Yacht Charter Day 1: Milna – The Bay of a Thousand Ships
Yacht Charter Day 2 – Hvar – Croatian L.A.
Yacht Charter Day 3 – Korcula – The Small Dubrovnik
Yacht Charter Day 4 – Lastovo The Best Stargazing Spot
Yacht Charter Day 5 – Vis The Mamma Mia Island
Yacht Charter Day 6 – Maslinica Quiet Settlement Under Pine Trees
Day 0: Split
When deciding on your Croatian yachting week or two, there is a great chance you will fly into the Split Airport. The international airport is located 12mi from Split in the town of Kaštela. Once on the ground, you are already in the heart of Croatian yachting. You will find the most reliable and prominent Marinas and Charters of Croatia in the circle of 12mi from the Airport. Most of the Marinas lay on the West from the city of Split. Marina Baotić, Marina Agana and ACI Marina Trogir are charter specialized marinas laying western from Split. Easy to organize transfer will take you to the chosen one.
However, the urban enthusiast will likely decide on the city marina for the sail out. ACI Marina Split, still charter-oriented, is positioned in the Split city port. It is actually a starting point of the city’s seafront promenade. Taking 20 minutes’ walk to the Diocletian’s Palace you will experience the most authentic Mediterranean city vibe. The cafes on Split “Riva” are always full of laidback locals enjoying their fifth coffee in a row. The residents of Split are known to be the most beautiful people in the region. They are best dressed and the Riva promenade is their red carpet. Make sure to dress nicely for the sightseeing!
The second-largest city in Croatia was founded as a Greek colony in the 3rd century BC. The famous Diocletian’s Palace is one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. The Emperor’s palace with its peristyle represents the historic center of Split, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Saint Domnius with impressive bell tower became world popular wedding place. These monuments were built from stone from the island of Brač, which is actually your first cruising destination after the sail out. To refresh with vitamins, visit the marketplace also called “Pazar”, rich in organic fruits and vegetables. You can chill out from the city rush in the Strossmayer’s garden. The beautiful city garden, by locals known as Džardin, is placed beside the north entrance to the Diocletian palace. The concerts are held in the garden each and every evening throughout the summer.
As there is truly much to see around the city, we suggest you move and dine in one of the prominent marina restaurants. Leave the city rush and decide between restaurants Zrno Soli and Adriatic Grašo in ACI Marina Split, both ensuring fine dining with the sea view.
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Saturday/Day 1: Route: Trogir or Split – Milna Brač
On the first day, we will head towards Brač. The largest island in Dalmatia is covered with pictures vineyards and olive groves. To create space for agriculture the hard-working locals traditionally traded with stone. The precious Brač limestone was used in building Diocletian’s Palace in Split. The widespread claim says it was also used in the White House in Washington. Your destination on Brač will be on the west coast. After crossing Brač Channel you will reach Milna. The pictures village settled back in the 16th century, is a center of a natural harbor, located in a cove. There are actually two marinas in this bay. The ACI marina will give you shelter accompanied by top service. For an authentic stay, you should choose to stay in the village port. If you are into meditative morning view, we recommend buoy in an almost unsettled wilderness of neighboring bay Bobovisca. However, evening walk around Milna is a must. Whether you choose to stay in the port or use your by-boat from ACI or Bobovisca. You will get lost under the impression of great stone architecture and street musicians, which can be heard in front of the baroque church even in the late season.
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Sunday/Day 2: Route: Milna Brač – Hvar (Palmižana)
The next stop will be Hvar. The famous island of Hvar represents Croatian L.A. The island of rich and famous will give you an opportunity for a little celebrity spotting. The island has been discovered by world establishment back in 20th century. In 1967 Orson Welles spent several weeks in Hvar Town, filming The Deep. The city of Hvar, located on Hvar, is otherwise famous for its rich historical heritage. The fortress just above the city center is worth a climb. Other historical buildings are all around the big main square, which is known as the biggest in Dalmatia. The experience of sipping your coffee on the beautiful main square can undoubtedly compete with being in Venice. Afterward, we recommend taking a walk between pine trees to the famous beach bar Hula-hula placed in the neighboring bay. After 10 minutes you will reach the best beach dance floor guaranteeing magnificent sunset.
If choosing to stay overnight in Hvar, you can dance your night away in Hula-hula and walk back to the dock or buoy in the port of Hvar whenever you feel like. Those who favor moving to a quieter place overnight will choose a bay somewhere among the 20 islets and cliffs in the small Pakleni islands archipelago, which lay vis-vis the city of Hvar. The crew will find the right spot to chill. The recommended place among isles is ACI Marina Palmizana, situated in a safe bay, surrounded by the pine forest. The ACI is situated on the island of Saint Klement – the largest among Pakleni islands. A short walk by the magical forest-path will bring you on the other side of the island. The bay of Vinogradisce on the southern side of the island fascinates with its turquoise water. There are many excellent restaurants and bars hidden behind pine trees, rosemary and other Dalmatian trees and bushes, while the beach is sandy. We highly recommend the Laganini restaurant, which impressed even high tastes of U2 frontman Bono. Not enough? We have another secret treasure to reveal. Stipanska, also one of the Pakleni islands, is the home to Carpe Diem Beach. Forget about Thai Hat Rin – this is the place to experience Full Moon party. The city of Hvar, as well as Pakleni islands, are definitely major partying waypoint of your Croatian yachting week – enjoy it. Remember you have the experienced crew, who will understand your chill-out needs.
