14 DAYS SAILING ITINERARY - NORTH FROM SPLIT
SPLIT - MASLINICA - ŽIRJE - PIŠKERA - TELAŠĆICA - ŽUT - KAPRIJE - SKRADIN - PRIMOŠTEN - DRVENIK VELI - VIS - KOMIŽA - HVAR - STARI GRAD – SPLIT
255 NM, on average 2-3 hours of sailing/motoring per day
North from Split up to theTelašćica park of nature and then back down to the island of Vis. In two weeks' time, you will experience both the untouched nature of the naked and mostly uninhabited islands of the Kornati archipelago. You will visit places which history goes back to ancient times and which are nowadays very popular mundane cities - Hvar, Vis... This route also includes visits to two national parks: Kornati archipelago & Krka waterfalls,and a visit to one park of nature: Telašćica bay.
SPLIT, AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
1st DAY SATURDAY
SPLIT – MASLINICA – 14 NM
Our base is placed in the ACI MARINA SPLIT, which is located in the most beautiful part of Split's port overlooking Riva, the most popular Lungomare promenade in Split. Walking from the center of Split, it will take you like 20 minutes to reach our office in the marina which is next to the pier D, last in line, while the boats are on the pier C and A. After finishing the formalities in the office, provided that your boat is ready and that you bought planned provisions, you can get on board and head towards your first destination, MASLINICA, a charming small village on the western side of the island of Šolta, famous for its breathtaking sunset and an archipelago of seven small islands. Witnessing the sun drowning in the sea behind the archipelago of seven small islands in front of the Maslinica would surely be the highlight of the visit to this place. For dining out, there is plenty of choice as in Maslinica as on the island of Šolta. You can choose from fancy restaurants to taverns, konobas, or household farmings. You can spend the night safely moored in the beautiful marina MARTINIS - MARCHI placed in the village or you can anchor in the neighboring bay Šešula where two restaurants offer their moorings (limited number) for free, provided that you eat there: ŠIŠMIŠ and Šešula. From Šešula bay it is 10 minutes on feet till Maslinica.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS
St. Nicholas church – nice view
Olive oil tastings
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons
2nd DAY SUNDAY
MASLINICA – ŽIRJE – 26NM
Žirje is the largest and the most distant inhabited island in the Šibenik archipelago. In the past, it was covered with oak trees and it probably got its name after the fruit of the oak tree – žir (acorn). Due to its position and very indented coast with many nice bays, it is the usual destination of the sailors heading towards the Kornati. It is actually a natural extension of the Kornati islands. For an overnight stay, you can choose between the bays of Mala and Vela Stupica on the south, Tratinska bay on the west, or Muna on the east. SIGHTS: Byzantine fortress from the 6th century.
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons
3rd DAY MONDAY
ŽIRJE – PIŠKERA – 19NM
The striking contrast between the blue sea and the light grey limestone hills will leave you breathless while sailing from Žirje to Piškera island in the Kornati archipelago. The Kornati islands, a group of 89 smaller and bigger islands, islets, and reefs scattered in the sea, is a true promised land for nature lovers and sailing enthusiasts. All your sailing and navigational skills will be put to the test while maneuvering through the Kornati. Since the Kornati are a national park you will be required to pay an entrance ticket. The island of Piškera with a surface of 2.66 square kilometers is one of the larger islands in the Kornati group. It is uninhabited and the only outpost of civilization on it is the ACI marina.
KORNATI, AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
4th DAY TUESDAY
PIŠKERA – DUGI OTOK (TELAŠĆICA BAY) – 13NM
Telašćica bay is situated in the south-eastern part of the Dugi Otok island, north of Kornati. The bay is retracted into the land about 8km and it is very indented - 25 bays. 13 islands and islets surround the bay and 6 islets are inside the bay. Salt lake „Mir“ (Peace) is located in the south-western part of the Park in a narrow area between the open sea and Telašćica bay. On the open sea side of the Telašćica bay, there are vertical cliffs, the famous „Stene“ of Dugi Otok. Telašćica was proclaimed a Nature Park in 1988, thanks to its preserved beautiful nature, rich flora and fauna life, geological and geomorphic phenomena, valuable colonies of the sea bottom, and interesting archaeological heritage.
