- Sailing Croatia tips
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by Ultra Sailing Team
The breathtaking city of Dubrovnik is located deep in the south of Croatia’s Adriatic coast . Relatively small but packed with enthralling sights, the walled town of Dubrovnik is one of the most visually breathtaking destinations in the Mediterranean. Steeped in history, the city’s rich past is not just preserved in its architecture but also felt in its enduring traditions.
Dubrovnik flourished as an independent republic for centuries, having gained independence from Venice in 1358. It thrived as a regional trading power, maintaining skillful diplomacy with both the Ottoman Empire and the Christian states of southern Europe. Though devastated by an earthquake in 1667, the city was meticulously rebuilt, guided by a forward-thinking government that prioritized social planning and public spaces.
Today, these historical and cultural treasures are concentrated within the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is easily explored on foot. We always recommend that our charter guests, who have rented a sailboat or catamaran from ACI Marina Dubrovnik, take the time to visit the Old Town before embarking on their sailing adventure. It’s an experience that perfectly complements the beauty of the Adriatic Sea.
Great connection from ACI marina to the Old Town
While waiting for your charter boat, you can easily visit the Old Town of Dubrovnik by ordering a taxi or taking a bus ride. This gives you the opportunity to explore the stunning fortresses, palaces, museums and churches that make this city so special.
If you ask kindly, the charter office may allow you to leave your luggage with them, giving you the freedom to explore the Old Town without any burdens. We highly recommend taking the bus, as it’s a more economical choice compared to the taxi fare for the same route. The connection to the Old Town is excellent, with bus lines 1a and 1b departing every 20 minutes. The bus stop is located right by the marina and within just 15 minutes, you’ll reach the final stop in the heart of the Old Town.
Sights in Dubrovnik
City Walls
The city walls of Dubrovnik, a symbol of the city, offer breathtaking views from the guards’ walkway. Originally built in the 10th century and reinforced over the centuries, particularly in the 13th century, these walls stretch for 1,940 meters and feature five fortresses along with 16 towers and bastions. The walls played a crucial role in defending the Dubrovnik Republic and are among the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. Today, some of these fortresses serve as venues for concerts and performances during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Visitors are captivated by the stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and the Old Town. In the summer, queues for the wall can be long, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Alternatively, a free option is to stroll along the main street, Stradun, and explore the side streets, where you can take in almost all the major sights within just a few minutes’ walk.
Stradun
Walking along Stradun is a must when visiting Dubrovnik—no trip is complete without it. Stradun, the widest and most beautiful street in the city, runs from east to west, following the line of the old channel that once separated the island from the mainland. After the earthquake of 1667, a series of stone houses were constructed along the street. Today, Stradun is lined with bars and cafés, making it a popular spot for socializing, especially in the evenings.
At the western end of Stradun stands the Big Onofrio Fountain (built by Onofrio della Cava, who designed Dubrovnik’s water supply system in the 15th century), while at the eastern end is the Small Onofrio Fountain. Visitors often stop at these fountains to snap photos and enjoy a refreshing sip of cold water on a hot summer day.
Churches, Monasteries, Palaces, Squares, and the Cathedral
From Stradun, narrow side streets lead to many of Dubrovnik’s historical and cultural treasures. These include the Franciscan Monastery (which houses a museum) at the beginning of Stradun and the Baroque Church dedicated to St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, at the other end. The city is full of such landmarks, and while seeing them all might take time—especially during the busy summer season—a 2 to 3-hour walk through the city’s streets is an experience in itself. This stroll allows you to admire many of Dubrovnik’s sights, even if just from the outside.
Let’s go sailing
Anyone who goes on a sailing trip from Dubrovnik will certainly be amazed by the beauty of the islands and the southern Adriatic coast.
