Day 1: Arrive at Kremik
You'll have plenty of time to settle in aboard your yacht prior to leaving to start your adventure!!
Day 2: Zirje Luka Zirje
Zirje is the largest of the islands lying off the Adriatic coast near Sibenik, but it still measures only 11 km by 2.5 km (6 ˝ miles by 1 ˝ miles). The coastline of the island has a number of sheltered anchorages easily visited on your yacht charter. The main village, called Zirje Luka is a traditional and authentic fishing village that has changed little in hundreds of years and has only a few small shops. Life goes on here as it has done for centuries, entirely unaffected by tourism. About a kilometre's walk away from here lies the island's principal port of Luka Muna from where the ferry to the mainland runs.Yachts can tie up on the quayside where there is a single restaurant catering to visiting charterers. Uval Stupica Vela is the island's most popular anchorage as it is well sheltered and very scenic - an idyllic spot to while away a few quiet hours. There are other anchorages at Uvala Tratinska and Uvala Mikavica, the latter a deserted inlet with a quay used by the odd tripper boat and visiting charterer during the summer months.
Mooring: In Luka Muna, bow or stern-to on the south-west quayside, beyond the pier. The bottom is sand. At Uvala Stupica Vela and Uvala Tratinska anchor in appropriate depth and take a line ashore. At Uvala Stupica Vela, the bottom is sand with patches of stone and weed and considered unreliable. At Uvala Mikavica, anchor in 5 metres (16 feet) or go bow or stern-to on the pier.
To Do: Visit the authentic fishing village of Zirje Luka. Relax in a secluded anchorage
Facilities: Basic provisions - Restaurant
Day 3: Prvic Luka, Prvic
Sail through St Anthony's Channel, a narrow, cliff-lined waterway which leads from the bay of Sibenik out into the open sea to the island of Prvic. At the far end of the channel lies the sixteenth century St Nicholas' Fortress, a monumental triangular gun battery placed here by Venetian engineers to keep enemy shipping away from Sibenik's port. The island of Prvic is surrounded by crystal clear waters. There is no mass tourism here and the island's few small fishing villages do a good job of catering for the few independent travellers and weekending Croatians that make their way here to enjoy the peace and quiet. Prvic Luka is the main settlement on the island of Prvic. There's a sleepy air about the village, which has some imposing historic buildings. The parish church has an eccentric collection of Baroque alter-pieces and there's a museum devoted to the work of local hero Faust Vrancic, humanist and all-round brain-box, displaying models of the contraptions (suspension bridges, parachutes, wind-powered flour mills with rotating roofs - that kind of thing!) that he dreamt up in his book of inventions, Machinae Novae. The best beach on the island is at Sepurine, an attractive and beautifully preserved fishing village spread beneath a mushroom-topped church tower. The beach is a wonderful curvaceous bend of shingle stretching south from the village.
Mooring: Bow or stern-to on the breakwater, pick-up lines are provided. There are depths of 3 metres (9 feet) alongside. If there is no room, anchor north-west of the breakwater in 6 metres (20 feet). The bottom is mud and the holding is good.
To Do: Visit the museum. Go to the beach at Sepurine
Facilities: Water - Provisions - Bars and restaurants
Day 4: Skradin
The small town of Skradin lies on the Krka River and is the best place from which to visit the Krka National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and an exploration of which is one of the major highlights of a yacht charter here. Although the park stretches the length of the Krka Valley between the towns of Knin and Skradin,the section of the park that is located just east of Skradin is one of the most beautiful and the one towards which most visitors gravitate.The river descends through Skradin Falls - a sequence of seventeen mini-waterfalls cascading over barriers of travertine behind which lie pools fringed with reeds and semi-submerged forest - before flowing through a picturesque canyon to the town. National park boats ferry visitors to the falls from Skradin and if you want to explore the upper reaches of the park it's a good idea to start off early in the morning. A network of wooden walkways leads you above the gurgling waters and through thick vegetation.
Swimming is permitted in one of the pools near the boat landing so be sure to bring your swimming costumes. You will definitely want to spend a full day here. Skradin itself is a pretty village of stone houses with a marina situated in one of the inlets off the river. The Visitors' Centre for the park is located in the town and there is a string of restaurants along the waterfront, a couple of which (Bonaca and Cantinetta) are said to be outstanding.
Mooring: Tie up at the marina, as directed. Alternatively, anchor in one of the three bays on the opposite side of the river for a few hours during the day but not overnight. Depths here range from 2 - 5 metres (6 - 16 feet), the bottom is mud and the holding generally good.
