Typical Day on a Sailing Week

Mornings on the Adriatic are usually calm, and the water is at its clearest before other yachts start moving. Many guests begin with a swim off the back of the yacht (where the skipper says it is safe) or a walk along the quay while the town wakes up.

Breakfast is normally in the cockpit: coffee, fruit, yoghurt, eggs and bread. If you spent the night in a harbour, someone often walks to the nearest bakery (pekara) for fresh bread or a slice of burek. In a marina, this is also the time for a long shower in the shore facilities.

Around mid-morning the skipper gathers everyone for a short briefing. Expect to hear the forecast, the destination, roughly how long the passage will take and where you might stop for lunch.

Then the yacht gets ready to leave: hatches closed, loose items stowed, shore power and water hoses disconnected. Guests who want to help can handle fenders and lines. Everyone else finds a seat out of the way until the yacht is clear of the harbour.

In settled summer weather the maestral, a north-westerly sea breeze, often fills in from late morning and builds through the afternoon. That makes the middle of the day the best time to sail. On light-wind days the yacht may motor or motor-sail instead.

You can take the helm, help trim the sails, or simply read, sleep and watch the islands go by. The sun is strong on the water even when the breeze feels cool, so keep sunscreen, a hat and water to hand. Read more about Croatia's summer winds and staying comfortable in the heat.

Many days include a stop in a sheltered bay. The skipper drops anchor or picks up a mooring buoy, the swim ladder goes down and the afternoon slows right down. People swim, snorkel over the rocks or just lie on deck.

Lunch is usually simple and eaten on board: salads, bread, cheese, pršut and fruit. Some bays have a small konoba ashore, reachable by dinghy. A few anchorages sit inside national or nature parks, where an entry fee applies, explained in the guide to park fees.

Yachts usually head for the night's harbour in the mid to late afternoon. In July and August, berths in popular towns fill early, so skippers often aim to arrive before the evening rush.

Where you stay shapes the evening:

• Marina: water, shore power, toilets and showers, a short walk to town.
• Town quay: moored stern-to right in the centre of town, often with water and power available.
• Mooring buoy: a quieter night in a bay, with the dinghy as your link to shore.

The guides to marinas and town quays and anchoring and mooring buoys explain each in more detail.

Evenings start slowly: a shower, a drink in the cockpit as the light softens, then a walk into town. Dinner in Dalmatia is late, often from 20:00 onwards, in a konoba or a restaurant on the waterfront. Our guide to Croatian food to try by the sea covers what to order.

Some nights end early with a stroll through the old town. Others carry on in a bar or a beach club. When you come back on board, keep the noise down: the next yacht is often only a metre away. The house rules on board cover the basics.

Everything above is an example. A strong bura or jugo, a summer thunderstorm or a busy harbour can change the plan at short notice. The skipper might choose a shorter hop, a different island, or a day in port to explore on foot or by scooter. Safety and comfort come first, and a skipper's weather call is final. See how weather changes routes.