The Elaphite Islands (Elafiti)
The Elaphite Islands are a group of 13 islands stretching northwest of Dubrovnik. The three largest islands—Šipan, Lopud and Koločep—are often the first stop for many charter clients who set sail from Dubrovnik on a Saturday. These islands are known for their lush woods of maritime pines and cypresses, beautiful beache and secluded bays. Historically, they were popular with the aristocracy of Dubrovnik, who built villas here. Some islands had monasteries that were suppressed with the arrival of French troops in 1808. While many of the churches date back to the pre-Romanesque period, few remain intact today.
Koločep, the closest island to Dubrovnik, has been a summer retreat for city residents since the 16th century. The island is covered in pine trees and subtropical scrub, offering a tranquil escape from the city.
Lopud Island, covering 5 square kilometers, boasts a fertile valley sheltered from the winds by two ranges of hills. The island features two ruined forts from the 16th century and the Franciscan Monastery dates back to 1483. The sandy beach at Šunj in the southeast attracts many visitors, and the church on the island is also worth visiting for its collection of art.
Šipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands at 16 square kilometers, is home to two towns. In Šipanska Luka, you’ll find the pre-Romanesque Church of a Benedictine Monastery, while in Suđurađ, there’s a castle and the ruins of a bishop’s palace.
Pelješac Peninsula
Sailing northwest from the Elaphite Islands, you’ll reach the Pelješac Peninsula, home to the medieval town of Ston. The Pelješac Peninsula extends 65 km from the mainland but is only 7 km wide at its broadest point. A mountain chain forms its spine, peaking at Mount St. Elijah. The slopes and plains are covered with vineyards and fruit trees, while the shallow coastal waters are known for oyster farming.
The town closest to the mainland is Ston, primarily visited for its spectacular defensive walls that stretch across the surrounding hills. These walls, begun in the 14th century, served as the Dubrovnik Republic’s primary northern defense line and remain one of the largest defensive structures in the world. Over 5 km of walls climb from Ston, the main heart of the town, to Mali Ston on the eastern coast of the peninsula. Visitors can walk the entire stretch, ending at Mali Ston’s 14th-century Fort Koruna.
Another great town to visit by boat is Orebić. It has a Maritime Museum that showcases the history of its inhabitants, who were among the most sought-after sea captains in the Mediterranean. The sweeping Trstenica Bay on the eastern side of Orebić is one of the finest shingle beaches in Dalmatia.
Just west of the town is a Franciscan Monastery founded in the 15th century. Orebić is located at the edge of one of Croatia’s most prized wine-growing areas, with nearby villages producing highly regarded red wines made from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape.
Korčula Island
Just 1 nautical mile from the Pelješac Peninsula lies the beautiful island of Korčula. Once known as “Korkyra Melaina” (Black Korkyra) by the ancient Greeks due to its dense forests, the island suffered a significant fire in 1998 that affected much of its central area. With over 16,000 residents, Korčula is the second most populated island in the Adriatic, after Krk.
Today, Korčula is a popular holiday destination, known for its cliffs, sandy beaches, charming villages, and its main town, Korčula.
Korčula Town
Korčula Town sits atop a peninsula, surrounded by imposing 13th-century walls. These walls were strengthened with towers and bastions by the Venetians in the 15th century, making Korčula one of the first Adriatic towns to fall under Venetian control. A walk through the old town reveals a rich history, with few other towns in the Adriatic experiencing as many battles and power shifts. One of Korčula’s most famous historical figures is Marco Polo, who is believed to have been born here, with his birthplace located in the heart of the old town.
Just offshore, you’ll find a few small islands, the largest being Badija. The island is named after the Franciscan Monastery built here in 1392 by monks fleeing Bosnia. Badija offers excellent anchorage and secluded beaches.
While there are several berthing options, the safest choice is ACI Marina Korčula, located right in the old town.
Vela Luka
Vela Luka, located on the western side of the island, boasts the largest bay on Korčula. Within this bay are numerous smaller coves, with the town of Vela Luka at the very end. While the bay offers good protection, it is exposed to NW, W and SW winds.
Vela Spilja 
Vela Spilja 
Proizd
In front of Vela Luka Bay lies the island of Proizd, known for its stunning beaches. We recommend anchoring at Proizd during the day and moving to a berth in Vela Luka in the evening. On a hillside above the town, you’ll find the partially open cave “Vela Špilja,” inhabited from around 18,000 BC. Artifacts from the site are displayed in the Vela Luka Museum.
