Dubrovnik-Neretva County is Croatia's southernmost sailing region, and what the charter fleet lacks in size compared to Split or Sibenik, it compensates with proximity to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Adriatic. The walled city of Dubrovnik — its massive 13th-century ramparts, terracott...
Dubrovnik-Neretva County is Croatia's southernmost sailing region, and what the charter fleet lacks in size compared to Split or Sibenik, it compensates with proximity to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Adriatic. The walled city of Dubrovnik — its massive 13th-century ramparts, terracotta rooftops, and marble-paved Stradun — is the most visited destination on the Croatian coast and an unforgettable point of departure for a sailing holiday.
ACI Marina Dubrovnik sits in the bay of Gruz, 3 kilometers from the old town. The marina has modern facilities, fuel, water, and a small chandlery. From the pontoons, you can see the old town ramparts in the distance — a view that improves dramatically at sunset. Several smaller marinas and anchorages dot the coast nearby. The closest islands — the Elaphiti group of Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan — begin less than 5 nautical miles from the marina entrance. This makes the Elaphiti a perfect shakedown sail: leave after lunch, sail to Lopud (8 nautical miles), anchor in the bay below the car-free village, swim off the boat, and eat grilled fish at one of the waterfront tavernas. Kolocep, the nearest island, has two small villages connected by a hiking trail through a forest of Mediterranean pines. Sipan, the largest of the three, has olive groves, vineyards, and a gentler, more agricultural atmosphere.
The main route from Dubrovnik heads northwest. The Peljesac peninsula — the longest in Croatia at 65 kilometers — separates the open sea from the Neretva channel. Peljesac is Croatia's premier wine region, with Dingac and Postup vineyards producing powerful red wines from the Plavac Mali grape on steep south-facing slopes above the sea. The small harbor at Trstenik makes a good overnight stop for a vineyard visit. At the tip of Peljesac, the medieval town of Korcula sits on its own peninsula, its herringbone street pattern designed by Venetian town planners to channel cooling breezes while blocking cold winter winds. The claimed birthplace of Marco Polo is marked in the old town, and moreska (a traditional sword dance) performances run on summer evenings. ACI Marina Korcula has good facilities and fuel.
Mljet National Park, about 20 nautical miles from Dubrovnik, covers the western third of Mljet island and contains two connected saltwater lakes — Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero — surrounded by dense forest. The anchorage at Polace, on the island's north coast just outside the park boundary, is a deep protected inlet between tiny islands. A short walk or bike ride leads into the park. On an islet in the middle of Veliko Jezero sits a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, now a restaurant. The lakes are warm (several degrees above the open sea), calm, and ideal for swimming. Mljet is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the Adriatic.
From Dubrovnik, a day-trip to Montenegro's Bay of Kotor requires clearing customs at the border (straightforward by yacht) and entering what many sailors consider the Mediterranean's most dramatic natural harbor: a series of interconnected bays surrounded by mountains rising to 1.750 meters, with the medieval towns of Perast, Kotor, and Herceg Novi at the water's edge. The inner bay is 28 kilometers long and almost completely enclosed. Sailing conditions around Dubrovnik are mild in summer with thermal breezes of 8-15 knots, though the Jugo (southeasterly) can bring rain and choppy seas in spring and autumn. One navigational note: Croatia's coastline is interrupted by a 9-kilometer strip of Bosnian territory at Neum, but vessels transit freely without formalities.