TELAŠĆICA, AUTHOR: ALEKSANDAR GOSPIĆ, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
5th DAY WEDNESDAY
TELAŠĆICA (DUGI OTOK ISLAND) - ŽUT – 9NM
The island of Žut, belonging to the Kornati islands group, is located between the island of Pašman and the island of Kornat. It is the second largest island in the Kornati group but still a rather small island with a surface of some fifteen square kilometers. There are no permanent inhabitants on the island. Its steep and indented coast, surrounded by crystal clear sea, is a paradise for boaters. You can spend the night either anchored in one of the bays or safely moored in the beautiful ACI marina placed in the harbor of Žut.
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons
6th DAY THURSDAY
ŽUT – KAPRIJE – 22NM
Kaprije is a small island situated in the middle of the Šibenik archipelago. It got its name after the plant caper whose buds serve as a spice. It is very popular among the boaters, since Kaprije bay, placed on the southwest part of the island, is protected from all winds.
KAPRIJE, AUTHOR: IVO PERVAN, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
7th DAY FRIDAY
KAPRIJE – SKRADIN – 18NM
Sailing from Kaprije to Skradin, a beautiful town with rich history, situated at the mouth of the Krka river, is a special experience. Passing through St. Ante channel at the entrance to the town of Šibenik will offer you a magnificent view of the town dominated by the cathedral of St. Jacob and three fortresses guarding over it. You continue sailing through the Šibenik bay and the canyon of the Krka river until, after the curve, the town of Skradin appears in front of you. In Skradin, you can overnight in the ACI marina or anchor in the bay. With a sailboat, you cannot go further than Skradin, but if you would like to visit the waterfalls of the Krka National Park, you will need to use the tourist boats. SIGHTS: town of Skradin, Krka National Park
SKRADIN, AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
8th DAY SATURDAY
SKRADIN – PRIMOŠTEN – 24NM
Primošten is a charming small town grown out of the fishermen's village. Its beautiful location on a peninsula and the gorgeous beaches make it very attractive to the tourists, but in spite of this, Primošten has preserved the authentic atmosphere of the small Dalmatian town. The old town is characterized by stone houses and narrow streets with the church and bell tower at the highest peak of the place. Primošten is well-known for its vineyards which are to be found on the hills in the vicinity of the town. In the UN center in New York hangs a photo of Primošten's vineyards.
PRIMOŠTEN, AUTHOR: SERGIO GOBBO, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
9th DAY SUNDAY
PRIMOŠTEN – DRVENIK VELI – 15NM
Drvenik Veli, together with a smaller island nearby, Drvenik Mali, administratively belongs to the municipality of Trogir. The largest settlement on the island is Drvenik, which is also one of the best-sheltered harbors in Dalmatia. It is not a very touristy place, but it offers peace, untouched nature, and a clean sea. You can either anchor or moor in the harbor or, if the weather is nice, you can go to anchor in the Krknjaši lagoon on the eastern part of the island. If, after nine days of wildness, you are striving for some city noise, going in the UNESCO-protected town of Trogir and mooring in one of the three marinas there, would be a good option.
