Croatia’s Dalmatian coast runs from just north of Zadar to south of Dubrovnik. Scattered along the coast are a huge number of islands offering a wealth of places to explore.
Korcula: The walled city plays host to a couple of large yachts
In fact Dalmatia offers so many options that I’ve divided the area in to three parts; north, central and south. The divisions are somewhat arbitrary but correspond to the popular sailing areas and natural breaks in the geography.
In this southern section, I’m including everywhere from a line drawn across the top of the Peljesac peninsula and the island of Korcula, down to Croatia’s southern border.
The area is less visited than some of the more island rich regions further north. There is however plenty to keep you occupied and the area is far from devoid of islands. Furthermore, with the opening up of Montenegro, there may be renewed interest in sailing south of Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik: The town, city walls and harbour
For many, Dubrovnik is the highlight of a trip to Croatia, and a “must see”. Unfortunately, the moorings are some way from the centre of town and you’ll need to take a cab or a bus, but it’s well worth the trip.
Otherwise, the wider area is very similar to the central Dalmatia area, with a good mixture of places large and small to visit. There is one difference though; with a few exceptions, the beaches are pebble rather than sand.
Sailing conditions are also similar with F2-5 being the norm, sometimes a little stronger when the Bora or Sirroco blow. Seas can be a little choppier though, especially in late afternoon and early evening when a combination of opposing winds and currents can cause a bit of a build up.
Orebic: Entrance to the small harbour, with the town and mountains behind
The main charter base for the region is Dubrovnik, served by Dubrovnik airport about 30-40 minutes drive away. There are Saturday flights from Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick (and other options on other days).
Being less popular than central and northern parts of Dalmatia, the number of yachts available from Dubrovnik is limited so whether going for a bareboat or skippered charter, I would suggest booking early if you’re particular about your choice of yacht. There are a few Flotillas operating in the area but again, the choice is more limited than elsewhere.
The plus side of there being fewer yachts is of course less competition for moorings so if you’re looking to sample Croatia but fancy somewhere a bit off the beaten track, try southern Dalmatia.
Donje Celo: The charming fishing village on Kolocep Island
More details on southern Dalmatia, including write ups on lots of possible stops and some suggested routes, will be coming in due course. Meantime, to get a feel of the area, take a look at the pictures on this page: Dalmatia (South): Gallery