The Croatian Coast has been having a moment for the last decade, and at the moment, it appears to also be the sailing capital of the world. When we started this blog, Croatia and its coastline were one of our first travel destinations. However, after ten years and a lot of buzz, we decided it was time for a return to the famed Adriatic Coastline.
This July, Natasha and I finally made it happen — sailing the Split Explorer Route with Yacht Getaways. From Split to Dubrovnik, this itinerary was a perfect blend of historic towns, stunning islands, and some of the most breathtaking Adriatic waters.
Yacht Getaways took care of the planning, allowing us to focus on enjoying each new stop along the way. It was our first time on a sailing boat, a catamaran to be specific, and it couldn’t have been easier, as all we had to do was show up at the port.
Here’s how the route unfolded, with all the highlights and a few personal tips.
The Sailing Route
Split
Our trip began in Split, a popular hub renowned for its vibrant nightlife, stunning waterfront, and rich history that dates back to Roman times. As the trip departs from the nearby town of Trogir, we decided to arrive two days early to explore.
Trogir itself is a charming little town that would make for a nice base if you’d like avoid the crowds of Split, particularly the large cruise ships that arrive every day.
We spent some time wandering the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and enjoyed some great meals. Split’s lively markets, narrow streets, and seaside make for a nice start to a sail along the coast.
Šolta
A short sail from Split brought us to Šolta, a small island with a calm and authentic vibe. We anchored near Maslinica, enjoying quiet coves and great swimming spots.
Our home for the night was in a secluded cove where we moored along the rocks. After mooring, we were scooped up by a local konoba’s boat and had a delicious meal overlooking the water. A true gem and the perfect introduction to life onboard our catamaran.
Stari Grad
After breakfast on board, we hoisted the sails and made our way to the port of Stari Grad. It’s a small town with a winding waterfront and narrow stone streets. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest towns in Europe, and the history is apparent on every corner.
After hitting a local beach and going for a swim, we washed up and went into town for dinner at a local konoba. Stari Grad is a refreshing change of pace from the crowds of Split or Dubrovnik. We found ourselves alone, strolling through the historic, narrow streets of the old town center. Highly recommend checking the excellent wild boar ragu at Jurim Podrum for dinner.
Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands
From Stari Grad, we sailed around Hvar Island to the Pakleni Islands, which lie just off the coast of Hvar. It was a short sail and left us plenty of time for a swim in a cove just off the coast. After a swim, we went ashore to explore a bit more of the island, but quite honestly, could have just spent our time on board the boat as the bay was so lovely.
After our time exploring the Pakleni Islands, our skipper arranged a water taxi to take us from our catamaran to Hvar Town. We’d been to the town before and it’s well known for its vibrant nightlife, buzzing port, historic town center, castle, and lavender fields. There’s a lot to love about the town, but it also draws in a large crowd.
If you have the energy, the climb up to the Castle is a classic walk and offers an excellent view over the old town. Otherwise, stick to walking the port before finding an incredible meal, which there is no shortage of in Hvar.
Korčula Town
After a quick morning dip, we hoisted anchor and set off for one of our longest sailing days to the town of Korčula. It’s a beautiful medieval town often referred to as “Little Dubrovnik.” It has a real draw and it’s a spot that would be easy to spend a few days enjoying.
After docking the boat in the port, we hopped in a taxi to visit a local winery. Popic Winery is a family-run establishment with some excellent views, wine, and tasting boards of local products. In particular, we loved the pošip wine, which is a famed grape along the Dalmatian Coast.
After tasting some wines, we went back to Korcula to explore and have dinner. The narrow cobblestone streets and ancient city walls made for great wandering. We discovered some cozy restaurants serving local specialties, such as fresh oysters, and enjoyed a visit to a local winery.
Mljet and Mljet National Park
Mljet is a unique stop on the trip and is not visited by many others outside the sailing community. The island’s north is largely a national park that is prized for its dense forests and saltwater lakes. With limited development, the majority of visitors spend their time in the island’s natural bay, which is ideal for boating.
It was a welcome spot to arrive after a long day of sailing. With clear waters, we couldn’t resist taking a dip. The island is best known for being a stopover point to hop on a bike and explore the national park.
