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Guide to Family Sailing Vacations in Croatia

8 min

Ready to trade the usual family trip for something truly unforgettable? Imagine calm, crystalline waters and ancient island history unfolding right before your eyes. In Croatia, Sunsail helps you turn family time into incredible shared experiences. With short, easy sails and a mix of adventure and culture, Croatia is a brilliant family sailing destination and the perfect way to connect with your crew, no matter their age.

From the best family-friendly places to sail in Croatia, to our top tips for sailing around the Adriatic with kids, we have created a Croatia family sailing vacation guide to make planning your next charter stress-free.

At a glance

Why choose a family yacht charter in Croatia?

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Family yacht charters in Croatia offer countless opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture, explore stunning islands, spend quality time together, and make incredible memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are seven reasons you should set sail around Croatia as a family for your next vacation:

  1. Croatia offers a diverse range of activities, ideal for multi-generational vacations. Whether you’re sailing with young kids or grandparents, there’s something to enjoy for everyone, from exploring historical sites to snorkeling.
  2. Comprising over 1,000 islands, islets and reefs, sailing around Croatia as a family promises an adventure like no other. Discover hidden coves, uninhabited islands and incredible beaches on islands such as Vis, Hvar, Mljet and Korčula.
  3. With line-of-sight navigation and short sailing distances between islands, say goodbye to the classic question, “are we there yet?”
  4. Renowned for its exceptional visibility, calm tides, and smooth cruising conditions, the Adriatic Sea is a fantastic sailing location for families. Swim, snorkel, sail and have endless fun in Croatia’s gorgeous waters.
  5. Croatia is one of the most culturally and historically rich sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. Explore Medieval walled cities, Roman ruins, and a plethora of sensational UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  6. The marinas around Croatia are world-class, and have everything you need for an idyllic family yacht charter, from well-stocked grocery stores to showers, restaurants and local stores.
  7. Croatia has sunny skies, warm temperatures and gentle sailing conditions, particularly during the summer months, when families are more likely to set sail.
J0nah Agana

“Two weeks with back to back Krka and Hvar flotillas, both highly recommended. Doing both enables the icing on the cake over the free weekend – a trip to the very beautiful island of Vis, which was a real highlight (not least because we had a fast reach both ways). Superb scenery, great food and a very different atmosphere to other islands.”

“Lead skippers Michael and Adam were highly professional, patient and good natured. India the hostie was very attentive and personable, mature beyond her years. Kieran, the “fixer of problems” was also attentive and good company. All great assets for Sunsail.”

“Our monohull was generally well maintained and sailed well. We have had issues on past flotillas (not all Sunsail) with dinghy engines, and this trip was unfortunately no exception. We think this is quite an important safety issue as very often the first use of a dinghy is free sailing alone, going off to a restaurant at night. Also, we think couples should be prioritised with lighter dinghy engines (2 stroke or electric) as 4 stroke engines are very heavy for ageing couples to move off the boat transom.”

“Finally, we’d just highlight that boat moorings and even buoys are extremely expensive in Croatia relative to other sailing areas. I don’t think Sunsail had made this sufficiently clear in advance. As a general rule, we favour wilder overnight destinations on flotilla holidays over marina and town quays – for example the final night of the Hvar flot was a raft at a restaurant in Sesula Bay – very enjoyable indeed, and free provided you eat onshore.”

“Marina Agana is a lovely place to start and finish a flotilla – there’s a very nice beach opposite the marina, with a laid back beach bar. Both Uber and Bolt taxi apps work well – we paid just €20 each way.”

“Overall, strongly recommended.”
117emmaa Agana

“We had a wonderful charter sailing experience in Croatia. This was our first yacht charter and we found the Sunsail team incredibly helpful. We sailed bareboat but the base crew were really supportive throughout the experience. Sunsail were very helpful in suggesting routes and different anchorages & marinas. Our yacht was in great condition particularly considering we visited end of August, at the end of the busiest period of the season. The Dalmatian coast is stunning and this area was perfect for a first charter. We can’t wait to charter again and will definitely use Sunsail for our next experience!”
bryonye692 Agana

“What a brilliant week on the water. Despite the various weather elements of our week in the Med, we had a wonderful week onboard our sunsail yacht. We were so well looked after by our lead crew of Finn, Fintan and Elle – with great humour and spirit – alongside superbly helpful harbor briefs, technical know-how, sailing support and wonderfully organised restaurant and mooring bookings. When our yacht had a engine failure, the spritely Fintan was sent across and as he worked his way through the problem, we found him a delight to have on board. All was ok in the end and it simply made for more adventure stories of being towed, nudged up river by tenders and using the sails with urgent meaning!”
cuffsy Agana