To Do: Visit the Krka National Park
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Showers and toilets - Laundry service - Bars and restaurants - Provisions - Fruit and vegetable market
Day 5: Primosten
Primosten is a pleasant holiday resort on a small island joined to the mainland by a causeway, lying 20 km south of Sibernik and was originally surrounded by walls to protect the inhabitants from the Turks. The walls are now gone and Primosten is the kind of place where you could rest up quite happily for a day or two, kicking back and doing nothing much at all.
The coastal path - Lungomare - that circles the island meanders through the wooded promontory on the north shore and offers glimpses of swanky holiday villas and sweeping sea views. The beaches are pebbly, but the water that surrounds them is pristine and clear and the swimming is excellent. Primosten has a number of good restaurants - seafood is predominant and the sharing platter at Grgur Ninskog comes highly recommended. Be sure to try a bottle of the local Primosten red wine - Babic.
One of the best known nightclubs in central Dalmatia - Aurora - is a couple of kilometres outside town and brings in guest DJs from around Europe over the summer months. Primosten is popular with visiting charterers for good reason and you are bound to find a good coterie of fellow yachties to while away some time with on a Primosten yacht charter - perhaps over a bottle of Babic?
Mooring: Primosten has two small harbours. Tie up bow or stern-to either the outer harbour wall in 3 metres (9 feet) using the pick-up lines provided or to the inner quay in 2 metres (6 feet). Alternatively, you can anchor between the two harbours in 6 metres (20 feet) but be aware that the holding is unreliable. The marina at nearby Kremik is another option.
To Do: Chill out. Walk around the island on the Lungomare
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Fuel - Public toilets - Provisions - Fruit and vegetable market - Bars and restaurants
Day 6: Vodice
The small town of Vodice lies on the coast of the mainland to the north of Otok Prvic. It's the major resort in the area, attracting large numbers of foreign visitors. The town developed in the sixteenth century and later the town was enclosed by a defensive wall with fortified towers, of which one remains standing. The town has an aquarium which is worth a visit and there's a pleasant walk to be taken to the sleepy fishing village of Tribunj, about 3 km (2 miles) away. Tribunj is an attractive huddle of houses and is famous for its annual donkey races, which take place on August 1st each year. Nearby Sibenik is the main town of middle Dalmatia.It began as an eleventh century Croatian fortress and its maze-like medieval centre feels as if it has changed little in hundreds of years. Its cathedral is said to be one of the finest architectural monuments on the Mediterranean.
Mooring: Bow or stern-to one of the pontoons in the marina, as directed.
To Do: Visit the aquarium, Take a trip to Sibenik
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Fuel - Showers and toilets - Laundry - Provisions - Internet cafe
Day 7 & 8: Free Sailing
What do you want to do today? You can put your sailing skills to the test and go for a big sailing adventure, sail to a secluded bay for some lunch, go to the nearest town for a spot of shopping, or simply relax where you are, it's entirely up to you.
Day 9: Trogir
The old town of Trogir is built on an oval-shaped island squeezed between the mainland and the larger island of Ciovo. Unbelievably picturesque, a cluster of palaces, belfries and cobbled streets fans out from the central square making a visit here one of the highlights of a Trogir yacht charter. You enter the old town via the Land Gate and the main street, Gradska, leads to St Lawrence's Cathedral, a squat Romanesque structure began in 1213 and only completed some three hundred years later.
It is considered to be one of the finest on the Adriatic. If you're feeling energetic, climb to the top of the soaring Venetian Gothic tower for exceptional views out over the town. The cathedral's most notable feature is its west portal, carved by the Slav master-mason Radovan in 1240. The former bishop's palace houses a display of religious art drawn from the churches of the town. Stop at one of the many cafes along the Riva, Trogir's seafront promenade, for a cold drink and to watch the world go by. You'll be spoilt for choice on a Trogir yacht charter when it comes to eating out as the town has dozens of restaurants tucked away in the courtyards of the old town.
Mooring: Bow or stern-to in the marina as directed. If the marina is closed to visiting yachts, tie up alongside the town quay, avoiding the ferry berth.
To Do: Explore the historic old town
Facilities: Water - Fuel - Electricity - Showers and toilets - Laundry - Provisions - Daily fruit and vegetable market - Internet Cafe
Day 10: Milna, Brac
The island of Brac - known as the sunny island - is one of the most picturesque in Croatia. Away from the coast, the landscape of the island's interior is starkly beautiful, dotted with olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees. The island is a major source of prized white limestone, some of which was used in the construction of the White House.
