The Best Anchorages In Croatia
Croatia's coastline is the perfect destination for a luxury yacht charter, With over a thousand islands and sheltered coves nestled in gin-clear waters, it offers some of the most stunning cruising grounds and anchorages in the Mediterranean. Unlike other popular locations like the French Riviera, Croatia boasts numerous anchorage sites that remain isolated and private for yachts, often in shallower waters, perfect for a day full of relaxing and watersports opportunities.
Coupled with the perfect weather, wind, sailing conditions, and a diverse range of attractions to suit everyone, Croatia is an unparalleled yachting destination for the summer.
Here, we have highlighted some of the top anchorages that showcase the diverse beauty of the area:
Korcula
The home of Marco Polo, this small Dalmatian island is lesser-known than the other popular islands in the Adriatic, such as Dubrovnik, and Hvar. Korcula is sometimes referred to as the 'mini-Dubrovnik,' thanks to its slower pace and chilled vibes. Here, some of the best anchorage opportunities for yachts in the Mediterranean, like the 86’7” (26.38m) MOWANA, should be featured on every Croatian yacht charter itinerary.
Whichever location you drop anchor from a yacht charter will not disappoint you with dramatic landscapes and crystal clear waters surrounded by some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Ashore, the fortified UNESCO-labelled old town is perfect for a morning spent exploring the history within its cobbled streets or enjoying an evening meal at the town's Michelin-starred restaurant, LD.
Hvar
Nearby in the same island chain is the busier yachting hotspot of Hvar, a gateway to a selection of amazing smaller islands and quiet bays. While it may be busier than other spots, yachts like the 156’2” (47.6m) ANDIAMO, the 163’9” (4 9.9m) SEAGULL MRD and MOWANA all flock here for good reason.
The port of Hvar is full of nightlife, restaurants, and bars for those enjoying a yacht charter here. For a well-sheltered bay, Star Grad Bay offers excellent protection for all yachts, and for the best coves, the Pakleni islands, the smaller islands dotted off Hvar, are another great anchorage site. A day here exploring the islands is best done by kayaks.
Loviste Bay
Nestled between Hvar and Korcula is Loviste Bay. Meaning "fishing place," this small bay boasts plenty of calm anchorage spots, with Runci Bay being the most popular.
The waters are mirror-still, and there are also plenty of opportunities for chefs to get the catch of the day onboard for a gourmet dinner paired with local wine. It is an ideal location for yachts to enjoy lounging, swimming, and all forms of watersports here. As an example, onboard JICJ, the 95’4” (29.06m) motor yacht, you can enjoy the bay from the large exterior sunbathing spaces while overlooking this idyllic anchorage.
Kornati Archipelago
The Kornati Archipelago is an incredible destination for anchoring on a yacht charter in Croatia. The designated national park is abundant in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Dropping the anchor here will give you views of dramatic cliff faces, olive groves, hiking trails, historically significant remains, and a whole treasure trove of activity underneath the surface with plenty of watersports and scuba diving opportunities here.
Delving into the 95’10” (29.2m) KATARIINA XO's toy box to use the snorkeling gear or stand-up paddleboards will make for a perfect afternoon in the turquoise waters of this archipelago. Popular hotspots included Vrulje and the islands of Vela Smokvica and Lavsa, as well as the quieter coves of Statival.
Mljet
South of the Kornati Archipelago is another national park and a favorite spot for yachts to anchor: Mjlet. This long, narrow island is one of Croatia's hidden gems. Lacking commercial development, you can enjoy the solitude and postcard-perfect settings. The island's northwest is ideal for anchoring by Odysseus Cave, splashing into the crystal clear waters.
Further south are also the unique tidal lakes. Enjoy time exploring here from SEAGULL MRD, using the stand-up paddleboards, and later relaxing on the sundeck taking advantage of the clear skies, under a blanket of stars in the evening.
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Photos by Alexandre Contador on Unsplash, Meg von Haartman on Unsplash ,