ARRIVAL
Also in theCentre of Croatia many crews are still travellingby car. It is around 700 to 800 kilometres from Munich to the usual charter bases. To get there, you also have to factor in the tolls in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, depending on the route (information e.g. on the Page of the ADAC ). This part of Croatia can also be reached directly with theFlixbus overnight from Munich, for example. Destinations are Zadar, Vodice or Trogir. Duration just under twelve hours, prices sometimes under 40 euros each way.
Most importantAirports for the district areZadar and Split. Flights from many German airports. The taxi transfer to the large bases in Sukosan or Biograd, for example, only takes 15 to 30 minutes from Zadar and costs around 30 to 60 euros. The journey from Split takes around one and a half hours and is therefore considerably more expensive. Alternatively, there are very cheap Croatian buses along the coast, but with many stops.
CHARTER
TheHuge fleet on offer in the region,Focal points are from north to south:Sukosan, Biograd, Murter, Sibenik, Rogoznica, Agana, Trogir and Split. Other locations with smaller fleets are also being added. There has been an oversupply in Croatia for years, whichLow prices and good availability means. Crews therefore have a choice like hardly anywhere else in the Mediterranean. A whole range of companies also have several bases, which alsoOneways possible. There are also often German-speaking base personnel, as many Austrian and German fleet operators are active here, more than anywhere else in southern Europe.
WIND & WEATHER
In the summer months, the wind often blows along the coast of Istria.Maistralalight wind from the northwest. It develops gradually in the morning and reaches the Afternoon mostly 3 to 4 Beaufort;against Evening it falls asleep again relatively quickly. In Istria, however, longer periods of calm or a classic sea breeze are also possible.
Strong winds andStorm theBora from the north-eastwhich can be particularly violent in the early and late season, but is also good for surprises from time to time in summer. Crews should seek shelter in good time if bora is forecast. It often blows in very clear, good weather. Notorious bora jets are the Velebit Channel and the area from Sibenik to Cape Ploca.
From the south blows the so-calledJugowhich almost always means a deterioration in the weather withClouds and rain brings with it. It can also reach gale force, but is considered less gusty than the bora. It is rare in summer and often alternates with the bora in the early and late season. Prolonged jugo bringshigh swellas it has a long approach route across the Adriatic.
The Croatian weather service predicts bora and jugo quite reliably. Otherwise, the usual online or app weather information sites such as Windy.com , Windfinder.com (Pro version!) and others. If the forecast is poor, you should always consult the Croatian forecasts.
NAVIGATION & SEAFARING
The coast of central Dalmatia is characterised by itsmany islands and a whole series of shallows, even if the most dangerous passages are usually emphasised, to themoderately difficult areas. Between some islands, for example Dugi Otok and Kornat (Vela Proversa), there arePassages, in which there may also be a few knots of current. In addition, there are the usualNozzles and cape effectswhich must be taken into account, especially in the case of bora.
There are a large number ofBuoy fieldswhich the state allocates to leaseholders and of which there are now around 70 to 80 throughout the country. Those who use the buoys have to pay, with prices varying from around2 to 5 euros per boat metredepending on the location and popularity of the field. Important: If you want to anchor, you must be at least150 metres distance (previously 250 metres). There are sometimes disputes about this regulation: Some operators also try to charge crews who anchor close to the fields. In such cases, it is better to keep a generous distance from the outset to avoid trouble.
Not allBasic buoy harnesses aredesigned strong enoughand well maintained. In Croatia, the operators are not liable for the condition of the buoys, so you should not blindly rely on them in bad weather.
The following should also be notedKornati National Park and a smaller one at Dugi Otok in the Telascica. Entrance fees must be paid for both. In the Kornati islands these areSignificant feesThey amount to 162 euros per day for a yacht from 11 to 18 metres (2019) if the ticket is purchased on site. Important: If you buy it in advance in licensed marinas or online, you only pay half the price! The current price list can be found at the bottom of the National Park page next to "For Visitors".
Crews can buy tickets in advance online via the Shop page of the National Park buy here.
