Why you should set sail around Croatia

Thanks to its sun-kissed mainland and hundreds of exciting islands, a boating holiday is the perfect way to explore this Adriatic gem

(Ivo Biocina)

With its balmy Mediterranean climate, rugged mountains and deep blue sea, Croatia is perfect for an outdoor holiday. Whether you want to sunbathe on pebble beaches, pedal along rural cycling trails, or tour archaeological sites, Croatia is definitely “in” — the new European destination everyone wants to experience.

But if you really want to taste its magic, there’s no better way to explore the blissful islands of the Adriatic than by sailing boat.

Sailing gives you the freedom to plan your own itinerary (and change it at whim), cruising down the 1,800km of sun-kissed mainland coast, weaving between more than 1,000 scattered islands, islets and reefs, to tune in to nature and harmonise with the elements. Come sunset, moor up in a centuries-old harbour town and dine out, or drop anchor in a secluded bay and eat aboard below a star-lit sky.

If you haven’t sailed before, don’t worry. The east Adriatic is relatively sheltered from the gusty winds that whirl across other parts of the Mediterranean. Here the islands run parallel to the mainland coast and are close together, so land is always in sight, and you’ll rarely be on the open sea for more than an hour or two between ports.

To book a sailing holiday, it’s best to go through a charter company. They’ll find a boat to suit your needs, depending on dates, port of departure and number of people.

Most charter boats for one week (Saturday to Saturday) and offer three options: bareboat, skippered or flotilla. Bareboat means you rent just the boat and sail independently — but someone aboard must have a sailing licence. If you have no or little sailing experience, you’ll need a skipper — charter companies supply qualified local skippers who understand the region’s weather conditions, know the secret pebble coves and waterside eateries, and speak good English. They’ll also teach you the ropes, if you wish.

The third option, flotilla sailing, entails a fleet of yachts, led by an expert sailor, with crews of mixed ability. This option is ideal for young couples or single travellers.

For more information go to croatia.hr

*This content was commissioned and approved by the Croatian National Tourist Board