Destination guides
Croatia Sailing Destinations
Central and southern Dalmatia fit a Roman city, Venetian island towns, quiet fishing harbours and open-sea islands into a short stretch of coast. These guides cover seven of its best-known places, so you know what each one is like before you step ashore.
Destination guides
How the destinations fit together
Split sits on the mainland and is the main sea gateway to the central Dalmatian islands. Šolta and Brač lie closest to the city, with Hvar to the south of Brač. Vis is the outermost island, across a stretch of open sea. Korčula lies further south-east, opposite the Pelješac peninsula, and Dubrovnik is at the southern end of the coast, well beyond the central islands.
| Destination | Where it is | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Split | Mainland, central Dalmatia | A busy city built into a Roman palace |
| Šolta | West of Brač, close to Split | Quiet villages, olive groves, calm bays |
| Brač | South of Split | Stone villages, Zlatni Rat, the highest island peak |
| Hvar | South of Brač | A lively Venetian town and the Pakleni islands |
| Vis | Outermost central island | Two small towns, clear water, sea caves |
| Korčula | Southern Dalmatia | A walled old town and local white wines |
| Dubrovnik | Far south, mainland | City walls, Lokrum and the Elaphiti islands |
A week at sea covers only part of this map. The places you visit depend on the route, and our guide to routes explains how they differ.
What each guide covers
Every destination guide is written for someone arriving by yacht with a few hours or an evening ashore. Each one covers:
- What the place looks like as you approach from the sea
- A short history, so the old towns make sense when you walk through them
- What you can see and do ashore in a few hours, and the best nearby swims
- The food and wine the place is known for
- How yachts usually berth there: marina, town quay, mooring buoys or anchorage
- Practical notes on summer crowds, payments and walking distances
- How to visit responsibly, including protected areas and seagrass meadows
For the bigger picture on berthing, read our guides to marinas and town quays and anchoring and mooring buoys.
Plan with flexibility
A sailing itinerary is a plan, and the sea has the final say. Strong wind, a big swell or a full harbour can mean your skipper chooses a different bay or town for the night. The common summer winds in Dalmatia each affect the coast differently, and a harbour that is calm in one wind can be uncomfortable in another.
Use these guides to understand the coast and what each place offers. The stops for your week are confirmed with your departure. If a planned stop changes, there is usually a good alternative within a few hours' sail. Our guides to Croatian winds and weather and route changes explain how these decisions are made.
Choose your route
Use the destination guides alongside our guide to routes. Read the guides for the places that interest you most. When you have a departure in mind, check dates and prices and confirm the planned stops for that week.
If you want to read more before you choose, the Sailing in Croatia guide covers planning, life on board and sea conditions.
Keep reading
Tell us your dates, your group size and the islands you would like to see, and we will reply with suitable options and a written quote.