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons
10th DAY MONDAY
DRVENIK VELI – VIS – 24NM
The town of VIS is located in the north-eastern part of the island of Vis at the foot of a well-protected bay. Vis is a stretched settlement grown out of the two settlements, Kut and Luka, which became one entity in the 16th century. After the Second World War till the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995), Vis was closed for foreign tourists. It was a Yugoslav military base and the military remains witnessing this period are to be found all around Vis. Although the visitors, especially yachtsmen, are increasingly coming to Vis and the island is being changed daily, the authentic Mediterranean environment is still well preserved. For an overnight stay, you have the choice of mooring in the Vis port - harbor – town pier or Kut bay, or you could anchor in a bay, which is also charged.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS:
Vis Museum, Archeological sites: ancient remains of Issa, the first urban center in Croatia, Franciscan church and Conventual Franciscan monastery, biking, hiking, and other guided tours
STINIVA, AUTHOR: ALEKSANDAR GOSPIĆ, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
11th DAY TUESDAY
VIS – KOMIŽA – 10NM
If the weather is nice - sunny and with moderate or no wind – head first for the little island of Biševo in front of Komiža and visit the famous Blue Cave. In order to be able to enjoy the spectacular color scheme in Blue Cave, it is necessary to reach it between 9:30 – 11:30, which means an early start from Hvar. Overnight by mooring in the harbor of KOMIŽA. Komiža is a small, picturesque Mediterranean town placed at the foot of a 600-meter high mountain Hum. Narrow streets, small stone houses squeezed together, fishermen vessels dominating the harbor, pebble beaches... is the shortest description of this charming place. The sights not to be missed in Komiža are Muster - St Nicholas monastery, Kaštel – 16th-century Venetian tower and home of Fishermen's Museum, Romanesque church, Baroque shrine.
KOMIŽA, AUTHOR: MLADEN ŠĆERBE, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
12th DAY WEDNESDAY
KOMIŽA – HVAR – 26NM
The city of Hvar is certainly one of the most popular destinations on the Adriatic coast, not only for its bespoke natural beauty and rich historical heritage but also for its nightlife offer. A group of 20 something islets and rocks situated in front of Hvar, by the name of Pakleni Otoci - Hell Islands (or Hvar’s isles as locals would refer to them), is a unique and the most recognizable natural beauty of Hvar. St Klement island is the biggest island in the group. ACI marina is placed in the Palmižana bay on St Klement island. Walking from Palmižana bay over the hill (10 minutes) through the botanical park, you reach Vinogradišće bay, a beautiful bay with a white sandy beach and turquoise color of the sea, surrounded by restaurants which terraces border the seafront. HVAR is to be reached by taxi boats operating till late in the night.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS:
Fortica fortress, Hvar's cathedral, Hvar's theater, Franciscan monastery, Organized trips: hiking, walking, kayaking.
HVAR, AUTHOR: IVO BIOČINA, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARDWWW.CROATIA.HR
13th DAY THURSDAY
HVAR – STARI GRAD – 13NM
Head for Stari Grad after breakfast. Stop for swimming, sunbathing, and lunch in the well-protected Tiha bay. Stari Grad (literally Old Town) is a town on the northern side of the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia. One of the oldest towns in Europe, its position at the end of a long, protected bay and next to prime agricultural land, make it attractive for human settlement for a long time now. The most ancient part of Stari Grad falls into the UNESCO Protected World Heritage Site of the Stari Grad Plain. It was originally named Faros (Greek: ΦAPOΣ) by the Greek settlers from the island of Paros, who arrived in 384 BC.
Overnight in Stari Grad by mooring in the port or take the buoy.
SIGHTS: Škor (square), Trg sv. Stjepana (St. Stephen’s Square), St. Stephen’s church, the Church tower, church of St. Ivan, the Stari Grad Plain (ancient Hora), the Church of St. Lucija, the church of St. Nikola, the St. Rok church – the patron saint of Stari Grad, Biskupija and Vorba park
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons
14th DAY FRIDAY
STARI GRAD – SPLIT – 22 NM
The town of SPLIT, the nowadays capital of Dalmatia, expanded from the Diocletian palace, the palace built by Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century. It is the world's best-preserved palace from late antiquity and on UNESCO's list since 1979, mostly for the reason that the palace continues to live a full life, it is not only a monument from the past. Moor in our base marina, ACI marina Split. See more info on what to see and where to eat on our blog here.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS
Diocletian palace - http://www.visitsplit.com/en/1316/split-in-1-day
Marjan hill – nice view of Split
15th DAY SATURDAY
SPLIT – CHECK-OUT
It is time to say GOODBYE...... but only until next time, since we are sure you will like your week of sailing the Croatian islands so much that you will come back!