Sailing between the islands of central Croatia – a cruise of both: relaxation and adventure
If you are looking for a sailing cruise that will let you disconnect completely and at the same time give you so many emotions, there is nothing better than exploring the pristine islands of central Croatia: Pakleni, Lastovo, Korčula, Lovišće, Šćedro, Brač. All gems of the Adriatic sea where crystal clear sea, enchanted bays, lively towns and ancient villages await you. All wrapped in a delightful atmosphere and the unsurpassed welcome of Croatians to sailors who can find efficient marinas and many restaurants each with its own dock where to moor. What else could you wish for?
Day 1: Trogir, boarding
On the first day of your cruise in central Croatia, stay moored in Trogir and discover this beautiful city. Just think that its ancient and wonderfully preserved medieval stone center, located on a small island, is protected as a Unesco world heritage site. It is located a few steps from the tourist marina where the boat is moored divided by the narrow channel that divides the island of Čiovo from the city of Trogir.
Trogir is in fact the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic city in Central Europe with 2,300 years of urban tradition. Therefore, walking through its narrow and cobbled streets, it is easy to find many interesting cultural and historical monuments and other buildings such as castles, towers, residences and palaces from different periods, as well as art galleries, boutiques, bars and restaurants.
Day 2: Trogir – Aci Marina Palmižana, Hvar – Pakleni islands, 23 miles
About 4 hours of navigation will take you to the beautiful Aci Marina Palmižana, located in the same name bay on the island of Sveti Klement. It is part of the breathtaking archipelago of the Pakleni islands, in the immediate vicinity of the famous town of Hvar, one of the most attractive Croatian destinations. On the route to Palmižana, you can drop anchor for a swim in one of the many bays in the southern part of the island of Šolta. If you prefer anchoring for the second night, you can put the bow in one of the many safe bays on the Pakleni islands, the most popular of which is Vinogradišće bay. Free moorings, but also buoys, are available in the port of Hvar town but at the same time are very difficult to find during the high season, so either book well in advance or don’t waste your time trying to get it on the same day. If you still want to visit the town of Hvar, book a berth in the Aci marina Palmižana and take a taxi boat to the town.
In lively Hvar you can discover its remarkable beauty and rich history, take pleasant walks through the narrow cobbled streets and climb up to the castle overlooking the town, or you can simply go to one of the many excellent restaurants and enjoy the excellent dishes of sea foods. If you decide to stay in Palmižana you can take a long walk across the island and discover its beautiful bays or choose one of the many beautiful taverns.
Day 3: Aci Marina Palmižana – Lastovo, 31 miles
The third day of this central Croatia cruise will take you to the impressive island of Lastovo, the most distant point of our cruise. Every effort you have made to get here will certainly be rewarded by the undeniable beauty of nature, the clarity of the sea and the truly magical atmosphere of the island and its surrounding archipelago protected as a natural park. So keep in mind that the park rangers will approach you with a boat to charge you an entrance ticket.
In Lastovo there are several mooring or anchoring possibilities. In the western part there is the spacious bay of Velji Lago suitable for anchoring in various coves, while berths can be found on the Pasadur waterfront. Another place with mooring possibilities is in the bay of Zaklopatica on the north coast, but you can also moor on the piers of the various restaurants, where you decide to go for dinner. From Zaklopatica be sure to take a 30-minute walk up the hill to the old town of Lastovo, where time stood still from a few centuries ago. The stunning local architecture, together with the dated and particlar urbanization and relaxed atmosphere won’t fail to fascinate you. The anchorage in the beautiful bay of Skrivena luka on the south coast is also worth a visit.
Day 4: Lastovo – Korčula island, 27 miles
While sailing to the city of Korčula you can drop anchor on the islets of Lastovnjaci or in the archipelago of Lumbarda to swim in the crystal clear sea. The number of safe berths in Korčula is limited to the small and busy Aci Marina Korčula, so book in advance. Alternatively, there is a small marina in nearby Lumbarda or the anchorage in Luka bay, both east of the town of Korčula. This is a very picturesque and attractive city with an almost completely fortified old town with well-preserved stone walls, very typical of central Croatia.
A walk through its narrow and lively cobbled streets is always an emotion, as is a visit to Marco Polo’s house. In fact, the legend says that the great traveler was born in Korčula in the 13th century, but what is certain is his stay in the city for a certain period. You can visit his home and discover the routes of his ancient journeys. In the old town there are many bars and restaurants, but before choosing one, walk up to the fortress on the hill to enjoy an incredible view of the Pelješac peninsula and the canal that divides it from Korčula.
Day 5: Korčula – Bay Lovišće, Šćedro island, 21 miles
After the night in Korčula, head for the magnificent island of Šćedro, only 21 miles or less than 4 hours of relaxed sailing. The final destination is in the deep and beautiful Lovišće anchorage, located on the northern part of the island: a well protected shelter divided into four bays, each one extremly beautiful. For a safe overnight stay, drop the anchor and tie a stern rope to a rock or tree on the coast. Since there is no town or village on the island but only a few houses, peace and quiet are guaranteed. Of course, also in Lovišće there are three or four restaurants offering delicious cuisine, mainly based on fresh seafood. In addition to good food, in Šćedro you can enjoy almost untouched nature and the joy of swimming in pure and crystal clear sea waters. Relax on the deck to recharge your batteries and prepare for a return to reality, or take a walk around the island, but be careful not to get lost due to the dense vegetation.
Day 6: Isola di Šćedro – Milna, isola di Brač, 26 miglia
After the wilderness on Šćedro, the sixth day of this cruise in central Croatia is the time to start adapting to civilization. Hence, the next port is the small town of Milna, located in a large bay on the west coast of the island of Brač. But during the cruise to Milna stop for a swim in one of the bays of the Pakleni or Hvar islands that will be halfway to your destination for the day. This deeply indented bay is well protected from all winds and offers many possibilities for safe overnight stays. There are also three marinas and waterfront moorings. For a quiet night choose the first marina on the left as you enter the port, while if you prefer the lively atmosphere of the typical Mediterranean city, choose the moorings on the seafront or in the Aci marina.
In Milna, walk around this beautiful elongated bay and explore the lively city and its many interesting old buildings. Eat a meal or just have a drink in one of the many taverns and let the relaxing atmosphere take over before returning to Trogir.
Dat 7: Milna – Trogir, 17 miles
There are about 17 miles to cross to reach the home port, Trogir and end this cruise. It takes about 3 hours of sailing, so you have some time to explore the northern coast of the island of Šolta. You can drop anchor in one of the many beautiful bays and cool off in the sea, or have lunch in the villages of Stomorska, Nečujam or Rogač, where you can also fill up the tank for fuel. Don’t rush and take advantage of this last day on the boat to enjoy the Adriatic Sea. When the boat is safely moored in Trogir, take the opportunity to once again visit its lively streets in the incredible old town. Your eyes and heart will thank you …