A thousand of Islands and the crystal sea are waiting for the cruisers

The Croatian coast is not just a natural beauty; there is the superb food, excellent wine, earn and hospitable people, and above all the “vibes” like nowhere else in the world. Croatia is offering this and much more, but if your idea of good time is shunning the usual crowdy and noisy vacations, the sailling along this alluring coast with hundreds of scattered islands and remote coves is closest to the perfect escape in the manner of Robinson Crusoe. In the Adriatic, only sky (an the sea!) is the frontier!

Whether you are a seasoned sailor with thousands of blue miles under your hull or an adventurous holidaymaker who has decided to go sailing for the first time, Croatia will welcome you with open arms and a sunny smile.

With well over a thousand islands (the vast majority of them completely uninhabited and yours to explore), an intriguing coastline, beautiful Mediterranean towns and villages, excellent wind conditions and, best of all, hundreds of miles of crystal clear sea to sail on, the Croatian side of the Adriatic is indisputably Europe’s hot-spot for nautical holidays. With its reliable winds, excellent and ever-improving marina facilities and sheltered harbours, sailing around Croatia’s coastline is an enticing and unique experience.

The Croatian coast is not only about the beauty of nature; it is also about delicious food, excellent wine, warm and hospitable people and, last but not least, a vibe that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Just imagine having your first morning coffee in a seafront café - only a few steps from where your yacht is moored - relaxing under the morning sun and watching the world slowly go by. Then sail away to a secluded cove, dive into the pristine water and enjoy the hypnotic sound of crickets in the summer heat.

Sail back to the port and spend your evening sampling the freshest, most delicious fish and seafood you have ever had. You finish your day by doing as the locals do - taking a slow evening stroll down the promenade of the small town you have just moored in. Not bad, is it?

Croatia offers all this and so much more, but if your idea of a good time is to escape the usual holiday hustle and bustle, sailing this magnificent coast with its hundreds of rugged islands and hidden bays is as close as it gets to the perfect Robinson Crusoe getaway. The sky (and sea!) is the limit on the Adriatic!

Unless you are one of the lucky few that already have your own floating beauty pleasantly moored in one of Croatia’s many picturesque marinas, you will need to charter a boat locally if you wish to set sail in this fascinating part of Europe. Due to the enormous growing interest in the Croatian coastline among sailors from all over the world, the number of boats available for charter is increasing every year; at present there are over 150 charter companies with nearly 3,000 registered charter sailboats in the country. Home to some 50 marinas, Croatia has an impressive capacity of over 13,000 sea berths and about 4,500 dry berths.

The full article can be found on pages 68-71 of January 2007 issue.