into the sea and changes its shape into a crescent or a horn depending on the current, wind and water level. The natural beach - of course there are plenty of bars and restaurants here too - is ideal for water sports such as surfing, water skiing or kiting. Diving schools can also be found here. The sea is mostly crystal clear. During the season, the beach is divided into textile and nudist.
The island of Brac is the largest in Dalmatia. It is 40 kilometres long and twelve kilometres wide. Around Bol, pine-forested mountains rise. From Bol, for example, you can reach the 778-metre-high Vidova Gora, the highest island mountain, in a two-hour hike on a marked hiking trail.
Only 7 nautical miles from Trogir and 15 nautical miles from Split lies a real oasis of peace: Drvenik Veli. The small island, which the locals also call the "Golden Island", is still considered an insider tip for those who appreciate seclusion and cosiness. With beautiful beaches, clear water and a lush island interior where - partly on plantations - lemons, pomegranates and olives thrive.
In addition to the beautiful bays called Solinska and Krknjasi, a detour to the church of Sveti Juraj is also recommended. The 18th-century extension with its rosette-decorated, large entrance portal has never been roofed over. The inner courtyard, where birds often chirp, is wonderfully green. Figs, almonds and oranges also thrive between the houses. The islands are perfect for short walking tours.
Along with Saint-Tropez, Portofino, Monaco and the Caribbean Virgin Gorda, the 68-kilometre-long island not only has one of the most enticing harbours in the world, but now also modern hotels, restaurants and clubs. Which is why this paradise in the Croatian Adriatic has been called the "new Ibiza" for a while now. And yet Hvar seems surprisingly relaxed.
With 2724 hours of sunshine per year, the brightest place in Croatia, which the US magazine "Traveller" has even named one of the ten most beautiful islands on our planet, is definitely worth a cruise. If only for the jet set that meets there. Celebrities such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Keira Knightley, Daniel Craig, Wladimir Klitschko or Manuel Neuer spend their summer holidays there, as do less famous billionaires from Russia and China, who live their very own island life on the anchored mega-yachts.
But on land, on the marble streets around the main square Trg Svetog Stjepana, you also come across ordinary holidaymakers with an ice cream in their hand. Restaurants such as Dalmatino, Gariful or Laganini, which can only be reached by boat, are highly praised. .
The Dalmatian city of Sibenik lies in the Adriatic Mediterranean in the heart of Croatia. Every skipper should definitely reserve a day for a shore excursion to discover the medieval town with its old buildings, many churches, monuments and museums.
Sibenik was first mentioned historically in 1066. The old fort still dominates the townscape today. In addition, there is a Mediterranean-style old town. The upper town is reached via a maze of small alleys with historic stone floors and many steps. From here you have a fantastic view. Sibenik is also located in a popular sailing area. From here it is a stone's throw to picturesque bays and beaches, to the national parks, but also to the airports in Split or Zadar.
