Picking the perfect place to take your cruise of a lifetime is no easy feat. There’s a lot to consider. And the destination is one of the biggest factors. Some may prefer a vacation through the icy northern waters of Alaska. While others want to dip their toes in the glistening warm tropical waters of the south pacific. There are so many different locations and climates to choose from that even the pickiest of people can no doubt find the perfect place. However, few places can beat Croatia.

Another big thing to contemplate is the cruise itself. From the standard ships that are essentially floating resorts. To sailing your own schooner wherever your heart desires. Understandably, most people don’t own a boat for countless reasons. Therefore, the best option for most is booking a cruise. The only downside to this is that there isn’t much freedom to explore at your own pace. When planning the voyaging trip of a lifetime it is always important to have the flexibility you deserve. And you can find exactly that in Croatia with options to charter your own luxury yacht equipped with a crew, so you can kick back and relax any way you want.

With the freedom, a yacht charter brings you can plan the perfect trip. And with that in mind lets look at some of the best things to do on your luxury Croatian cruise:

Enjoy a Gourmet Meal on a Secluded Island
If you’re anything like me then I bet you appreciate some good food. Now pair that with a gorgeous beachfront view and you have the makings of a perfect evening. You can find exactly that at the Konoba Opat restaurant on Kornat island. And I hope you like seafood because Konoba Opat’s menu is greatly influenced by what the local fisherman bring in each day which usually consists of a variety of fish and shellfish. You couldn’t get any fresher than that if you tried!

There may be many beachfront restaurants in Croatia but what makes Konoba Opat so special is the ability to sail right into the Opat bay and hop on land for a delicious gourmet meal and a great atmosphere.

Take a (deep) dip in the sea

Naturally, one of the biggest perks of being on a boat is having the endless blue horizon right out your front door. And one of the best ways to experience it is to jump in! Snorkeling in the crystal-clear water is thrilling and being on your own private yacht only elevates that. You can jump right in whenever and wherever you want. And you can take it to the next level by diving into deeper waters.

With Croatia’s thousands of islands, you’re never too far from an incredible spot for divers and snorkelers alike. Some of these places include the Blue Grotto, Premuda, Margarina reef, and for the more experienced divers Baron Gautsch. The WW1 Austrian passenger ship that went down in 1914 after hitting one of her own county’s mines. She sunk in minutes and now rests upright on the ocean floor surrounded by wildlife that made her their home.

Search for Secret Coves
Undoubtedly, one of Croatia’s best features are the thousands of islands to be explored. And on those islands, the most beautiful beaches can be found. However, with great beauty comes great amounts of tourists! It’s always impossible to enjoy the scenery when its blocked by a wall of people trying to get the best angle for their next selfie. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but not when you’re on your own boat. You can set sail in search of your own little piece of paradise.

Some of the more popular places among sailors are Lovrečina Bay, Dugi otok, Pomena beach, and the small little Town of Komiža. These places are known to be beautiful. And of course, that means over time they are becoming more crowded as well, but don't worry! There are still many secret spots to be found on your trip from island to island.

Explore Hvar
So far we've looked at things to do with your boat, but instead of swimming and searching for secret beaches lets take a stroll through one of Croatia's coolest cities. The city of Hvar is very old and has a long history as a center for culture and trade in the Adriatic.

One of the best things to do in the city if you have a limited time is to take a hike to the top of the Hvar fortress. On the way up you will be able to experience the ancient architecture the city has to offer, including one of the oldest theaters in Europe. And once on the top, you have an incredible view of the city as well as a military fortress to explore.

These are only some of the limitless possibilities when cruising Croatia. However, these are some of the must do's for a truly life-changing adventure. What would be your dream sailing vacation? leave a comment below!

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As a perpetual traveler I aspire to explore the world in new ways and see it from different perspectives. With that said, it has always been a dream of mine to set sail and experience life on the high seas.

