Croatia Family Sailing Vacations
Croatian coast is a home of Mediterranean sailing holidays and a beloved yacht charter destination in Europe, ideal for a weekly family escape into the blues and the greens of Adriatic sea. Living on board of a private sailing yacht is an amazing opportunity to spend quality time with your family and teach your kids valuable communication and cooperation skills. There is nothing like trying to accomplish an exciting task together and strengthen family bonds in a dazzling natural environment. Give your kids a chance to steer the boat or help your skipper with the sails. They will be talking about it for years. Surrounded with idyllic islands, untouched nature and crisp-blue seas yacht charter vacation in Croatia is a genuine cruising experience that will allow you to truly unwind and sail your worries away within the embrace of your loved ones.
Best Family Yacht Charter Destinations In Croatia
ZADAR SAILING ITINERARY
Zadar yacht charter experience is best kept secret in Croatia and the ultimate itinerary for a stress-free family sailing getaway. Easy assessable marinas Biograd and Sukošan are beloved nautical starting locations for most Croatia sailing charters and only 15 minutes away from international Zadar airport. Including iconic Kornati national park, Krka Waterfalls and less busy islands this scenic region ensures a relaxing and above all joyful cruising holiday. Easy island hopping, small sailing distances secluded bays with welcoming fisherman's taverns ideal for a midday stop will make everyone aboard happy.
PULA SAILING ITINERARY
Northern Adriatic with Istrian peninsula is without a doubt most beloved family destination in Croatia. Diversity of Northern Adriatic is breathtaking. Romantic Venetian towns, colorful ports, untouched nature, wildlife parks and superb Istrian gastronomy make this region the perfect destination for adventurous families. Pula 7-day sailing itinerary is less-known charter route in Croatia and a perfect choice if you prefer fewer crowds in the islands and a small-town atmosphere. Italian influence in this region is inevitably noticed - whether it comes to monumental Venetian architecture, unique food delicacies or authentic pulse of colorful harbors. Which is another good reason for exploring northern Croatia form a comfort of a private yacht charter.
Family Sailing Holiday Tips
1. Adjust daily dynamics & Book local skipper
Sailboat charters in Zadar and Pula assure lots of stops for swimming and opportunities for different water activities. In this case everything will is more interesting, exciting and fun.
Plus, it will help your kids to go to bed earlier and allow the grownups to reflect on daily impressions and enjoy in a glass of wine through the evening. Every day you will visit another island and towns, where you can explore local cuisine and bond new friendships.
Hiring Croatian skipper to safely navigate the yacht will not only ensure a stress-free cruising experience supported with local expertise but also secure more for you to devote to your family.
2. Keep them occupied
Ensure your children more time to enjoy in water-based activities.
If you give your kids serious job titles aboard, like (second mate, navigator, chef's assistant, fisherman in charge for the dinner catch) they will be certainly more cooperative and feel more important.
That will certainly get more attention, interest and awareness of the remarkable marine environment.
3. The more, the merrier
Within the company of their friends, your children won't get bored. It is always more fun to have friends with the same age and size aboard.
Make sure that they can move safely aboard and bring your life vests. If you don't have them, let the charter company know their sizes and they will get them for you.
4. Use sunscreen & hydrate
It is no fun if you get sunburned, so you have to keep your kids protected from the summer sun, that can be quite dangerous.
Spending much energy while playing and snorkeling in the summer time also demands drinking a lot of liquids.
5. Take lots of water toys and snorkelling gear
Don' forget snorkeling gear, inflatable pillows, water tubes and pool toys. This will keep them occupied in water for hours.
Paddle board (SUP) is perfect to stretch and to stir up. Water activities are not only a good for the exercise but also a natural soporific.
You will have no problem to get them to sleep in the evening.
6. Book sailing holidays in summer
Best time for a relaxed family sailing vacation in Croatia is in the summer months. The perfect period should be between late June till early September.
The air is around 30o the sea 25o and there is always enough wind to cool you down. If you take your trip in summer, your kids will have more options for water sports, various activities and exploration of island villages.