Another expensiveThe Telascica Bay Nature Parkfrom Dugi Otok. A night here costs around 54 euros for a boat of 11 to 18 metres. Prices and online booking on the Website of the park.
Important in Croatia: Someone from the charter crew must have a Radio licence (SRC or higher), according to the regulations. This does not necessarily have to be the skipper, but it happens from time to time that a charter company requires this. And: If a dinghy is operated with an outboard motor, a person with a licence must sit in it, regardless of how much horsepower it has.
HARBOURS AND ANCHORAGES
In the centre of Croatia you will find the whole spectrum of sunbathing options - there is aDense infrastructurefrom verygood marinassometimes from the large ACI chain, sometimes private. In addition, there are usually somewhat simplerMunicipal harbours andprivate investors of conobas, especially in the Kornati islands.
Mooring fees vary accordingly. The prices for berths are high in the popular marinas, for a twelve-metre boat in the season in popular marinas you pay60 to 90 euros due, Municipal harbours or smaller marinas are 10 to 20 euros less. If you want a place in one of the popular marinas, you need to arrive early or book in advance. This can be done via the website of the AC marina association I or via corresponding port portals such as My Sea. Weekends are more expensive in some ACI marinas.
LITERATURE
Karl-Heinz Beständig, "Croatia - 808 harbours and bays", self-published (Karl-Heinz.Beständig@t-online.de). "Küstenhandbuch Kroatien, Slownien", Edition Maritim, 29.90 euros.
Nautical charts: Sport boat chart set 7: Adriatic 1, Delius Klasing, 59.90, NV-Verlag.
Croatia 1 and 2, 49 euros each, both incl. app use.
Croatian pleasure craft charts: Adriatic set north or south, 69.90 euros.
TERRITORY CHARACTERISTICS
The centre of Croatia, or Dalmatia, is one of the mostmost popular charter destinations in the Mediterranean at all. Short andfavourable journeyaVariety of islands withbeautiful bayspretty island towns and highlights such as theKrka waterfalls or the archipelago of the barren, almost completely bareKornati Islands are also hard to beat. TheDistances between the larger and smaller islandsare low. If you want to, you can always just sail a few hours, eight, ten, maximum fifteen nautical miles to the next cosy jetty or a bay with crystal-clear water for swimming.
What's more, in summer Croatia is a ratherlight windy territory, even if it feels like the number of slack days has decreased significantly in recent years.
Many of the places on the mainland and on the islands are slightlyVenetian featuresofferpretty old towns likeTrogir,Primosten orSibenik. Tourism has grown considerably over the last few years, but in theJuly and Auguston land and also in the bays it will already bereally full.If you want to be sure of a place in the marina, don't arrive too late in the afternoon.
But there are also Retreat optionsthe enormous number ofBays and islands almost always offers an alternative. The criticism sometimes levelled at high marina and restaurant prices can be put into perspective: Yes, there are expensive hotspots such as some konobas in the Kornati islands, harbours like Trogir or Skradin. But if you go out to eat on the mainland or on less crowded islands, for example, you will quickly realise that the price-performance ratio here is significantly better than in Germany. The smallInvestors in front of nice konobaswhich guests are often allowed to use free of charge, and whose often cordial operators many crews have loved for decades.
And while some people may be annoyed by theBuoy fields subject to chargeinterfere with30 to 60 Euro for a twelve-metre shipcan be costly, unsure crews in particular are glad that they exist. Because many charter skippers don't trust their own anchoring skills.
So you will hardly meet any sailors who do not consider Croatia to be one of the top sailing areas, especially as theOversupply of charter yachtsalmost 4000 in the meantime, forlow bareboat prices. If you don't like it so crowded, you should avoid the height of summer, when half of the Italian owners also make their way to Croatia.
The Infrastructurein the harbours has been steadily improving for years; helpful marineros, all boat-related services, restaurants, bars, pools and the like have long been on the rise. But there are alsosimple municipal harbourswhich are significantly cheaper than private marinas.
The bottom line is that Croatia is one of themost versatile areas of the Mediterranean and has something to offer for beginners to experts.