“Adam, Jesse and Becky made the trip. Their professionalism and ability to get all boats in the flotilla engaged was amazing. Thanks”
413susannahb Agana

“We had the most incredible week in Croatia with Sunsail. In addition to our fabulous lead crew, consisting of Finn, Elle and Hrvojie we also had the fantastic Tadek as our skipper. I was genuinely blown away but how great they all were. Finn, Elle and Hrvojie were great fun, incredibly helpful and just fab to be around. Tadek was second to none! He fitted into our family perfectly, was a joy to have on board whilst at the same time making sure we were all learning. I can’t speak of them all highly enough. Thanks all for genuinely adding to our family holiday and making it genuinely so fabulous!”
Cosmopolitan391075 Agana

“This was our 3rd flotilla with Sunsail and it couldn’t have been better. We sailed the 2 week Vis flotilla and it was absolutely amazing. Our boat (Still Dreaming – 38.2) was just perfect for the 2 of us. The first week took us to the Krka National Park and was superb, with some different experiences with the route up to Skradin being amazing. The middle weekend allowed us to travel to Vis which is such a lovely island and thoroughly recommended (especially at a weekend when it’s quieter). For our second weekend we sailed round Solta, Brac & Hvar stopping at some really lovely spots and picking up some really nice wind in between.
We can’t thank our lead crew enough. Finn, Elle, and Mario (first week), and Hrvoje (2nd week), were absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I’ve come across a more cool or calm skipper as Finn, so knowledgeable, helpful, and a joy to be around (love his laugh 😍). Elle….what can I say….such a delightful host, bubbly, helpful, professional with a ‘nothings ever too much trouble attitude’….such a credit to the Sunsail team…well done Elle ❤️. Mario & Hrvoje were always there straight away if you needed them although our boat was pretty faultless so we didn’t really need to call on them much. Thankyou all.
We had such an amazing holiday and would not hesitate to recommend Sunsail or our lead Crew…brilliant.
Already started looking at options for the next trip the day we got back 😃”

Where are the best places to sail in Croatia as a family?

Dubrovnik

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Dubrovnik is a treasure trove for families who enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of bustling cities, offering a spectacular fusion of history, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Everywhere you turn, you’ll be met by charming cobbled streets, friendly locals, museums, enchanting buildings and historical ruins.

For families who love watching movies and TV shows together, you’ll be transported into some of your favorite worlds when you visit Dubrovnik, as it was a filming location for parts of Game of Thrones and Star Wars.

While Dubrovnik itself is a hub of activity, short sailing passages mean you can easily escape the crowds whenever you want and relax on beautiful islands, such as Korčula and Šipan.

Perfect for sociable families looking to learn, explore and discover, Dubrovnik is a Croatian gem.

Agana

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If you’re looking for a relaxing family yacht charter in Croatia, away from the crowds, you’ll fall in love with Agana. While it’s quiet, serene and relatively undiscovered, Agana is just a stone’s throw from some of Croatia’s most popular hotspots such as Split, so you can still enjoy the best of both worlds.

Agana is also home to some of the best beaches in Croatia, where you can spend your days relaxing, unwinding and soaking up the sun. One of the must-visit beaches is Prališće Beach, with crystal-clear waters, a mixture of deep and shallow water great for snorkeling, and brilliant facilities such as a cafe bar, showers and parking.

Ideal for families with very young kids who may not cope with big crowds, Agana is a tranquil sailing paradise.

Discover more of the best places to sail in Croatia

What are the best things to do on a family yacht charter in Croatia?

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Whether you want to switch off and unwind on beautiful beaches, explore the dazzling reefs below the surface of the Adriatic, or experience authentic local cuisine, there are a range of brilliant things to do on a family yacht charter in Croatia.

Here our our must-do activities in Croatia when you set sail as a family:

  • Sail to tiny Bisevo Island, near Vis, and discover the Blue Cave. A must-visit for any family sailing vacation, this natural sea cave is renowned for radiating enchanting blue light.
  • Sail to Lokrum and spend the day wandering around the incredible botanical garden, exploring the abandoned monastery, and climbing to the top of the old fort for some of the best views of Croatia.
  • Discover some of the best snorkeling spots in Dubrovnik, including Betina Cave, an extensive underwater cave system ready to be explored. Once you’ve discovered the cave, relax and unwind on the stunning beach, renowned for being one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik.
  • For an atmospheric family experience, wander around Dubrovnik Old Town, immersing yourself in local culture and learning about Croatia’s rich history.
  • If you’re a foodie family, head to one of the many delicious restaurants in Croatia and taste authentic local dishes, such as Crni Rižot (black risotto) or Pašticada.
  • Island hop around Croatia and explore the exceptional beaches on Brač Island. One of our favorite beaches for families is Zlatni Rat Beach as there are lifeguards present so you have peace of mind that there’s an extra pair of eyes keeping your children safe.
  • Take a look at our Dubrovnik and Agana sailing itineraries to uncover more family-friendly things to do and learn why Croatia is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.
Trogir, Croatia

7 Day Agana Bareboat Itinerary – North

Set sail on an enchanting week-long adventure to Croatia’s Northern Islands, where history, natural beauty, and tranquil waters converge. This itinerary takes you through secluded bays, picturesque towns, and the breathtaking Kornati National Park, offering the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.

