02.02.2025
Author: Alesya Pervushkina, RYA Coastal Skipper, manager at APCharter
Croatia
About the region in brief:
Croatia is a historical region where yachtsmen can admire monuments from many different eras. One of the best preserved cities of the Roman Empire, the legacy of the powerful Venetian Republic and the sites of the former Yugoslavia can all be found here.
Every part of the Croatian coastline has its own yachting ‘pearl’. Biograd na Moru and Zadar in the north of Dalmatia, Split and Trogir in the central part of the coast, and finally Dubrovnik in the south. Unlike in Turkey, in Croatia you will most often stay in marinas with all the necessary services, and pay a mooring fee based on the length and type of boat.
Apart from marinas, there are many popular anchorages on Croatian islands - but it is better to check the conditions in advance.
The fact is that in Croatian national parks most of the anchorages are paid and anchoring is prohibited.
Also, many water areas in Croatia are characterised by shoals - including those not marked on the map.
One of the few disadvantages of yachting in Croatia is the relatively short season. The optimum time for yachting is summer, from July to September. May and June are suitable for more dynamic yachting - but unlikely to appeal to beach lovers.
Main charter start points:
Biograd na Moru
Zadar
Trogir
Split
Dubrovnik
Route example:
An itinerary for lovers of stunning views and long sailing passages.
Biograd na moru- Murter - Skradin - Rogoznica - Trogir - Zlarin - Biograd na moru
Total distance: 131 NM
Biograd na moru- Murter (11,2 NM)
On Saturday you will check in the boat at the marina of Biograd na moru (43°56.483′ N 15°26.5′ E). It's a small town - but it's popular with yachtsmen. You'll always find other cruisers or regatta participants in the marina's cafes and bars.
However, you don't want to stay out until the morning - the next morning is your first crossing. You're heading to Murter Island (43°49.5′ N 15°35.3′ E). There are many anchorages on Murter, the largest being Marina Hramina at the north end of the island. Another option is to anchor or anchor at the Sveti Nikola buoys. In both places you can climb the nearby hill in the evening at sunset or in the morning before departure and admire the view from the heights among the remains of the ancient walls.
Murter - Skradin (22.8 NM)
The town of Skradin (43°48.95′ N 15°55.35′ E) awaits you today - but there's plenty of adventure to be had before that.
To start, you'll pass through a narrow gate past the ancient fortress of St Nicholas. After that, on the right bank you'll see tunnels for Yugoslavian-era war boats. Further on you will find a narrow fjord and farms on the water where you can buy fresh mussels and oysters. You can make purchases directly from the boat - near the farm you will be approached by an ‘ace’ of sellers. After that you should carefully go back to the centre of the fjord - there is a bridge in front, which you should pass in the highest place exactly in the middle so that you don't hit it with the mast.
Finally, the jewel of these places awaits you - the town of Skradin, which is hidden in the depths of the bay. The most popular mooring place there is ACI Marina Skradin.
The evening can be welcomed again on the top of the mountain - where the beautifully lit fortress stands.
The next morning we recommend getting up early and spending the first half of the day in the Krka National Park.
There is a ferry on the river directly from Skradina Bay. Streams with piercing blue water, waterfalls and the turbines of the world's first power station can all be seen in the park. After your return, you embark on a long boat journey. Today the ancient town of Rogozhnica (43°31.767′ N 15°57.95′ E) awaits you - you can stay at Marina Frapa.
Rogoznica - Trogir (17.3 NM)
Early in the morning the next day you can suggest your crew to go hiking to the lake with the romantic name Dragon's Eye - it is located near the bay. According to one of the many legends, the lake was formed after a meteorite fell on the spot. It is also said that if lovers bathe in this lake, they will be faithful to each other for the rest of their lives.
After bathing in the lake, you take a long journey to the ancient town of Trogir (coord. 43°30.883′ N 16°14.4′ E). This is one of the most pleasant places for lovers of antiquity. In the centre of Trogir is the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, founded in the 13th century, and the surrounding streets are full of monuments to the Venetian Republic with the obligatory winged lions on the walls. There are also several large marinas right in the city centre.
Trogir - Zlarin (30,5 NM)
In the morning you depart from Trogir on your return journey. The island of Zlarin (43°41.9′ N 15°50.017′ E) and the town of the same name await you. Moorings with moorings are available in the bay on the northern part of the island, as well as several dozen fixed buoys.
Weather permitting, on the way you can approach a place called Balenac - it is a famous island that looks incredibly like a fingerprint from a height.
Zlarin - Biograd na moru (24 NM)
On the last day of the trip, you will leave cosy Zlarin and head to Biograd.
It's a short crossing - but on the way you can practice sailing and admire the necklace of islands on the way to the home marina in Biograd na moru.