Please find some tips about how to plan a perfect sailing trip and best tips on when is best time to sail Croatia
Don't Forget To bring
FAQs
Croatia is best family yacht charter destination in Europe because
- affordable yacht charter prices
- densely scattered islands ensure more stops during the day
- short sailing distances and easy island hopping
- low winds & safe sailing conditions
- longer dry weather periods
- natural anchorages where you can spend a peaceful night
- picturesque island ports and stunning historic sites to explore
- warm sea temperature is ideal for various water activities like snorkelling, swimming and stand up paddle boarding
Croatia sailing trip will cost you on average 5.000€ weekly during the main charter season not including food, mooring fees and fuel for the boat.
With easy island hopping and 1-3 hour sailing distances between the islands Zadar yacht vacation is best balanced sailing experience in Croatia for families with kids.
Northern Dalmatia is best sailing destination in Croatia if you prefer less busy islands, authentic local delicacies and lonely bays for swimming.
Renting a sailboat in Croatia is generally less expensive bringing more sailing fun and lower overall costs, whilst renting catamaran in Croatia will provide more onboard space and easier movement around the deck during your journey.
With warm seas, lower winds and dry weather Best time to sail Croatia for a family is definitively within the summer months June July and August.
Short distances between scattered Croatian islands, well sheltered anchorages, calm and crystal-clear seas and picturesque villages with numerous attractions for kids makes Croatian coast among best yacht charter destinations in Europe for families.
The main differences between these popular sailing destinations are sailing distances between the islands. In Greece you will need more time to cruise from one island to another while in Croatia the distances to are shorter. That is why Croatia is considered better for families with kids and groups that want extra time to explore towns and prefer more stops during the day for chilling, swimming and snorkeling.
Yacht charter vacation is suitable for everyone that wants a genuine holiday experience and discover Croatian islands in the most extraordinary way.
Croatia is the cradle of sailing holidays and among best European sailing destinations for families with kids. With warm and calm Adriatic sea, pleasant temperatures, abundance of sunshine, low winds and densely scattered islands, Croatian coast is a ideal location for a family cruise.
First estimate how much space do you need and how high your budget is. When you plan a sailing trip with children, booking a skippered catamaran holiday in Croatia is your best choice. If you stay on a budget yacht charter, a sailboat with 2 steering wheels and bathing platform should do. To divide the cost, it is common that 2 families rent one catamaran. One hull for one family.
On a sailing yacht your adventure will be definitively more genuine with more sailing pleasures and quiet with minimum fuel consumption. Catamarans are wider, more stable, and comfortable, ensuring extra space when it comes into the quality of living aboard. However, extra commodity and luxury, means also higher rental price, larger costs on fuel, an marina fees.
If you think green, rent a sailboat!
Less consumption means less exhaust into the sea. Especially if you stay most of the time under sails. Renting a sailboat in Croatia gives you a unique opportunity to embrace these amazing landscapes in full authenticity and bring your sailing experience to entirely different level.
- Kornati natural park with 100 pristine islands and islets is one of the natural wonders of Croatia
- Kaprije a small charming islet with typical fishing village, warm locals and top-notch Dalmatian cuisine is something you can't miss out
- Silba or the island of love, is the perfect place to spend a romantic night on anchor surrounded with beautiful flora and fauna
- Vodice discover its lively promenades and beach bars
- Island Žut - a little gem with an amazing island cuisine and secluded bays
- Murter a home of many sailors and top culinary destination. Lively seaside village with marinas on the northern part surrounded with small islets, create breathtaking contrasts.
8 Things that you Don't want to forget:
- boarding pass and reservation documents
- sun protection (sun lotion, sunglasses for UV protection, hats)
- life jackets for kids
- your passport, or personal ID, enough cash
- bathing suit or a swimsuit (3-5 pairs) and swimming towels
- personal items (prescription pills, medicine for allergy...)
- a wind stopper or a wind breaker in summer a long-sleeved cardigan would do
- positive vibes (leave your worries at home)
Please read about the Sail Croatia Packing List for newbies.
