14 DAYS SAILING ITINERARY SOUTH FROM SPLIT

SPLIT - MILNA - VIS - KOMIŽA - VELA LUKA - LASTOVO - MLJET - DUBROVNIK - ŠIPAN - MLJET - KORČULA - HVAR - STARI GRAD – SPLIT

 274 NM, on average 2-5 hours of sailing/motoring per day

From Split to Dubrovnik and back in two weeks time. The route covers all the main islands on the way, each day you visit a new island or a new place on the same island.

PHOTOS' SOURCE: commons.wikimedia.org

1st DAY SATURDAY
SPLIT – MILNA – 14NM

Arrival in the ACI marina Split and finalization of the paperwork in our office. Boarding the boat around 5 PM and setting sails for the first destination – MILNA. Milna is a beautiful and peaceful village on the western side of the island of Brač, famous for its marvelous bay where emperor Diocletian found a secure harbor in the time of building his palace in Split. Nowadays, thanks to the fact that it is the biggest natural harbor on the island with even three marinas, it is a very popular nautical destination and the most usual first-night destination for charters starting from Split. Magnificent architecture, nice coves with pebble beaches as in town as in the close vicinity, a number of restaurants offering local delicacies are just a few of its attractions.  

2nd DAY SUNDAY
MILNA – VIS – 21NM

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 overnight, you have the choice of mooring in the Vis port - harbor – town pier or Kut bay, or you could anchor in a bay.

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 

3rd DAY MONDAY
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 – the 16th-century Venetian tower and home of Fishermen's Museum, Romanesque church, Baroque shrine.

4th DAY TUESDAY
KOMIŽA –VELA LUKA – 24NM

Vela Luka is the biggest and the newest town on the island of Korčula. Being placed in the deep-sheltered bay on the western side of the island, it is a safe anchorage and nautical harbor. At the very entrance to the Vela Luka bay, there is the little island of Proizd famous for its beautiful pebble beaches. In the middle of the bay, there is the other small island – Ošjak. Vela Luka is well known for health tourism; the health resort Kale is placed in the Kale bay where there is a special healing mud-liman. It is also home to many talented musicians and artists. SIGHT/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS:  Big Cave or Vela Spila – one of the most important prehistoric finds in Europe, Cultural Center consisting of a museum, gallery, and library. 

5th DAY WEDNESDAY
VELA LUKA – LASTOVO- 22NM

The island of Lastovo is a member of the south Dalmatian islands and the most distant inhabited island. Like pearls, there is a thread of 45 small islands and cliffs alongside Lastovo. All together - 46 beautiful and interesting islands. 70% of the island's surface is covered with forest. That is why it is also called the green island. Because of its remoteness and the fact that during communism, for 50 years, it was closed for tourists, Lastovo is well preserved. The entire archipelago, Lastovo, and all the islets were declared Park of Nature in order to preserve its beauty and untouched nature. For overnight, you can choose between mooring in marina Vela Lago in Pasadur or restaurants' moorings in Skrivena Luka or Zaklopatica bays. Good anchoring options are Jurjeva luka or Skrivena luka.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS: town of Lastovo with its famous chimney- in the mainland, churches, stars... 

6th DAY THURSDAY
LASTOVO – MLJET (Polače)- 26NM

Mljet is one of the most beautiful and most forested islands in the Adriatic. Mljet National Park makes the most of the island. The park includes two deep bays which, due to their extremely narrow links with the sea, are regarded as and indeed named lakes: the Great Lake and the Small Lake. In the middle of the Great Lake, there is a small island with the Benedictine Monastery dating from the 12th century. You can access the National park from Pomena or Polače using footpaths or a bus. Mooring options: Pomena or Polače, on a jetty or restaurants' moorings. Anchoring options: Pomena or Polače bay.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO:  a visit to National Park which also includes a visit to the Benedectine monastery, cycling, hiking... 

DUBROVNIK, AUTHORS: MARIO ROMULIĆ & DRAŽEN STOJČIĆ, SOURCE: HTZ, CROATIAN TOURIST BOARD WWW.CROATIA.HR 

7th DAY FRIDAY
MLJET– DUBROVNIK – 32NM   

Dubrovnik, or the pearl of the Adriatic, as it is also called, is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in the world. Although its origins date back to the 7th century, the most glorious period of Dubrovnik's past is the period between the 14th and early 19th century when Dubrovnik was a free, independent state „the Republic of Dubrovnik“. It was a wealthy state with advanced laws and institutions. The wealth came mainly from the seafaring trade, which was developed mostly thanks to skilled diplomacy. 

8th DAY SATURDAY
DUBROVNIK

Staying one more day in Dubrovnik is certainly a decision you will not regret. There are so many sights to explore you will even miss time to see them all.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS: Lazareti (the Quarantine), fort Revelin, old Port & Porporela, Dominican Monastery, Sponza Palace, Orlando's Column, Bell Tower, St Blaise Church, Rector's Palace, Cathedral, Main street Placa – Stradun, Onofrio's Great Fountain, Franciscan Monastery, City Walls, Fort Lovrjenac, Granary Rupe

9th DAY SUNDAY
DUBROVNIK – ŠIPAN – 16NM

Šipan, or the golden island, as it is called, is the largest and the most inhabited island in the group of the Elaphiti Islands. On Šipan, there are two settlements, Luka Šipanska and Suđurađ. In the past, the wealthy families from Dubrovnik had their summer residences on Šipan. It is famous for excellent wine and olive oil.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS:
over 30 churches, a few monasteries, about 60 Renaissance-Gothic summer residences, Rector's Palace

10th DAY MONDAY
ŠIPAN – MLJET (SAPLUNARA)- 12NM

Saplunara bay/beach is situated in the southeastern part of the island of Mljet. It is about a mile long and surrounded by a thick pine forest. With its sandy bottom and clear water, it is a great option for anchoring and bathing. The name comes from the Latin word Saplunara, which means "tiny sand". 

11th DAY TUESDAY
MLJET – KORČULA (island of Korčula)- 30NM

Korčula is a beautiful fortified town of Venetian origins. It sprung up on a small peninsula that was connected to the mainland with the stone stairways, nowadays one of the city's symbols. According to the legend, Marco Polo is said to be born here. The old city is surrounded by walls, and the streets are arranged in a fishbone pattern. This street plan allows free circulation of air but protects against strong winds. The best mooring option is the ACI marina in the town's center, although there are a few places on the town's pier.
SIGHTS/THINGS TO DO/ATTRACTIONS: house of Marco Polo, the Town Museum, Moreška – a sword dance.

12th DAY WEDNESDAY
KORČULA – HVAR – 35NM

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 unique and the most recognizable natural beauty of Hvar. St Klement island is the biggest island of 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 the 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 theatre, Franciscan monastery, Organised trips: hiking, walking, kayaking...

13th DAY THURSDAY
HVAR – STARI GRAD - 13NM

Head for Stari Grad after breakfast. Stop for swimming, sunbathing, and lunch in 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, makes 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 Starigrad 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 

14th DAY FRIDAY
STARI GRAD – SPLIT - 22NM

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 because 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 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 definitely come back!