Lumbarda
Lumbarda, a village 6 km southeast of Korčula Town, is believed to have been founded by Greeks from Vis. Today, it is a key center for the production of the white wine called Grk. Korčula is very popular with sailors and during high season, finding a berth can be challenging without a reservation.
If you can’t secure a spot in Korčula, we recommend sailing to Lumbarda. The Lumbarda Marina, with its 150 berths, is an excellent alternative. However, note that in 2024, the marina was temporarily closed to boats in transit.
Lastovo
The island of Lastovo, surrounded by about 40 smaller islands and rocky islets, was once a restricted military zone and thus closed to tourists. This isolation has helped preserve its historic buildings and nature. Lastovo is now part of a nature park and boasts numerous small and large bays; we’ll highlight 3-4 larger ones that are worth a visit for those chartering a boat from Dubrovnik.
On the north side of the island lies Zaklopatica Bay. The western passage is shallow at 1.5 meters deep, so most boats enter the bay through the eastern passage, which is 7.5 meters deep. The bay has a few mooring buoys and a quay and offers good protection from almost all winds.
From Zaklopatica, it is recommended to take a 2.5 km walk to the town of Lastovo. Perched on a steep slope facing the sun, Lastovo is the island’s “capital,” home to about 600-700 residents, with another 100 scattered across the island. In summer, the population swells with tourists and former islanders returning home. In Lastovo, you’ll find a few cafés, restaurants and small supermarkets for supplies.
Veli Lago
On the west side of the island is the large, deeply indented Veli Lago bay. Within this large bay are three smaller bays that offer good protection from all winds: Jurjeva Luka and Pasadur Bay on the north side and Ubli on the southeast side of Veli Lago.
Skrivena Luka
On the south side of Lastovo is one of its most famous bays, Skrivena Luka, also known as the “Hidden Harbor.” True to its name, Skrivena Luka provides excellent shelter from winds in all directions.
The entrance to the bay has a depth of 8 meters, while the middle ranges from 12 to 15 meters. The bay has three restaurants with small piers and some mooring buoys. A road leads to the cliff where the Struga lighthouse is located. Since your boat will be well-protected in the bay, we recommend taking a walk to the cliff and the lighthouse, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
Mljet
The island of Mljet, known as Melita by the Romans and Meleda by the Venetians, spans an area of 100 square kilometers and is considered the most forested island in Croatia. Beyond its stunning landscapes, Mljet boasts a rich history and many archaeological and cultural sites.
The main port on the island is Sobra, a wide and deep bay with several restaurants and a supermarket. On the southern side of the island is Odysseus’ Cave, named after the legendary hero who, according to myth, was lured to Mljet by the nymph Calypso.
While on the southern side of the island, you can stop for a swim in the southeastern bay of Saplunara or the neighboring bay of Limoni. Both bays are suitable for anchoring and in Saplunara Bay, you can find one of the 20 mooring buoys. The bay is well-protected from the Bura and Jugo winds, but caution is needed with southwest winds as there is no shelter. Both Limoni and Saplunara are sandy bays surrounded by sandy beaches, making them ideal for children on board.
National park Mljet
The Mljet National Park is located in the western part of this lush and green island. To fully enjoy the park, it’s best to moor in the bays of Polače or Pomena. The park’s beauty and pristine nature will leave you in awe. The terrain is mountainous, with two limestone depressions containing saltwater lakes connected by a channel. In Roman times, galleys would take shelter in Polače Bay, where a small settlement emerged—some ruins can still be seen today. In 1151, Duke Desa gave the island to the Benedictines of Pulsano in Gargano, Italy, who founded a monastery here.
In the morning or evening, we recommend taking a walk in the shade of the centuries-old pine forests. While the island’s interior is rather inaccessible due to dense maquis, the best way to appreciate Mljet’s beautiful landscape is from the water.
