- Sailing Croatia tips
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by Ultra Sailing Team
Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia, with well-developed shore and countless islands in Kvarner area. Due to the fact that it is close Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Germany it has always been and still is a pioneer in tourism. Even today, beautiful summerhouses from Habsburg era can be seen here, as well as long boardwalks by the sea, which were especially popular during time of health resort tourism.
Opatija is a town with the longest tourism tradition in Croatia. The first villa that was built in 1844. was called “Angiolina” by a nobleman from Rijeka named Ignio Scarpa. It quickly became the center of social life during that time, as the architecture of the landscape, boardwalk Lungomare and bathhouses was very well designed. It is known that it hosted Austrian-Hungarian emperor Franz-Joseph, ban Josip Jelačić and empress Maria Ana. During the years between 1854 and 1914 (beginning of WW1) Opatija was called “Austrian Nice” and reached its peak in development due to building of villas and hotels, mostly for guests from Austria and Italy.
As history tends to repeat itself, Istria showed to be interesting and approachable to everyone during Covid-19 pandemic, but especially to boaters who did not want to give up life under the sails, even in quarantine. Istria and Kvarner are well connected, and during time when flights are scarce, arriving by car certainly has its advantages.
If you have never sailed in Kvarner and are arriving by car to Pula, you will be amazed by its landscapes, nice cozy villages, lovely Roman citadels and nature. Inland has every bit to offer as the coast. Food is excellent and affordable, and locals kind. Tourism is always in accordance with the need of the guests, so for example you even have hotels that are pet friendly and even don’t charge extra.
There is a great number of well-organized and modern marinas in Istria and Kvarner area. Here some of them from ACI marinas company: Umag, Rovinj, Pula, Pomer, Opatija, Cres, Supetarska Draga, Rab and Šimuni. Mooring fees as well as info on how to reserve a berth you can find on the official webpage of ACI marinas.
Ultra’s sailing boats you can find in ACI marina Pomer near Pula. For this year you can choose between 14 different sailboats in this area. The smallest is 30 ft with 2 cabins and the biggest 51 ft with 5 cabins.
In between, there are of course 3 & 4 cabin sailboats like Oceanis 38, Oceanis 41.1, new model Oceanis 40.1, Sun Odyssey 440, Oceanis 46.1, Oceanis 48, Oceanis 51.1.
After a charter season full of restrictions, we had a little chat with our customers who have sailed out of Pomer and asked them what they like. Here’s what they said:
1. Pula – excellent place to start the sailing route
Pula has a long-standing shipyard industry, but it is more famous for its Coloseum dating back to the year 1 BC. Movie festivals and concerts are frequently held here now. This awe inspiring monument can be seen from the marina itself which is located in Pula centre, which is also full of office spaces and shops, big indoor green and fish market.
Other than stocking up on quality groceries for your sailing trip what you can see in Pula is: Historical monuments : Arena Amphiteatre, temple of Augustus, Maritime museum, Virtual historical tour Art: Museum of contemporary art, Museum of everyday and good memories –Entertainment, art and food: Underground passages of Zerostrasse, Carrarina 3 & Carrarina 1 & city market
2. Discover Brijuni islands
Brijuni islands are located along the western coast of Istria, they are near Pula so you can visit them by various boat tours.
First the Romans built their summer houses here, then in 1893 Austrian steel magnate Paul Kupelwieser brought innovations to the island and set high standards in resort vacationing for that time (golf courses, zoo, studying of Roman ruins…). Brijuni island later became part of Mussolini’s Italy, and after the World War 2 part of Tito’s Yugoslavia. Yugoslav commander decided Brijuni would be is base for leisure, but still engaging in diplomacy and inviting the rich and the famous to this idyllic island (celebrities that came to Brijuni were among others JFK, Haile Selassie, Queen Elizabeth II., Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Gina Lollobrigida…- basically anyone who was someone back in the sixties).
Mr.Paul Kupelwieser
Tito & Elisabeth Taylor 
Most of the island is closed to the public. Luckily Veliki Brijun island is now open to everyone. It is a beautiful countryside property by the sea, with a zoo, botanical garden, golf course, bird sanctuary and a safari park. Island is also rich in archeological findings from Roman times, and also has 3 museums. There is a tourist train that goes around the island and is a great way to check everything out. You can also rent a bike or an electric buggy for those who like to explore on their own. Brijuni archipelago was declared a national park in 1983. More about mooring there on: Port National park Brijuni
3. Art in small villages – Grožnjan
It was built by Venetians in 1102, and it was a strategically important fort up until Venice fall in the 18th century. In 1965 it was turned into an artist colony that attracted Jeunesses Musicales International to start a musical summer school in 1969. Summers here are booming with events such as concerts, recitals and ballets in the local castle or at squares under the stars. Today Grožnjan has more than 30 art studios and galleries, open in the summertime.
4. Motovun film festival
As many of the old villages in Istria inland, Motovun is located on a hill top. This small town is a popular tourist destination, filled with cultural events throughout the whole year (summer Motovun film festival). This part of Istria is rich in truffles so this is the place to taste them. From September to November visit Livade across from Motovun, where truffle auctions and tastings are held. Local wines you must try are Malvasia and Teran, and you can find them in local taverns and restaurants.
5. Dare to rent a lighthouse
Sv. John is located on furthest island of a small archipelago in front of Rovinj, and it was built in 1853. Lighthouse itself is 23 meters high and provides a stunning view from one of two 4 bed apartments. This kind of vacationing is for people who enjoy solitude, diving and fishing and those who do not need to spend much. There isn’t a regular transportation, but the lighthouse keeper os always there. Beside this one, other lighthouses in the Adriatic can be rented.
6. Picturesque town of Rovinj
Rovinj hosted ACI Match Race Cup in 2006, world sailing elite through Adris RC44 Cup (2011) i Adris RC44 World Championship (2012). In 2019 Rovinj brings Adris RC44 Cup back, one of the most famous sailing competitions in the world. Top sailing yachtsman take part.
Besides being a beautiful background for the sailboats, this old marine town’s romantic image brings more and more weddings here.
7. Rab and its bell towers
Rab 
Sundial 
Roofs in Rab
You can spot them while you’re still sailing into Barbat channel. Fun fact: stonecutter from Rab, St, Marin when to the Italian peninsula in the 4th century and there founded the Republic of San Marino. Today St. Marin is the patron of Lopar and an important figure to the locals.
There is a marina here and a safe mooring place, so it is often on boating routes. Try all the local food, including Rab cake.
8. Susak – Island from another planet
If you are fortunate to visit distant island of Susak, we are hoping that it will be in summer where you can witness a wedding involving a specific folk costume of the locals on this sandy island. Their dialect is special, and weddings are mostly held for couples from America, whose ancestors once lived here.
9. Gastronomy in Istria
You will be amazed by the diversity of the Istrian cuisine. There is enough seafood to be called Mediterranian, but also a lot of details that would deem it continental. It adapts well to seasons. During asparagus period (end of April and May) local restaurants and taverns offer a wide variety of dishes with asparagus. Truffles are also often used as they are Istrian symbol. Olive oils and wines also make their way around the world as guests often buy them and take them home.
10. First time sailing in Istria
Sailing was always a sport for the daring, and the explorers, and there is no age limit. You can always hire a skipper if your sailing skills are limited. Those professionals will take good care of you and the sailboat, and even teach you a thing or two if you wish. You can go around a few islands in a week’s tour, and if you take your family and friends with you, cost does not need to be high.
