Discover the best Croatian Islands from Split & Trogir
Starting your journey from Split or Trogir Central Dalmatia is one of the most enticing parts of Croatia and one of the easiest to explore by yacht. The unique natural beauty of its coastline and islands is undeniably stunning. The enticing mix of Mediterranean beauty and the layers of history that are written in the stones of its streets and squares – each will lead you to central Dalmatia, the heart of the Adriatic. It is easy to spend a month, never mind a week or two here, exploring its beguiling towns and cities, where history blends with cosmopolitan chic and relaxing on its many beautiful islands with their pristine beaches and warm breezes.
Split
Croatia’s second largest city is one which brims with history. A major port since Roman occupation the renovated sea front now blends ancient and modern in a stylish way and in the summer the town hums with life as visitors and locals mix in the bars and cafes with the stunning mountainous coastline in the background. Split is much more than glorious architectural scenery, it’s a venue for excellent food and wine, cultural festivals, film, theatre, art, palaces and music.
Hvar
Widely known as the “new St-Tropez” Hvar is clearly one of Croatia’s top islands and one of the jewels of the Adriatic. One of Hvar’s major features is sunshine. Hvar island boasts 2718 hours of sunshine a year, making it Croatia’s sunniest island. Hvar town is the destination of choice for visitors from all corners of the world. The renovated Venetian townhouses on winding little streets serve as a backdrop to the best nightlife on the Adriatic. Away from Hvar town you will find pristine beaches leading down to crystal clear waters where you can experience a more relaxed and Dalmatian way of life in Jelsa, Stari Grad and Vrboska.
Vis
Vis remains one of the least developed islands in the Adriatic retaining it’s natural beauty as, until 1989 it was used as an army base and cut off from tourism. Now the cozy restaurants will have you hanging out for hours sipping on locally-produced wine from the island, which is some of the finest in Croatia. Savour the freshly caught fish and lobster, enjoy the welcome of friendly locals and relax on the unspoiled beaches. Discover the contrasting pictures of the island, Vis town is wealthier and rich with history while the fishing town of Komiža has much earthier charms.
Solta
The island of Solta is often overlooked by visitors to Croatia, because of this it remains one of the most unspoilt on the Croatian coastline despite its proximity to Split and is an ideal destination for peace and tranquility. Solta is a great place to savour locally grown olives and honey and to taste the wine from the island’s vineyards. Explore, relax and dive into the beauty of many bays, explore the little beaches and coves or visit one of the picturesque little harbour towns like Maslinica and Stomorska.
Korcula
Korcula has some of the best beaches in Croatia, many of them small and secluded in little coves and sandy bays with turquoise water making them the perfect swim spots when exploring on a yacht. With its vineyards and olive groves and pretty little villages Korcula is an island which has retained its traditions and remains unspoiled by mass tourism. The old town, known as ‘little Dobrovnik’ is steeped in history and famous for its local wine.
Trogir
Trogir is a beautiful destination often referred to as the Croatian Venice. Trogir’s old town is located on an island, accessible by bridges from the mainland and packed with charm, scenic views, and lots of great restaurants and cafes. Just 4 km from Split International Airport and only 28 km to Split this small, historical UNESCO world heritage town has natural protection surrounded by stunning scenery and is a favourite destination as a nautical port.
The sailing area from Split and Trogir around the central Dalmatia islands and coast provides some of the most sheltered and friendly sailing in Croatia. The winds are generally ideal for fun yet relaxing sailing, with winds very rarely stronger than Force 4 (moderate breeze) in summer. With a sunny Mediterranean climate, calm crystal clear waters and friendly winds, the Dalmatian Islands are one of the best destinations for sailing in Croatia.
What is the weather like in Dalmatia?
The popularity of Croatia as a sailing destination lies as much in the ideal climate as in the beauty of its shores. The sunny Adriatic enjoys an average of 315 cloudless days a year. During the most popular chartering season between May and November, blue skies and warm weather prevail. Summer temperatures are between 26°C to 30°C, with over 12 hours of sunshine a day with gentle winds generally NW 10 to 20 knots. Sea temperature is a pleasant 24°C on a bright summer’s day.
A typical day
Enjoy breakfast in a waterfront café, people watch with a coffee in a medieval town square or onboard in a tranquil bay. Cast your lines for a relaxing sail to a secluded bay for a lunch time stop. Go for a swim in the warm, clear waters or explore with a paddle board or snorkels. As the islands are in fairly close proximity to one another choose exhilarating sailing until late afternoon or a more relaxing hop to your evening destination. Spend a calm evening in a delightful bay or moor in an historic port or vibrant town.
EXPLORE THE DALMATIAN ISLANDS
Feel inspired by some of our favourite Itineraries