Yachtcharter North Dalmatia

Northern Dalmatia, located in the center of the coast of Croatia, offers sailors a wealth of ports of call and route options with its many islands, beautiful national parks and historic towns. Zadar and Šibenik with their historical centers are two worth seeing cities from which you can also start. The largest sailing base in the country is also located in this area: Sukošan. From the bases you can easily reach the highlights of the region, such as the Kornati Islands, the Šibenik archipelago and the Krka National Park. Natural and cultural beauties, seasoned with a good mix of relaxation and sailing challenge satisfy the most diverse crews.

Even less experienced sailors will find the best conditions in northern Dalmatia in the Croatian Adriatic. The marinas and moorings are close to each other and the groups of islands running parallel to the coast offer protection from the swell from the open sea. In addition to the other winds that tend to be moderate here, the bora in northern Dalmatia can be more stormy than in the south.

Climate: Mediterranean with temperatures between 15 and 28 degrees
Winds: maestral, bora, jugo
Sailing season: May to September

Yacht charter North Dalmatia

In the area you can enjoy the beautiful long summers, which are usually dry and not as hot as in other areas of the Mediterranean. Also the water temperature in high summer with up to 24 degrees is ideal for swimming and water sports. Moderate winds allow even less experienced sailors a relaxed trip. The bora coming from the land, which blows stronger especially in the Kvarner Bay, is weaker here, but should also be kept in mind.
Northern Dalmatia includes most of the islands of Croatia. What begins in the Kvarner Bay, runs along the entire mainland coast of the area. More than 1000 larger and smaller islands are located here in several rows from the height of Starigrad to the island of Pal. They also calm the swell from the open sea and provide relaxed sailing.

Zadar, Sukošan and Biograd

Zadar, the economic center of the region, is easily accessible via the international airport and offers many attractive sights for the first or last day of the cruise. In the old town you can listen to the sounds of a sea organ while sitting on the waterfront. The water rises through numerous tubes that protrude from the water into the concrete of the platform, creating the different tones and melodies.

Only a few kilometers away from Zadar is Sukošan, the largest and most famous sailing base in the country. The marina has 1200 berths and a corresponding infrastructure with restaurants, konobas as well as stores. In the vicinity there are also beautiful beaches, which slope shallowly into the water and are therefore also very suitable for families with small children.

Biograd also offers a wide range of yachts with two harbors. The "white city by the sea" offers water sports enthusiasts on-site program and several sandy beaches for sunbathing and swimming. In the old town there are numerous restaurants and konobas to stop at to sample the regional cuisine, as well as clubs and bars to explore the nightlife. At the end of October, the largest boat show in Croatia, the Biograd Boat Show, is held in Marina Kornati, so the town is teeming with boat enthusiasts and there are evening programs to match. Throughout the year you can also participate in various regattas.

The old town of Zadar is located on a peninsula, separated from the new town. About 80,000 inhabitants live in the city. ©AdobeStock

Northern Dalmatia - the area of thousand islands

The Kornati Islands

A popular cruising destination is the Kornati archipelago south of the island of Dugi otok.The 90 or so islands and reefs were declared a national park in 1980, so a ticket must be purchased beforehand, as there may also be controls in the park. The prices depend on the size of the boat and are cheaper if purchased outside the park, for example on Murter or in Biograd, than inside the park.

Active vacationers will find here a beautiful destination with natural surroundings. Even if it is mostly barren due to the infertile soil, the islands are quite green due to grasses, especially in the first half of the season. For hikers, the routes on the large islands lead to beautiful viewpoints and special places. On the island of Dugi otok, located north of the national park, it is much greener and hikers can take a trip to the warm salt lake Mir. Underwater, on the other hand, the Kornati archipelago proves to be the richest in fish in the Croatian Adriatic, so diving and snorkeling are also worthwhile here. Snorkelers can go on their own tours, while diving is allowed only in organized groups and only in the specified diving zones. The peculiarities of the largest archipelago in Croatia are revealed to sailors from the water. Through cleavage and erosion, the typical cliff formations towards the open sea, also called "crowns", were formed over time in the limestone. Some of them rise up to 90 meters above sea level. In addition, there are many beautiful bays for swimming and relaxing.