On the south coast of the island is the mountain of Vidova Gora, which at 778 metres (2552 feet) is the highest on any of the Adriatic islands. On a clear day, those who manage the climb to the top may be rewarded with views all the way across the sea to Italy. The harbour at Milna on the west coast is the most sheltered on the island and was the base of the Russian Adriatic fleet in 1807. Before that, it was an important harbour for the Venetian fleet. It's a delightful, picture-postcard port that curves around a deep bay, with a few cafes and restaurants along the harbour-front and the narrow streets of the old village climbing up the hill from the shore.
Milna is a good place to leave your boat whilst catching the ferry to Split, or exploring the island of Brac. The beach at Bol, a fishing village on the south coast, is spectacular and there are other attractive beaches at Supetar on the north coast. The island of Brac has excellent watersports facilities and those who like to snorkel and scuba-dive will find plenty of opportunities to explore the underwater life of the island. Bol is also renowned for its nightlife.
Mooring: Milna has two marinas. Moor as directed by marina staff, bow or stern-to on the main quay is preferable to the quay opposite the fish cannery - the ACI and Vlaska.
To Do: Climb Vidova Gora, Visit the spectacular beach at Bol, Snorkelling and scuba-diving
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Fuel - Provisions - Showers and toilets - Bars and restaurants
Day 11: Hvar and Hvar Town
The air on the island of Hvar is filled with the scent of lavender, the island's main crop, which covers the land in a spongy grey-blue cloak every spring. Hvar is a beautiful island - a slim, green slice of land punctured by jagged inlets and a steep central ridge streaked with long grey lines of limestone.
Hvar Town is the island's capital and a well-preserved historic town. Its development as a tourist resort has been sensitive and tasteful. The grainy-white and brown buildings of the baroque-style harbor-front follow the contours of the bay, with pine and palm trees squeezed into every nook and cranny. The medieval town is largely pedestrianized and has an elegant air about it.
After Dubrovnik, Hvar Town is the most fashionable of the Adriatic resorts amongst the Croats themselves, with plenty in the way of boutiques. In early evening you really must grab a seat at one of the cafes that surround the harbor and spend an hour or two watching the people wanting to "see and be seen". Later on, you'll see the same people in one of Hvar Town's chic nightclubs.
In terms of sight-seeing, visit the town's cathedral, wander through the streets of Groda - the grid of narrow lanes that backs up the hillside north from the main square, climb to the Citadel and visit the Franciscan monastery.
Mooring: Bow or stern-to the yacht quay if there is room. Alternatively, anchor in the bay or berth at the ACI marina in Palmizana and take a water taxi across to Hvar Town.
To Do: See and be seen, Shopping, Lively nightlife
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Fuel - Provisions - Bars and restaurants
Day 12: Free Sailing
What do you want to do today? You can put your sailing skills to the test and go for a big sailing adventure, sail to a secluded bay for some lunch, go to the nearest town for a spot of shopping, or simply relax where you are, it's entirely up to you.
Day 13: Rogoznica
Rogoznica lies to the south of Primosten and boasts one of the finest modern marinas on the Adriatic. The village is built on an island and was founded in the 16th century - it is now connected to the mainland by a causeway. The harbour and anchorage are in a sheltered, landlocked basin with wooded surroundings while Marina Frapa has been constructed on the mainland shore to the west of the village. With its wealth of facilities, it'll come as no surprise to learn that Rogoznica is very popular with visiting yachts, the marina offering charterers an infusion of luxury and comfort. The coastline of the island has a number of places ideal for a swim. With a good range of eating and drinking options, a convivial day or two spent here just soaking up the fine weather and good company is something to look forward to. There are bus links to Split, Sibenik and Zagreb if you are of a mind to explore Croatia further.
Split in particular is a fabulous city with much to interest the visitor, including an extraordinary Roman palace built for the Emperor Diocletian in AD300 or thereabouts, much of which still stands today and is a unique example of late Roman architecture. Diocletian's mausoleum, now the city's cathedral, is little altered from its original condition. Split also has a fascinating Nautical Museum, housed in the early baroque Milesi Palace.
Mooring: In the marina as directed. Alternatively, tie up bow or stern-to the quay on the west side of Rogoznica avoiding the berth used by the fishing boats. You can anchor either west or northwest of the village avoiding the moorings and the rocky area but be aware that the holding is unreliable. You can also anchor and take a line ashore to the east side of the island, but the depths are greater (10 - 12 metres, 32 - 39 feet).
To Do: Take a bus trip to Split, Relax, Swim
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Toilets - Showers - Laundry - Provisions - Fruit and vegetable market - Bars and restaurants
Day 14: Return to Kremik
Take part in a fun regatta back to Kremik, before enjoying your farewell party.
