LateSail Lowdown: Tips for autumn yacht charters in Croatia

Our Croatian charter company friends, Paško from NCP & Mare in Šibenik and Dragana from SunLife Charter in Split, have given us their recommendations to make your bareboat yacht charter in Croatia the most memorable holiday experience. Below, you can find a local’s view on everything from keeping your costs low to where to eat and what to see, specifically for those travelling out of high season this autumn.

Croatia’s weather in the autumn

Paško says: “October in Croatia can surprise with summer temperatures, warm seas for swimming and flights still running from all major European cities. This month is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet, and good sailing winds. It is less crowded in all the hot spot and you find excellent off-season charter prices for a perfect “value for money“ package.”

Create the perfect itinerary

Dragana says: “Take the time to relax and enjoy Split’s many excellent restaurants and coffee shops. If you are sightseeing, the 1,700 years old city with Diocletian’s Palace in its heart is a favourite.”

Enjoy a morning coffee in some of the bars in Šibenik town centre or along the seaside. Take a walk through the streets in the old town, which are almost 1,000 years old, and admire some of Croatia’s most famous landmarks, such as the UNESCO St. James Cathedral. Take an early morning run on the coastal walking and running path “Setnica” along the beautiful channel of Sv. Ante. You can also find unique and unforgettable concerts or plays among Šibenik’s medieval fortresses, which have been turned into open air theatres.

Sail and discover Croatia

From Split, sail between:

• Bol (Brač) – On the west side you’ll find one of Croatia’s most stunning beaches
• Vrboska (Hvar) – The smallest town on island Hvar, known as ‘’Little Venice’’
• Hvar town – The island is famous for its scented fields of lavender
• Paklinski Islands – A chain of beautiful islands near Hvar
• Rukavac (Vis) – An island surrounded by an archipelago of smaller islands and islets
• Korcula – A historic fortified town with streets arranged in a herringbone pattern

Šibenik’s cruising ground boasts many hidden bays and secluded beaches and you can easily reach the Kornati archipelago national park and Krka river national park. Close to the Kornati archipelago, with over 100 islands, is the must-see destination of Primosten.

The islands of Zlarin and Prvic are perfect as a first or last stop during your charter week. You’ll find plenty of overnight anchorages near Zlarin, Prvic, Kaprije, Zirje, throughout Kornati archipelago or the more southern route along to Primosten. A recommended anchorage is the bay of Vinogradišće on Palmižana, which is sheltered from the winds.

Local restaurants as rated by locals

Paško recommends: “Skradin town, with its ancient history, is a regular gastronomical hot spot and Skradin risotto and Skradin tart are some of the local dishes you have to try. For meat lovers, there are many restaurants offering local lamb and if you want to blend in with locals, try a local dish such as Pasta-fazol or tripice in the Marenda tavern in Šibenik centre. Bibich wine yard offers some of Croatia’s best wines too.”

Try dining at these recommended Croatian restaurants:

• Pelegrini –  a three times winner of Croatia’s best restaurant selection in Šibenik old town centre is always a perfect choice. Booking in advance is recommended
• Opat – restaurant in Kornati archipelago
• Festa – restaurant on island of Zut
• Kamenar  – restaurant in beautiful town of Primosten
• Antonijo – restaurant in town of Rogoznica

How to keep charter costs low

• Book your flights early. You can get to Šibenik easily as we are between Split and Zadar airports, which have low costs airlines such as Ryanair and Germanwings. 
• Make sure you order a transfer from and to the airport through your charterer to get it at a much cheaper price than at the airport.
• Provision in one of the large supermarkets just next to the marina Mandalina, as shops on the island are usually more expensive
• Combine your route with some anchoring but do not forget to recharge batteries by motoring or spending some nights on shore with power provided in marinas or local ports
• Use the free berth in Mandalina marina for the first or the last day (or both)

Find out more

Read our recent guide to late season sailing in Croatia, put together by our General Manager, Dave Watts. We’ve also written a guide to keeping costs down when chartering Croatia. Find information on Šibenik using these links: www.sibenik-tourism.hr and http://www.sibenikplus.com. To request a quote, talk to our team on 01227 479 900 or contact us.