Sailing Week in Croatia

Most photos of Croatia are taken from a bird’s-eye view - and for a good reason. There is simply so much beauty there that every photographer wants to capture as much of it as possible in a single frame. But the true magic of Croatia in summer is found at sea. That’s why we spend most of our time sailing, swimming, and living on the water aboard our яхта - coming ashore mainly to explore beautiful towns, hidden places, or enjoy a good restaurant by the coast.

We arrive in Split and make our way to Marina Kaštela, where our yachts are waiting for us. After settling into the cabins, we shop together for food and drinks for the journey ahead. Beautiful beaches are located right next to the marina, so those who wish can immediately jump into the warm Adriatic Sea and enjoy the first moments of Croatian summer. Later, we stroll through the town, swim, relax, and in the evening gather together for our first dinner onboard. This is when the journey truly begins: getting to know each other, exploring the yacht, listening to the captain’s first sea stories, and feeling the excitement of the adventure ahead. In front of us lies the stunning Adriatic Sea — with its islands, hidden bays, sailing boats, and maybe even dolphins along the way. Adventure begins.

Our first destination is the island of Hvar. In the morning, we leave the marina and sail out into the open sea. Along the way, those who wish can learn the basics of sailing — how to steer the yacht, work with the sails, and maybe even hear a few humorous “survival lessons” from the captain. 😊 We stop at a beautiful bay for our first swim from the yacht, and this is usually the moment when everyone realizes: swimming directly from a yacht in the open sea feels completely different from any beach vacation. Crystal-clear water, endless blue around you, and the freedom of being at sea — this is one of the true pleasures of sailing in Croatia. By evening, we arrive at Hvar — the sunniest island in the Adriatic, famous for its beautiful nature, mild climate, lavender fields, and charming old town atmosphere. We wander through narrow stone streets filled with small shops, cafés, wine bars, and hidden corners full of Mediterranean character. Climbing higher through the old town, we reach the historic fortress overlooking the island and the sea beyond. The views from here are unforgettable — red rooftops, yachts in the harbor, tiny islands scattered across the Adriatic, and sunsets that look almost unreal. After exploring the town, we end the evening the way it should be ended in Dalmatia: slowly, with good company, local food, wine, and conversations in a cozy family-owned restaurant by the sea.

Today we sail from Hvar to the island of Vis. Although Vis is located not far from Hvar, it feels like a completely different world — quieter, more untouched, and deeply authentic. Along the way, we enjoy another beautiful day at sea: sailing under the sun, swimming in hidden bays, relaxing on deck, and watching the Adriatic slowly change its colors around us. The coastline of Vis is truly breathtaking. Pine trees stretch almost to the water itself, and the sea here takes on incredible shades of turquoise and deep blue, constantly changing with the sunlight and reflections of the surrounding greenery. There is a special calmness on this island — a feeling that time moves more slowly here. For those who want to explore further, it’s possible to rent a scooter or a small car and drive along the island’s winding coastal roads, discovering secluded beaches, tiny villages, scenic viewpoints, and local restaurants hidden among the hills. Vis is one of those places that stays in your memory long after the journey ends.

Today we sail from Vis to the island of Korčula — one of the true gems of Southern Dalmatia. Korčula is an island where history feels alive at every step. Its story goes back thousands of years, all the way to Neolithic times, and over the centuries many powers fought for control of this beautiful piece of the Adriatic. At one point, the island even enjoyed a brief period of independence. In 1214, the famous Statute of Korčula was created here — one of the oldest known legal documents in the history of Dalmatia. But beyond the history, Korčula is simply magical. We spend time exploring the old town, often called a “mini Dubrovnik” because of its medieval stone walls, narrow streets, towers, and ancient architecture rising directly above the sea. Inside the old fortress lies a remarkably preserved medieval town, full of hidden courtyards, small cafés, local wine bars, and quiet corners that seem untouched by time. Walking through Korčula feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into another century — slowly, peacefully, and with the sea always somewhere nearby. This is one of those evenings where there is no need to rush anywhere. Just enjoy the atmosphere, the beauty of the old stone streets, and the feeling of being exactly where you are meant to be.

Today we sail back toward the island of Hvar, taking our time to fully enjoy another beautiful day at sea. Along the way, we stop in quiet bays with crystal-clear water, swim directly from the yacht, relax under the sun, and discover hidden corners of the Adriatic that are impossible to reach by ordinary travel routes. This part of the journey is all about the simple pleasures of life at sea: warm wind in the sails, endless blue horizons, peaceful moments on deck, and the feeling of complete freedom. Nature here still feels wonderfully untouched. Pine-covered shores, прозрачная вода, small rocky beaches, and secluded coves create the kind of scenery that stays in your memory forever. And for those who enjoy it, there may even be a bit of fishing along the way — the Adriatic always loves surprises. 😊

Today we sail from Hvar toward the beautiful historic town of Trogir. Founded in the 3rd century BC and now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trogir is one of the most charming and атмосферных towns on the Adriatic coast. Here, history is everywhere: narrow stone streets, ancient buildings, beautiful churches and cathedrals, old city walls, marble walkways polished smooth over centuries, and cozy cafés and restaurants hidden in small courtyards by the sea. The old town is compact, lively, and full of Mediterranean character - the kind of place where you can spend hours simply wandering without any plan at all. Some people explore the architecture and history, others enjoy local seafood and wine by the waterfront, while some just sit with coffee and watch the evening life of the city unfold around them. Trogir has a special atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and simply enjoy being there.

Today we make our final sailing passage back toward our base marina near Split. There is nowhere to rush anymore. By now, the sea already feels familiar, the yacht feels like home, and the crew feels like a small traveling family. We spend the day enjoying the simple rhythm of sailing: the sound of the wind in the sails, the warmth of the sun, one more swim in the Adriatic, one more quiet bay, one more beautiful sunset at sea. And perhaps the best feeling of all is realizing how natural life onboard has already become - as if the sea has always been part of your everyday life.

In the morning, we return the yachts and prepare for the journey home. But since the airport is nearby and there is still time left to enjoy Croatia a little longer, many of us usually head to the beaches of Split for one final swim, coffee by the sea, or a last walk through the old city before departure. And this is usually the moment when everyone begins saying the same thing: “We should do this again.”