Sleepy towns, idyllic anchorages, and unspoiled views—the perfect picture of a yacht charter often differs from reality in popular areas such as Croatia, especially in summer. In addition, fees for moorings, national park entrance fees, and restaurants have increased in many places. Charter professional Sunsail knows where unspoiled and relaxing discoveries still await. One focus is on the Dalmatian coast, for which the company offers a new route suggestion off the beaten tourist track from Marina Agana.
A sailing trip along the Dalmatian coast promises a varied combination of relaxing hours on the water and a variety of cultural and culinary experiences. To further optimize this attractive mix, Sunsail managers have worked with their local skippers to develop a new cruise itinerary that can be booked with Sunsail – or simply followed with your own yacht.
The starting point for the trip away from the largest tourist crowds is Marina Agana, a tranquil place with traditional charm not far from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trogir. The harbor of the former fishing village is dominated by a picturesque, fortress-like building, a former customs tower from the 15th century, which has been restored and converted into a pretty hotel with a restaurant. Agana is a place steeped in history: the settlement was first mentioned in documents as Bosiljina in 1070.
Marina Agana is open all year round and offers 134 berths for sailing yachts up to 25 meters in length overall in water depths of 2.5 to 7 meters, as well as 70 parking spaces on land. North of the old town, across the bridge, there is a large market square where you can buy fruit, vegetables, and all kinds of knick-knacks. Further north, there is a large supermarket where you can do your big shop. Near the supermarket, you will find the fish market, and to the left of it, a boat outfitter.
Day 1 – Fumija Bay, Čiovo Island
After provisioning, the trip begins with a short, approximately one-hour sail to Fumija Bay on the south side of Čiovo Island (about 6 nautical miles). Fumija will not disappoint those who enjoy sipping a cocktail at a beach bar or prefer to dine ashore. Just a few strokes away – or a short dinghy ride if you prefer to stay dry – the crew will find a beach bar and a traditional restaurant just around the corner.
Please note: this anchorage – like the other anchorages mentioned – is dependent on weather and wind conditions. And: at these remote stops, there is no access to electricity, water, or waste disposal – but this means that costs can be reduced and you are surrounded by nature.
Day 2 – Tatinja Bay, Šolta Island
On the second day of the trip, set sail south towards Tatinja, a picturesque bay about 10 nautical miles away on the south side of the island of Šolta (sailing time approx. 2 hours). Here, the crew can enjoy the calm, sheltered waters (note: no protection from winds from the southeast to southwest) or explore the surrounding area. Those who wish to do so can moor at one of the six buoys belonging to the Lonely Paradise restaurant.
Maslinica on the west side of Šolta is a good anchorage stop on this trip. A short ride away by dinghy is the beautifully renovated Martinis Marchi Castle, now a hotel with a high-quality restaurant, and there is a small but well-equipped marina.
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Day 3 – Town of Komiža, island of Vis
After one or two nights in quiet, secluded bays, continue south to the historic town of Komiža on the island of Vis (approx. 4 hours sailing time, about 23 nautical miles). Komiža is known for its traditional fishing village charm and offers an insight into the rich history and culture of the island.
If you wish, you can grab one of the mooring buoys for the night (note: often already occupied in the early afternoon) and enjoy the view of the water. Those who arrive earlier and prefer to moor at a dock can moor here at a small town quay, which is located right next to Komiža’s national cultural treasure – the traditional fishing sailboat ”Gajeta Falkuša”.
Those who prefer a quieter setting can choose to anchor for the night on the north side of the island of Vis, at a place called Okljucna, or just east of it at the three-armed anchorage bay of Gradac.
By the way: the island of Vis, and in particular the town of Komiža, served as the backdrop for the film Mamma Mia! For diving license holders: there are several diving centers here from which you can explore sunken ships from the 18th century or bombers from World War II. Tip for a stopover: the small island of Biševo, only 6 nautical miles from Komiža, is one of the geological wonders of the Adriatic with its caves and sandy beaches.
