A sailing holiday in northern Dalmatia offers a captivating mix of natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure. With over a thousand islands scattered along its stunning coastline, northern Dalmatia provides endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, as well as pure relaxation surrounded by greenery and crystal-clear waters. You can immerse yourself in centuries-old architecture, lively local markets, natural parks, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. The rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality of the locals add an extra layer of charm to your sailing experience.

Whether you are seeking tranquility, adventure, or a mix of both, northern Dalmatia has plenty to offer. Our proposed cruise departs from Šibenik and winds its way through some of the most picturesque islands of the archipelago. Fair winds!

Read also: Sailing on the North Dalmatian coast to discover beautiful Croatia

Day 1, Šibenik, Embarkation

The boarding point for our sailing cruise through northern Dalmatia is Šibenik, a charming medieval town on the Adriatic, highly appreciated by sailors for its beautiful seafront and historic center—a sparkling white cluster contrasting with the blue sea.

Here stands the stunning St. James Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece and symbol of the town. Built from the fine white stone of the island of Brač, visitors are particularly struck by the frieze decorating the exterior walls of the apses, featuring 71 sculpted heads representing Šibenik’s citizens in the 15th century, each showing different expressions such as boredom, pride, serenity, joy, and more. Another beautiful building in the historic center is the Renaissance-era Town Hall, as well as the 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance Church of St. John and the Franciscan Monastery.

Beyond numerous nearby beaches and coves, Šibenik also offers small fishing villages like Vodice, with its charming little marina, or Primošten, perhaps the most beautiful coastal town in the area, reminiscent of Rovinj with its romantic old town atmosphere and stunning pebble beaches surrounded by pine forests.

Šibenik is also an excellent starting point to explore the famous Krka waterfalls and the eponymous national park, or the island of Murter with its beautiful coves along the rugged coastline.

Day 2, Šibenik – Zlarin, 4 miles

After a short 40-minute sail, we reach the island of Zlarin, located within the Šibenik archipelago, near the entrance to St. Anthony Channel along the mysterious walls of St. Nicholas Fortress. This is a magical, car-free place that preserves the atmosphere of old fishing villages. The small town, home to a few hundred residents, is very charming, and the local harbor has multiple moorings in 3–5 meter depths, with water and electricity services.

Zlarin, also known as “the island of gold,” was once famous for its coral fishermen, and traces of this activity remain today. You can visit the Coral Museum and an artisan workshop where handcrafted coral jewelry is made and sold. Historical and cultural highlights include the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Church of the Assumption, and the small 17th-century chapel of Saints Roch and Simon.

Thanks to its unspoiled nature, lush pine forests, dense cypress groves, fig trees, and rosemary bushes, Zlarin is perfect for walking or cycling. With its many beaches and coves, both large and small, it offers endless delights for every sailor.

 

Day 3, Zlarin – Prvić, 2 miles

We set sail for a short hop to the island of Prvić, also known as “Provicchio,” famous as the home of the great Croatian scientist, scholar, and bishop Faust Vrančić, inventor of the parachute and the cable car, among other things. A commemorative center on the island tells his extraordinary life and achievements. Prvić is generally very picturesque, with two villages, Prvić Luka and Prvić Šepurine, both offering a charming mix of architecture, tranquility, and the lightness of island life. Walking through the stone alleys, you can smell lavender, salt, and the sea. The ancient stone houses share common walls and are protected as part of the island’s historical heritage.

Among the beaches, the most famous and largest is in Prvić Šepurine—a wide pebble beach protected by a beautiful pine forest, ideal for a whole day of relaxation. Although inhabited since ancient times, evidenced by numerous historical remains, the island saw a larger population arrive in the 15th century, fleeing the Turks. At that time, the monastery with the Church of Our Lady of Grace was built. In the 17th century, the Church of St. Roch was completed, featuring a richly decorated wooden altar.

Day 4, Prvić – Kaprije, 10.8 miles

We cast off for Kaprije, a popular stop for sailors navigating between Split and the Kornati Islands. The safest spot on the island is the small harbor of Kaprije on the southwest side. This deep cove, called Luka sv. Petra, offers protection from all winds except the Mistral, Tramontana, and summer storms. Sailors can also find secure moorings along the main pier, which has about twenty berths, matching the number of mooring buoys towards the shore. Those seeking peace and quiet can choose from several secluded corners of Kaprije to drop anchor.

On the northwest side, we suggest Remetić cove, opposite Medoš cove. Along the southern coast, there are two beautiful coves, Mala and Velika Nozdra. Each uninhabited cove has mooring buoys, and in the two most charming coves (Medoš and Mala Nozdra), there are small seaside restaurants accessible only by boat, very popular with visiting sailors. Since none of these coves offer protection from southern winds, when the Sirocco blows, it is better to move to Vanjska cove, which has anchoring facilities.

Kaprije owes its name to the caper plant, whose edible buds feature in many local dishes. The island is crisscrossed by trails once used by locals to reach farmland. Kaprije is primarily agricultural, with some fishing, which on good weather days provides visitors with fresh fish.

Day 5, Kaprije – Tijat, 7 miles

A little over an hour of sailing brings us to Tijat, a true corner of paradise within the Šibenik archipelago, full of greenery, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear water. The island lies south of Tribunj and Vodice, and west of Prvić. The favorite anchorage for sailors here is Tijascica Bay on the southern side of the island. Exposed to the Sirocco wind, it is sheltered from other winds and features a small restaurant serving local specialties.

Historically, the island had about 2,500 olive trees, but since 1992, mouflons inhabiting the island have greatly reduced their numbers. Most of the land is owned by residents of Šepurina from Prvić. One of the island’s attractions is a large iron cross dating back to 1933, surrounded by stories and legends. Nearby, a tomb with Glagolitic inscriptions was discovered. From the top of the island, you can enjoy stunning views of Prvić, Zlarin, Kaprije, the Kornati, Vodice, and Šibenik, with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Day 6, Tijat – Zablaće, 6 miles

After another hour of sailing, we reach Zablaće, a small and charming fishing village along the coast, about 4 miles from Šibenik. The village is first mentioned in medieval documents from 1432 as a manufacturing base where the people of Šibenik cultivated salt. The area was once full of multicolored salt pans, which were later plundered and destroyed during the Turkish attacks in 1646. Today, the names of the old salt works—Veliko Jezero, Mala Solina (Blato), and Mala Solana with its channel connected to the sea—can still be seen. The area remains rich in medicinal and therapeutic mud, useful for treating rheumatic conditions.

Notable sites include the historic Church of St. John (Crkva sv. Ivana) in the center of Zablaće, as well as the archaeological site of Burnum, an ancient Roman military camp with well-preserved ruins, including a theater, baths, and a military amphitheater. Zablaće is green and tranquil, known to tourists only in recent years, preserving an authentic, relaxed atmosphere that is perfect to enjoy even from the water.

Day 7, Zablaće – Šibenik, 4 miles

A short sail brings us back to the beautiful marina of Šibenik, with the whole day available to explore the town and its surroundings. It’s also the perfect moment to reflect on all the experiences and memories gathered during our sailing cruise along the northern Dalmatian coast.

 

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