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Monday/Day 3: Route: Hvar – Korčula (Badija)
Leaving the Pakleni islands you will cruise by a small island of Scedro. Stopping for a swim at this untouched beauty, laying between Hvar and Korčula, will give you much needed peace after the night out in Hvar. The island is almost uninhabited, still, you can enjoy authentic cousin prepared by local fishermen on the northern side of the islands. The restaurant Kod Ive lays by destroyed Dominican monastery from the sixteenth century. The high-quality fish, lobster, and langoustines will be waiting for you in a seawater tank. The restaurant’s terrace is placed directly on the beach. If you are into spending a night on a buoy, this is definitely the opportunity to take.
In case you want to reach ACI the same night, your next stop is 22 NM Eastern. It is a great chance you will have to watch out for windsurfers and kiteboarders on your way to ACI Korčula. The narrow channel between Peljesac peninsula and north-east end of the island of Korcula, with common daily NW wind known as Maestral, is the most popular place for windsurfers in all Croatia. The town of Korčula is spreading around the old medieval city built on a small oval peninsula. It is also known as “small Dubrovnik”. Alike the bigger and well-known Dubrovnik, the city is closed by medieval city walls. After safe mooring in ACI Korčula, you can again get lost between stone buildings, enjoy the street music and shop in many galleries and jewelry shops.
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Tuesday/Day 4: Route: Korčula – Lastovo
Before heading towards south you can stop for a swim on the island Badija. Placed right next to Korčula, it is known for the monastery from XV. Century.
After another 20 NM of a cruise, you will reach Lastovo. Lastovo, though far from Croatian as well as Italian coast, was settled already in the Neolithic age. The island is rich in 15th and 16th-century Venetian architecture. You can choose to stay in the bay of Zaklopatica. The first option to stay on Lastovo, coming from North, is the bay of Zaklopatica. The bay, which is naturally protected from sometimes unpleasant NE – Bora wind, is positioned on the Northern part of the island. The bay of Zaklopatica offers great cousin, all of the restaurants in this small bay offer free mooring. We highly recommend the Augusta Insula restaurant. The welcoming staff, always with the smile on the face, will even dive into the blue and arrange instant buoy for you in case the moorings are occupied. All ingredients of their cuisine are organically grown in the family garden. The recommended dish – lobster “Buzara”. A 30 minutes’ walk from Zaklopatica will lead you to the city of Lastovo. It is placed in the inside of the island. The light pollution is at a minimum in Lastovo. Thanks to the great distance from the mainland it is the location to observe the Milky Way.
Choosing the southern side of the island we suggest Porto Rosso berth and restaurant in the bay of Skrivena Luka – meaning the hidden bay. Another magical place to stay – only the blue on the horizon towards Italy. The recommended dish – pasta with lobster.
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Wednesday/Day 5: Route: Lastovo – Vis
Heading towards the island of Vis, you can again pick between the southern and northern part of the island. On the southern side – open towards Italy – you will be welcomed in the traditional fishermen settlement – Komiža. A pictures place, protected from the winds with the long dock. If you prefer staying on the buoys – they are on the left side of the bay. Komiža is the only place to properly hide from Bora now being far away from the mainland. Make sure to enter Komiža before noon in case of the bad weather report.
On the northern-eastern part of the island Vis, the town of Vis is located. This town represents a contrast to Komiža, being much more sophisticated and aristocratic. The town of Vis had great importance in history, going back to 400 B.C. It is full of great stone buildings, and it ’s architecture is largely influenced by Italy.
Now being under sails for five days, perhaps you would wish to feel both feet on the ground. We suggest taking a tour around the islands. The very attractive military tour will take you around many catacombs and other army objects scattered across the island. The tour is possible from Vis as well as from Komiža. Ask the tour guide to take you to the hidden restaurant on the mainland offering delicious “Peka”. The “must try” traditional Dalmatian barbeque dish is a combination of vegetables and meat (or octopus) prepared in special pots under a bell. We were greatly impressed at “Roki’s”. In addition to “Peka”, we enjoyed in wine tasting. The specific climate conditions allowed Roki’s family to process vineyards in accordance with the principles of organic production. They are proud of the ecological grape producer title.
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Thursday/Day 6: Route: Vis – Šolta
After visiting Vis, you will have to accept the fact you are heading back to the mainland. However, there is still some beauty to see. You will be heading back via the island of Šolta. Šolta is placed in front of Split and you have passed it from the northern side on the first day on your way to Milna. The north-west end of the island offers a few nice options to spend the last night. The ones enjoying anchoring will probably choose the Šešula bay. There are few nice restaurants hidden in between pine three, which you can reach by dinghy our use their buoys. 10 minutes’ walk will get you to Maslinica. The village of Maslinica can boast with a modern marina. The bay of Maslinica will protect you from all the winds. There is a mansion with a great restaurant Martinis Marchi – nobel dining with the view. However, you can choose to get lost around this lovely village and find other authentic restaurants and pubs. The sunset from this marina’s dock is a must-see.
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Friday/Day 7: Route: Šolta – Trogir
Once being in Maslinica, you are only 7 NM away from the marinas of Trogir and Split. Try to calculate properly your time for the gas station and sailboat hand-over, while there is a stone beauty waiting for you on the mainland. The city of Trogir is also called the Little Venice of Dalmatia. The old town is under the protection of UNESCO world heritage. This tiny town, rich with well-preserved Romanesque-Gothic architecture, is actually an island connected to the mainland with bridges. There are around ten churches and numerous stone building from the 13th century in the historical city core. The Kamerlengo castle in the corner of the town walls dates back in 14th century. It has served as housing facilities for Venetian military. Today it is an important gathering point, offering an open-space stage for the variety of rich cultural performances.
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