But not only natural sights the archipelago has to offer, but also historical ones. Traces of the Illyrians from the early antiquity in the form of square houses can be found for example on Scikat, Strazisce, Tureta and Grba. There are also burial mounds on Kornat and Zut. Also on Kornat there are still the remains of a 6th century fortress, from the hill of which there is also a beautiful view over the archipelago. On walks, but also from the sea, you can still see many of the typical dry stone walls.
In the park there are about 20 restaurants and konobas, where you can moor at jetties or piers. On the island of Vela Panitula there is also the marina Piskera, which offers water, electricity and protection from the bora.

The Kornati Islands are a national park that requires an entrance ticket to enter ©AdobeStock

Šibenik and the Archipelago

Another popular town on the coast of northern Dalmatia is Šibenik. It is located just south of the Kornati Islands at the mouth of the Krka River. Right around the harbor is the center of the town. It is worth strolling through the medieval old town with its narrow streets, beautiful architectural details on the houses and many stores, boutiques and places to stop. There are also numerous churches and palaces here, such as the Cathedral of St. James (Sv. Jakov), which stands on the old market square near the harbor promenade and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most important building in the city. It was built for about 100 years and therefore combines elements of late Gothic and Renaissance. Many details make the cathedral interesting. The ceilings are made of cantilevered stone slabs, over 70 heads decorate the outside of the cathedral and inside the ceilings are also decorated with figures. The series Game of Thrones chose the cathedral as a backdrop for Braavos, as well as the old town of Šibenik. Like Zadar, Šibenik is watched over by a fortress, St. Anna. Built in the 15th century, it also offers a beautiful view over the city and the bay.

Right on Šibenik's doorstep is the Šibenik archipelago. With seven larger islands as well as many smaller ones, there are also worthwhile excursion destinations in the bay of Šibenik, which are, however, less known. There are many beautiful bays for bathing and sunbathing as well as konobas and restaurants for refreshments. In the archipelago there are piers and jetties as well as several buoy fields. The further you go from the mainland, the less populated the islands are. In the small charming villages on Prvić, Šepurine and Prvićluka you can stroll through alleys with beautiful stone houses. The island of Krapanj is known by a long tradition of diving for corals and sponges. There is also a monastery on the island, where there are exhibitions on the history of life and everyday life on Krapanj. Zlarin, Kakan and Kaprije score with beautiful bays and delicious konobas. Žirje is the largest island and the most distant from the mainland. If you are looking for peace and relaxation, this is the right place. For example, the bay Vela Stupica offers shelter and a nice place to swim. A fortress from the Byzantine period is a nice place to visit with a view. From here you can also continue to the Kornati Islands, which begin not far to the northwest. Here you should think of an entrance ticket beforehand (see under Kornati).

There are also many beautiful anchorages in the Šibenik archipelago, like here near Kaprije. ©AdobeStock

Krka National Park

Another highlight from Šibenik is inland, the Krka National Park, which can also be approached by boat. You can reach the Krka River via the Sveti-Ante canal. If you follow it and also cross the lake Jezero, you will get to Skradin. From here the famous national park is not far. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reach it by boat. From Skradin you can either go by bike or on foot or take a ferry boat. The main attraction of the park are the waterfalls, which fall over seven steps over 45 meters along different paths. Bathing is also allowed in a demarcated area at the foot of the falls.

Krka National Park can be explored on foot, and bathing is allowed in a separate area near the falls. ©AdobeStock

Northern Dalmatia with Trogir and Split

Primosten and Rogoznika are on the border with central Dalmatia. From here you can head north to the islands and make a detour to the cities of Trogir and Split before or after.

Yacht charter North Dalmatia - set sail with 1aYachtcharter!