Croatia is a country well-known for its idyllic islands and Roman/Venetian styled architecture concealing precious heritage numbering thousands of years in age. In sailing circles, the Dalmatian nation is one that sits at the top of the hierarchy in terms of the best sailing destinations worldwide and it is often said that if you haven’t yet conquered the waters of the Adriatic, then you just haven’t sailed right. Many throng Croatian waters each year to get a taste of the famous sea and here are 5 five reasons why you need to be counted among that number as soon as possible.
1) The Adriatic climate smiles down on you
Annually, the country sees about 2600 hours worth of sunlight- it is the sunniest in the continent- with summer feeling the brunt of that heat and experiencing averages of about 25 C. The waters are perhaps even more famous for the maestral, jugo and bura winds that make sailing in Croatia a fun yet challenging endeavor. Winters in Europe are generally unforgivingly cruel for taking to the sea but this country fairs much better affording fairly manageable temperatures for all-year-round sailing.
2) They are thousands of islands to explore
Warm sandy beaches, hidden away bays, submerged caves, and underwater treasures are all the hallmarks of the perfect sailing vacation and this Balkan nation boasts thousands of islands rife with endless adventure that would require countless lifetimes to sample everything. From exotic chains such as the Pakleni to popular land masses such as Brac and little-known yet winsome names such as Mljet, there are literally thousands of islands to savor; 1244 islands and islets to be exact!
3) Accredited and sophisticated marinas
Croatia’s nautical notoriety boils down to a well-established network of marinas complete with the latest in boating technology and social amenities. The sailing industry is thriving off of this so much so that it accounts for 40% of the world’s charter fleet. Consequently, renting a quality vessel is extremely easy and affordable and so too is getting to famous cities as the 60 marinas are spread in close proximity to popular destinations.
4) Never ending parties and festivities
There is a never a dull day during the summer with every nightfall seeing musical festivities and booming nightclubs putting on a show that can be underwhelmingly described as amazing. If your sailing itinerary leans toward scintillating night-outs, music from world-renowned DJs and native cocktail delicacies, you’ll be bewildered by the abundance of fun along the Dalmatian coast. Alluring parties on cozy yachts are also quite common during this period at a time when having a good time seems to take precedence above all else.
5) You’ll not need to worry about security or extravagant expenses
Among all European countries, the crime rate is lowest in Croatia and cases of theft and muggings synonymous with other European sailing destinations are almost non-existent. On the other hand, getting by in terms of accommodation and day-to-day expenses such as food etc. is also significantly cheaper compared to hotspots such as Italy and Greece where prices are steep and security is not so good.
Some of the other reasons why many people dream of sailing the Balkan waters include an English speaking and friendly population, unrivaled local cuisine and UNESCO-listed treasures that are as enthralling as they are beautiful. And the list goes on and on.