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Day 4 – Stončica Bay, Island of Vis
From Komiza or the anchorages of Okljucna/Gradac, it takes a maximum of two and a half hours of sailing (max. 14 nautical miles) to reach Stončica at the other, eastern end of the island of Vis. Here you will find a sandy bay surrounded by lush nature. With calm waters and a peaceful atmosphere, it is the perfect place to relax.
At the southern tip of the bay, directly in front of the beach and very close to Konoba Stoncica, which serves products from its own farm, there are six anchor buoys, which are very popular with skippers – arriving early ensures you get one of the sheltered spots.
From here, you can also take a short trip to Stiniva Bay to the south. A narrow, long bay ends with a stone gate that leads to a small bay with a pebble beach surrounded by layered rock walls, once a karst cave that collapsed several thousand years ago. In 2016, Stiniva was declared the most beautiful beach in Europe.
Please note: the lagoon is only accessible by dinghy. There is little room for maneuver in the anchorage area of the bay at a depth of approx. 10 meters.
Day 5 – Zaraće Bay, Hvar Island
Continue northeast towards Hvar. The island offers beautiful bays to spend the night, either at anchor or on buoys. In its cruising tip, Sunsail recommends the bay of Zaraće (about 2 hours sailing time, approx. 13 nautical miles) as a place to get off the beaten tourist (and charter) track.
Protected by a natural stone breakwater in the southwest, there are several mooring buoys in the bay that belong to restaurants. From here, the bustling but picturesque town of Hvar is only 15 minutes away by car (taxi). Please note: the southeast bay is unprotected from the jugo wind, so it is better to seek out a northwest bay.
On the way to the island of Hvar by water, it is worth stopping off at Rogačić Bay on Vis. Background: the island of Vis has a turbulent history and was completely closed to the public until the 1990s. The numerous caves and bunkers on the island, which were built for military purposes, are a reminder of this time.
One of the best-preserved submarine tunnels is located directly in Rogačić Bay, in the western arm of Parja. This is a well-protected spot, although it can get a little uncomfortable when the east wind blows. This is also where the naval bunker is located, in front of which mooring is actually prohibited (but the ban is often ignored). The second well-protected arm is Rogacic, which is located directly to the south. The depth in the bays is between 5 and 8 meters, and the seabed consists of rocks, sand, and seaweed.
Day 6 – Smrka Bay, Island of Brac
From here, the course is set for the northern island of Brač. The southwestern part of the island is dotted with secluded bays that are perfect for overnight anchorage. A Sunsal favorite is Smrka Bay, which only has room for a few yachts and exudes a sense of peace and tranquility (located between the better-known bays of Osibova/Lucice to the west and Blaca to the east). Sailing time: about 3 hours, distance approx. 15 nautical miles).
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There is also an old submarine tunnel to discover here.
An easy hiking trail leads from here to Blaca Monastery – an excellent morning workout to the medieval hermitage carved into the rock with a small museum (closed on Mondays).
Day 7 – Agana base
At the end of the sailing week, we return to the Agana base (approx. 3 hours sailing time, approx. 20 nautical miles). If you wish, you can relax once again at one of the two nearby beaches, enjoy a meal in a restaurant, or take a short trip to the historic towns of Trogir or Split.
In Split, you should visit Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just a short distance from Agana, Trogir offers a fascinating journey into the past with its well-preserved medieval architecture, which is also protected by UNESCO. For history lovers, the Roman ruins of Solin and the breathtaking Krka National Park are a must-see. To really experience them, however, you should plan at least half a day for each.
According to charter company Sunsail, flotilla sailing is also possible from the Marina Agana base. The flotillas have been optimized with “more flexibility,” so that price increases, which are common in many places, can now be “sailed around.”
Interactive sailing map
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All locations and trip stages are marked on the interactive map. (The icon at the top left opens the sidebar, the icon at the top right opens the map in full screen mode).
Tip from the SeaHelp editorial team:
Our SeaHelp app has lots of drone photos, drone videos, and 360-degree images for the trip described, so you can check out many of the bays in advance and plan your trip perfectly.
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