The Elaphiti Islands
Our last overnight stop along our route was the Elaphiti Islands. We anchored off the beach on the island of Lopud. The large sandy beach is renowned in the area for its excellent swimming conditions. From the shore, it was an easy walk across the island to the small town that had quiet streets and a charming waterfront.
After getting back to the beach, we were pretty hot, and the idealistic beach was the perfect spot to cool off. After a long swim, we enjoyed our final dinner made by our host, Jess, on board the boat in the calm cove with fantastic company.
Dubrovnik
Our trip ended in Dubrovnik, and we were surprised by how much we enjoyed it. It helps that our arrival to the walled city began with sailing along the city’s historic walls and port before anchoring off the island of Lokrum for one last final swim and lunch on board the ship.
Then came the time for us to say goodbye to our new friends in the port of Dubrovnik and set foot back on land. We suggest staying a day or two after the trip to enjoy the city. We’d expected the old town to be overwhelmed by mass tourism, but with a bit of planning, it was easy to avoid the busiest areas and find quieter streets, viewpoints, and cafes.
Exploring the historic walls and wandering through the surrounding neighborhoods made for a relaxed and enjoyable end to the trip. It made for the perfect wrap to our sailing trip along Croatia’s coast.
Why This Route Works
The Split Explorer route gave us a fantastic balance of history, nature, and coastal charm. We loved starting with the energy of Split and gradually moving south through quieter islands and villages before finishing in the vibrant hub of Dubrovnik.
Yacht Getaways made the logistics simple, from mooring spots to provisioning, and the crew’s local knowledge helped us discover hidden coves and excellent dining spots. They offer two routes, but they’re nearly identical as one goes from Split and the other goes from Dubrovnik. Every route will have a little variation as the skipper will make decisions based on the guests and the weather.
Life On Board The Catamaran
Our catamaran was a great introduction to life on the sea. The catamaran featured a large front deck, rear deck, and galley. There was ample seating across the decks and plenty of comfy spots to relax and read a book while sailing along the Adriatic.
The passenger cabins lie in the bow and stern of the catamaran’s two hulls. When you first get in your cabin, it feels pretty small, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. The beds are designed to provide ample space for a couple, and the cabin features sufficient storage. That said, it’s definitely best to have duffel bags or soft suitcases that can be easily stored in your cabin.
Each cabin features a private bathroom, ensuring you never have to go without a hot shower. They also feature A/C that operates when the boat is docked in ports, which is around half the time along the route. We had the unfortunate timing to catch Croatia amid a heatwave, and still we’re able to sleep on the nights without A/C thanks to the sea breeze.
That said, you spend very little time in your cabin anyway. The majority of time on the boat is spent on the top decks with your fellow passengers. It was an intimate experience, and we had plenty of time to get to know the other couples on board. Much of this time was spent over our breakfasts and lunches, which were spent at the table on the back of the deck.
We felt very fortunate and had a wonderful group that created many great memories. Maybe much of this has to do with the fact that a sailing trip attracts travelers who are more compatible to begin with. Many nice nights and great conversations to be had on a boat while sailing the Dalmatian Coast.
Tips for Sailing the Split Explorer Route
- Book in advance during the summer months.
- Bring some layers for cooler evenings on the water. Although our trip was scorching hot and never needed more than typical beach clothes.
- Sample local food specialties on each island — fresh seafood, olives, wines. We ate a fair amount of fish and even had some wild boar. The food along the route was excellent.
- Allow time to explore on foot; some of the best experiences are wandering old town streets or hiking through parks.
- If you’re new to sailing, don’t worry — the crew is supportive and the boats well-equipped. We had a few rough moments at sea, but nothing that a nap while rocking back and forth couldn’t fix.
- Pack a book or two as you’ll have plenty of time to read while sailing along the coastline.
Final Thoughts
Sailing the full Split Explorer Route with Yacht Getaways was an unforgettable way to experience Croatia. Waking up to new islands and beaches, swimming in the clearest waters, and exploring historic towns made for a trip we’ll always remember. If you want to see Croatia’s coast in a way that’s both adventurous and relaxing, this route is a fantastic choice.
