There are so many options available to families that want an adventurous and active holiday and yet still want a comfortable and luxurious experience.
However, there can be few better ways to do this than by enjoying a short summer break sailing the warm blue Adriatic Sea on a crewed luxury catamaran and exploring the luscious-green islands and beautiful villages of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.
Combine this with sunny, fun-filled days enjoying activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling and cycling and you have all the ingredients of an unforgettable water-based adventure for the kids and a unique luxury experience for the adults.
A quick online search will list numerous tour companies offering crewed catamaran sailing holidays around the Dalmatia coast of Croatia and you can also travel independently to Croatia and then hire a yacht and crew from a local operator on the ground.
The catamarans on offer are stunning luxury vessels crewed by experienced and knowledgeable local skippers. They typically come with between 4 and 6 en-suite bedrooms and additional crew accommodation. This means 8 to 12 guests can comfortably stay onboard making it an ideal option for an extended family holiday or for a group of friends holidaying together.
There are always large communal spaces and plenty of outside decking for lounging in the sun and enjoying al-fresco dining. All boats have easy access to the water for swimming and snorkeling.
There is no need to compromise on comfort either as most boats are air conditioned throughout and offer additional features such as LCD TVs and DVD entertainment systems. Wide panoramic windows fill the yacht interiors with plenty of bright light and allow guests to enjoy the spectacular views even from inside the cabin.
Dining options on your cruise will vary with BBQ’s and limited cooking facilities available on board, however, most guests will take advantage of the wonderful and varied restaurants and cafes that dot the waterfronts of the villages and towns where the yachts moor up at night. The skipper will be able to offer plenty of insider tips on the best places to eat throughout your itinerary.
Most sailing itineraries will start from the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik. If you wanted to extend your trip then a few nights before or after your cruise spent in Dubrovnik will allow you to enjoy the many historical attractions and culture of this fascinating walled city.
There are so many beautiful islands and enchanting villages to experience on the Dalmatian Coast and it’s not possible to highlight then all in this article. However, there are a few classic stops that most sailing itineraries will include.
On leaving Dubrovnik, most itineraries will include some time exploring the Elaphiti Archipelago and the smallest inhabited island, Kolocep. The crystal-clear waters here are ideal for snorkelling and paddle boarding. Other frequent island tour stops include Lopud, Sipan and Mljet.
The beautiful and seductive island of Mijet is forever enshrined in Greek mythology as it’s said to be where Odysseus was shipwrecked and imprisoned for seven years. Much of the island is a National Park and has two interconnecting inland seawater lakes surrounded by greenery offering a wonderful place to stop for a refreshing swim.
Another highly popular stop on most itineraries is the Peljesac Peninsula where you will enjoy stunning vistas of the Dinaric Alps, forests and red-roofed towns and villages as you drop anchor and spend the night in a secluded bay. The waters around Peljesac are also ideal for paddle boarding, canoeing, swimming and snorkeling.
Most of the sailing is often in the afternoons, meaning that the mornings can be spent enjoying water sports and activities or exploring the local area, and in the evenings you will have plenty of free time to absorb the culture and cuisine of the small villages and towns where your boat will be moored for the night.
The attractions of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia are unlimited. Your first sailing experience is likely to be with a set itinerary that is designed to showcase the most popular islands, villages and activities. However, the next time you visit will be an opportunity to craft your own itinerary and experience some of the lesser known and more off-the-beaten-track corners for an even more authentic Dalmatian Coast experience.
