Seaside or marine national parks are inspirational cruising destinations, and spring is the perfect time to visit these pearls of nature, when summer hubbub is still months away
Spoiled by the beauties of the Croatian Adriatic, we tend to spend our summer months looking for ‘perfect’ coves offering turquoise sea behind our stern and nothing else, well protected from the weather, and if possible, close to the joys of civilizations such as restaurants or shops.
Those coves are few and far between, and recently they are disappearing at the speed of light, with tourists discovering each and every peaceful corner we’ve been happily sailing to all by ourselves for many years.
So much of our summer vacations these days is spent playing hide and seek at sea, escaping to ever more distant coves, ever closer to the open seas, searching for those Robinsonian conditions that we used to enjoy.
We have already given up on the most popular destinations, which are usually overbooked, where every spot on every beach and anchorage is won in a battle, or by booking well in advance, or worst of all, by making a paid reservation. Instead, we focus on hidden corners of the Adriatic that allow us to experience the true essence of the sea, enjoying the peace that comes with being aboard a luxury private yacht.
Your Spring Yacht Escape: The Ideal Route
This year, don’t sail into the sunset looking for distant waters others won’t reach – move your cruise to spring (before the crowds show up, of course), and visit three or four national parks, and the towns near them.
You’ll need either a slightly faster motor boat, or two weeks of free time on a slower yacht or a sailboat. We sincerely hope you can take some time for spring sailing, but if you can’t, our suggested route will still await as a ‘one-way’ package.
Alternatively, we suggest that you cut the route in half, or divide it into two parts and sail it twice; maybe reverse direction, or take our suggestions as loosely as you want to, wandering around this still slightly less crowded part of the Adriatic at your own pace. A yacht charter in Croatia offers unparalleled freedom to explore these destinations.
From Split to Krka: Cities, Canyons and Coastal Calm
If you set sail from Split, the route we suggest will take you west, towards the first national park on our list: the famous Krka National Park. Many yacht tours begin in Split, offering a blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty. If you haven’t visited for a while or if you happen to have guests on board who don’t know the town, leave the first evening free to wander Diocletian’s city and discover what’s new in Split.
If you simply can’t wait to leave Split behind, you can spend your yacht vacation in the serenity of the Šibenik archipelago, between the coves of Žirje and Kaprije, or the centuries-old promenades on Zlarin and Prvić. If you set sail later in the day, the Primošten promenade or the lakeside landscape of Rogoznica are must-see.
Plan to reach Skradin on the second day, after a lovely sail through the St. Anthony Channel and under the Šibenik bridge, then towards Prokljansko Lake and Krka Canyon, visible immediately after passing under the Dalmatina bridge.
We recommend you visit the Krka National Park in the morning, when the crowds are smaller, and maybe spend the afternoon visiting the local wineries in nearby Plastovo. If you want to meet the river Krka in an unusual way, contact Šima Petrović for a private excursion to its upper reaches – there is nothing like it in all of Croatia.
This luxury does not come free, but you will experience the beauty of the national park in a unique. The cave at Skradinski buk is the place to be on Easter Monday, with a mass attended by believers from all over Croatia.
Kornati to Telašćica: Sailing Through the Wild Heart of Dalmatia
Our route takes you farther into the Kornati Islands, and if you ask us, the best way to enter the park is from the east – with a visit to one of the two gastronomic temples in the area: the famous restaurant Opat in the bay of the same name, or the restaurant on the island of Ravni Žakan.
We always enjoy a good climb, especially if it leads to a place with panoramic views – we could spend our entire vacations atop such a hill. From above, the Kornati Islands have a special greenish tone in spring, before young plants quickly turn yellow in the heat.
The next morning, enjoy sailing through the unique group of Kornati islands to the Telašćica Nature Park, where you can see the salt lake Mir, or walk to the tall cliffs (160 m) on the southern coast of Dugi Otok.
From there, the route takes you either west to the very end of Dugi Otok, where many visit the most beautiful bay in Croatia, Sakarun. You can also pass through the Proversa Mala passage and sail north, to visit the town of Zadar.
In addition to being great for a city-break vacation, Zadar is also the perfect starting spot for organized visits to the Paklenica National Park. Contact Marin Marasović at the old town hotel Rajna to experience an unforgettable jeep trip through the rugged area of Southern Velebit.
Islands and Indulgence: The Civilized Side of the Route
After Zadar or Dugi Otok, we love to spend the night on the island of Premuda, looking toward the open sea, while many of our friends prefer the more populated Silba.
Since this is not supposed to be a trip far away from any sign of civilization, we suggest Mali Lošinj as the next destination. You can’t go wrong on Mali Lošinj, with many wellness and gastronomic facilities in Čikat Bay, our favorite spot for high-level gastronomy and a long list of wellness treatments. Another option is the local marina and everything the town of Mali Lošinj has to offer.
This short break away from the national parks will not last too long, as our route takes you to Brijuni, with a possible stop on the special little island of Susak.
Brijuni and Beyond: Where National Parks Meet Luxury
There is no need to reintroduce Brijuni, and as low-key disorganized as they are, they still are a jewel in the crown of Croatian tourism and nice to visit from time to time, especially by yacht or luxury catamaran.
You can wrap up your vacation in Rovinj, with a lovely ACI marina, fantastic hotel amenities and exclusive restaurants, or you can add a day or two and continue to Venice, for the famous La Biennale in May, or the popular and charming yacht show in early June.
Whether you add La Serenissima to your route or drop your anchor in Rovinj, your tour of Croatian national parks at sea is almost complete, with the Mljet National Park waiting across the bow – but that’s a topic for another day.
From Krka waterfalls to Brijuni sunsets, indulge in a tailor-made yacht charter experience designed for those who demand more. Reserve your luxury yacht now and elevate your escape.
Text Darko Šupuk
Photos Boris Kačan, Adobe Stock, Croatian National Tourist Board / Zoran Jelača & Aleksandar Gospić