Spending time out on the ocean and hopping from island to island has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. In my research I have found many great places for sailing, but one place was recently brought to my attention is Croatia. I don’t know if it was just me or not, but I was not aware of what a marvelous cruising destination it is.




Dugi Otok which translates to “long island” is one of the largest islands in Croatia. However, don’t be fooled by the deceiving name. The island comes in at a whopping 45km long. Dugi Otok has many things to offer including stunning beaches, seaside cliffs, nature parks, and if you’re lucky you might just get to hang out with some of the local donkeys. If you’re planning a trip here it’s also good to know that there are many little villages on the island that all offer their own charms and places to stay. Whether you’re exploring on your skippered yacht charter or via motor boat from the mainland you would want to stay at least a few days. With so much to see I wouldn’t want to miss out.

Telašćica national park has one of the most beautiful natural bays on the Adriatic. Within the Telašćica bay there are six islands and reefs and 70km of gorgeous coast line. The bay being secluded from the wind makes for the perfect spot for sailors and those involved in nautical tourism. And for those who love any beach activities, you’ve come to the right place. Almost anywhere in the bay you can find yourself lounging on the beach, going for a swim in the crystal-clear waters, and the more adventurous things such as snorkeling or even scuba diving around the thriving coral reefs that are full of sea life. And when you get back from a swim or a long walk on the glimmering white sand beach, you can stop by one of the local cafes or restaurants and enjoy some tasty local fish caught fresh every morning.

Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. It is the fifth largest city in the nation and has a population of seventy-five thousand. It has been conquered by almost all historical Mediterranean cultures at some point in time, which is noticeable in the diverse architecture all around the city. With the southern part of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast being extremely touristy during summer time, it can be tough avoid the swarms of people. I find that big crowds can often make it difficult to enjoy your surroundings and immerse in the cultural experiences when traveling. Being in the northern region however, Zadar is much less crowded than some of the more popular destinations.

Zadar is full of history and natural beauty. You can take sailing trips out to remote islands and spend time on delightful beaches, walk through the quiet streets and marvel at the ancient architecture. Or you can check out one of Croatia’s coolest attractions that most people don’t know about. The “sea organ” is an art installation was built into the huge concrete steps along the waterfront. There are underwater pipes that lead up into the steps that produce a magical sound as the swells fill the pipes with water. I’m definitely adding this one to my bucket list.

Vis is the farthest inhabited island from the mainland and was controlled by the Yugoslav army from the 50’s to 1989. They cut off the island to any foreign visitors during that time. Which preserved the development and drove most of the population to find work elsewhere. Since then Vis has become more and more popular among travelers looking for a more remote island to explore.

The island is full of various activities. From relaxing on the beach to exploring the many small coves and sea caves all around the cost. The most famous of these caves is the blue grotto. At only a certain time of year people fill the cave by boat to watch the magical waters light up when the sun reaches the right angle. That alone has me putting Vis on my list. Not to mention the intriguing history behind the island. You can also take a trip to the Archaeological Museum and learn more about the ancient Greek artifacts found on the island.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city and I’m sure there is much to see there. But I can’t help geeking out over what you can see here. It’s a thrilling thought to see the places where they film Game of Thrones. Of course, this is the favorite show of many around the world. Making it a popular attraction to say the least. Dubrovnik is most famous for its “old town”, but fans may recognize it as King’s Landing from Game of Thrones.

Many companies offer guided tours of all the filming locations in the area. You can follow the footsteps of the Lannister family in the red keep or stand in the courtyard where Arya Stark watched *spoilers* happen in front of her. Anyone who is a fan of the show would have a blast walking through the city straight out of Westeros.

These are just a few of the thousands of things to explore in Croatia. During my time researching for this post I have discovered a whole new list of things I need to do when I’m in this area. And in my opinion the best way to see Croatia’s unbelievable coast is with the wind in your sails. I could spend months out there exploring all there is to see in in this magnificent country.


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