As more travellers seek immersive, hobby-led holidays and with the yacht training service market expected to grow 7.3% year-on-year over the next seven years, sailing is fast becoming one of the most rewarding ways to explore the Mediterranean.
In light of this, Sunsail’s on-the-ground experts in Croatia are lifting the lid on their insider tips and ‘secret sailing hacks’ to help sailors progress faster and sail smarter in Croatia.
It comes as online searches for ‘mediterranean sailing’ have soared 181% in the last three months, while ‘yacht holidays in Croatia’ have risen 84% over the same period – signalling the region’s rise as a top destination to sharpen sailing skills.
With its gentle winds, sunny coastlines, and quiet bays for anchorage, Croatia is an ideal environment for first-time sailors and those looking to develop their experience.
Drawing on a lifetime of sailing experience and over two decades of industry knowledge, Mirna Jaksic, Sunsail’s Agana Flotilla and Events Manager, and Keith Harvey, Sunsail’s Dubrovnik Base Manager, reveal their insider advice – from reading the weather, knowing your yacht, and how to skip the fuel queues for extra sailing time.
Get to know your boat before leaving the marina, as it can be more technical than you think
Modern yachts are becoming more technologically advanced, so understanding onboard systems and how to operate them is essential to travelling safely and smoothly.
Keith Harvey, Sunsail Base Manager in Dubrovnik, says: “It’s now crucial sailors familiarise themselves with the technical briefing documents prior to boarding (whether travelling on a bareboat or flotilla). While a briefing will also be provided at check-in, learning the ins and outs of your boat, from anchoring systems and navigation to electrics and refuelling, can help avoid any unnecessary stress on the water.”
Sunsail is also increasingly encouraging guests to engage with safety briefing cards, red zone charts (where extra caution may be required), and proposed routes to help better plan their trip. A combination of digital and on-the-ground training ensures sailors can build confidence early on and reduce any onboard issues.
Learn to read the weather and don’t just rely on one platform
While generally known for its calmer, more predictable weather, wind conditions in Croatia can still vary across routes and sailing distances. One of the biggest shifts from a beginner to a more competent sailor is how to understand these conditions and plan passages around optimal sailing windows – when to sail longer legs vs when to remain anchored.
Both Keith and Mirna recommend using a combination of forecasting and real-time weather platforms, including VHF radio broadcasts, apps such as PredictWind and Windy, and local tools like Windguru and official Croatian forecasts. Familiarise yourself with these tools before travelling to ensure you really understand how they work and report. And always be prepared to be flexible. You may have to switch up your itinerary if the weather isn’t on your side.
Understanding how wind direction can impact anchorage is a valuable skill
Croatia’s coastline provides an ideal training ground for anchorages. We are now seeing more sailors choosing to avoid busy marinas in Croatia in favour of secluded coves and quieter bays. But with this, the skills required for a good anchorage can differ. The art of mastering a good anchorage in these areas starts in choosing the right spot – checking depth, seabed type (the most ideal is sand), and leaving some space for swimming.
However, even experienced sailors often overlook the impact of wind direction and potential overnight changes (local winds like Bura can shift conditions quickly), so always ensure you look ahead before deciding where to anchor.
Mirna Jaksic, Flotilla and Events Manager in Agana, says: “Sailors are increasingly looking to anchor away from busy marinas so they can enjoy the serenity of the water, but are prioritising being close to the smaller towns and all their history.
“For more advanced sailors, we are directing them to the Northern area of Croatia, to explore the Telašćica Nature Park or Dugi Otok. You don’t really have to plan too much in these areas – you can pop your anchor down or pick up a mooring ball, as there is more availability. In the future, these are going to become more sought-after areas.”
Mirna shares Sunsail’s ‘secret sailing hacks’ in Croatia
How to skip the fuel queues for extra time on the water
High-season in Croatia can often mean long queues to refuel – sometimes up to four hours. And because most yacht charter trips run from Saturday to Saturday, there is a natural refuelling cycle with an influx of crews and skippers topping up on Thursdays, ready for the next trip. Therefore, Mirna recommends purchasing the prepaid fuel package. Not only does it save precious time, which can give sailors nearly an additional full day on the water, but it also means popular destinations are often slightly quieter on a Thursday. Some good places to visit during this time include:
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Vis Island
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Hvar Town
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Stari Grad Town (Old Town) – you can sail into Stari Grad at 5pm or 6pm in the afternoon, because there is no rush like earlier in the week when everybody else is there.
Rethinking the time of year to sail
We’re seeing a shift in booking patterns in Croatia, with demand for September and October increasing significantly year-on-year. With tourism in towns and beaches remaining at its peak in July and August, the shoulder season can be particularly appealing for sailors who want quieter routes and fewer crowds inland. During these months, weather conditions can be more favourable for avid sailors, with less intense summer thermal winds, milder air temperatures, and greater flexibility with itineraries given reduced pressure on marina space and moorings.
Eat on board to save costs and enhance the sailing experience
With pricing front of mind for guests, eating out can feel more like a luxury than a necessity. Mirna suggests guests make the most of onboard cooking. Sunsail yachts are fully equipped with built-in grills, so we recommend shopping locally (to make the most of local towns) and preparing food onboard to enjoy more time at the anchor. The experience becomes less about dining out each night and more about making the most of the yacht, the waters, and pretty bays.
Combine sailing and time onshore with a visit to Croatia’s breathtaking hiking trails
Little do travellers know, but Croatia is renowned for its hiking trails and breathtaking natural landscapes – all directly accessible from many bays and coastal towns. On Brač Island, for example, you can hike to a hermit monastery. Hvar Island has good hiking trails from its bays and towns, with lots of little churches on the peaks, and the Skywalk Biokovo Panoramic vistas of the Makarska Riviera and Adriatic islands have a horse-shoe shaped glass walkway extending from a cliff edge at 1,228 meters above sea level.
Why Croatia is one of the best places to learn to sail: Agana Sailing School
Based in the heart of Croatia, Sunsail’s Agana Sailing School offers hands-on, practical courses for those new to sailing or looking to build on existing skills. Covering RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses sailors can explore the magnificent cruising grounds of the Dalmatian Coast whilst experiencing real sailing conditions with RYA-accredited instructors guiding everything from boat handling to navigation and passage planning.
Mirna says: “Our sailing school creates a natural progression for sailors and is a great start into the sailing community. You might begin your sailing journey with a Skipper, then return to complete a Competent Crew or Flotilla Starter course. For those with sailing experience looking to develop their knowledge and gain additional qualifications, the Day Skipper course can help you set sail on our bareboat charters with confidence.
“One thing to remember before starting our practical courses is to come prepared. Do your homework, do your theory, and know what you need to bring on board.”
Sunsail’s Agana Sailing School runs from April to November. If you’d like to book, please call: 0330 029 4267.