View Itinerary
Croatia Family Sailing Vacation Guide

7 Day Agana Bareboat Itinerary – South

Enjoy a Croatian yacht charter vacation along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast. Out in the Adriatic, calm morning winds give way to stronger breezes in the afternoon, while a mixture of short island hops and longer periods of blue water sailing provide ideal conditions for sailors of all abilities.

View Itinerary

What is the best type of yacht charter for families in Croatia?

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The best part about setting sail on a family yacht charter in Croatia with Sunsail, is that you have the freedom to create your perfect vacation. Choose everything, from your charter type to yacht model and itinerary.

For adventurous families looking for a fun challenge, take the helm on a bareboat charter and navigate yourselves around Croatia’s incredible islands. 

If you want a blend of relaxation and adventure, hire a skipper for part of your family sailing vacation. You can play games up on deck, while your dedicated skipper sails your yacht around the Adriatic. 

And for the sociable families looking for the ultimate shared experience, our Sunsail Flotillas are a perfect fit. You’ll join a welcoming ‘mini-fleet’ of fellow sailors, led by our expert crew – including skippers, hostesses, and even activities coordinators during school breaks. There’s still plenty of freedom to choose where you explore and the activities you do, but with the added bonus of making new friends, and having the expertise of our experienced crew.

Explore our charter types and start planning your family sailing vacation in Croatia today.

Tips for sailing in Croatia with kids

People swimming with inflatables next to sailing boat in Croatia

Our top tips for sailing in Croatia with kids include:

Book your Croatia family yacht charter with Sunsail

Croatia

There’s truly no better feeling than setting sail around the majestic islands of Croatia with your family, creating unforgettable memories. Whether you’re exploring the Adriatic with kids, parents or distant family, there’s something for every type of traveler on a family sailing vacation in Croatia.

Ready to discover Croatia’s treasures aboard your stylish catamaran or classic monohull? Choose which of our Croatia sailing bases you want to cast off from and build a quote today.

Will you embrace the lively city buzz of Dubrovnik and island hop around the iconic Elaphiti islands? Perhaps your family prefers to take a quiet, slower pace on vacation, and would enjoy the peace and tranquility of Agana.

Wherever you choose to explore, Sunsail will be with you every step of the way to ensure your charter is smooth-sailing.

FAQs

When is the best time to sail around Croatia as a family?

The best time to sail around Croatia as a family is during summer vacation, when kids won’t have school and the Mediterranean experiences its peak sailing season. You’ll enjoy stunning temperatures, fantastic sailing conditions, and it’s when Croatia is at its liveliest, so children will have lots of opportunities to make new friends.

If you’re not traveling with kids, you can visit during April-May or September-October, where you’ll be met with fewer crowds and lower costs but still the same brilliant weather and sailing conditions.

Learn more about when to sail Croatia.
How much does a family yacht charter in Croatia cost?

The cost of a family sailing vacation in Croatia will differ depending on a number of factors, including:

  • Which of our sailing bases you cast off from
  • How long you want your yacht charter to be
  • Whether you book a catamaran or monohull
  • If you need a skipper to navigate the beautiful Adriatic
  • Excursions, activities and provisioning costs

Any charter extras to keep the family entertained, such as water toys and WiFi
How long does a family yacht charter around Croatia take?

With Sunsail, you have the freedom to choose how long you sail around the Adriatic for. It entirely depends on what you and your family want to gain from your trip. If you want a slower, more peaceful experience, you may choose to book for 10-14 days, and add in lots of stops, beach days and time for relaxing. 

However, if you’re excited to explore Croatia’s gems and want to pack your itinerary full of thrilling adventures, you may only need one week.
Can kids sail the yacht?

You must be over 18 years old to be qualified to charter a yacht with Sunsail. However, while you or your skipper navigate Croatia’s beautiful open waters, there’s still plenty for kids to do on board, from marine life spotting up on deck to deciding on your next activity. You can also hire a range of water toys so children can still experience the thrill of being out on the water.

Learn more about Sunsail’s sailing requirements.

Contributor

amelia

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