Breach Dubrovnik’s mighty walls

One of Croatia’s ancient coastal cities, ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’ is numbered among the best-preserved medieval walled cities on Earth. Croatia presents conditions ideal for those new to coastal sailing, with gentle winds and fine weather promising many pleasant hours on deck. For those with a taste for adventure, occasional mistral winds up the ante and present more challenging conditions.

Dubrovnik’s historic fortifications surround picturesque white stone buildings, their terracotta roofs standing out in contrast to the rich azure blue of the Adriatic beyond. The Old Town is a taste of Mediterranean life from another era. The harbour is overlooked by Dubrovnik’s ancient citadels and scattered with a number of spectacular Renaissance palaces leading on to a warren of pedestrian-only streets. Crystal-clear blue waters give way to white-sand beaches and secluded coves, while the thousands of Croatian islands offer endless opportunities for adventure.

Just outside Dubrovnik harbour you’ll find the first of Croatia’s many isles: densely-wooded Lokrum, home to the ruins of a Benedictine monastery. Sail north and discover Mljet National Park - home to natural harbours, stunning beaches and tidal island lakes - and the island getaways of Korčula and Lastovo. Beyond are the countless islands of the Dalmatian coast and a wealth of golden beaches, delicious seafood restaurants and exciting nightlife.

Where is the best place to sail in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik is renowned for its smooth sailing conditions, spectacular scenery, golden beaches and incredible architecture. With so much to explore and uncover along the coast, you might be wondering, where are the best places to sail in Dubrovnik?

For Families

If you’re looking for a family holiday that blends history with adventure, Dubrovnik is the ideal sailing charter destination. Set sail towards Mljet and spend your afternoon snorkelling and swimming in the sheltered bay of Okuklje. You can also try their world-renowned chocolate lava! Stick with the nautical theme and visit the interesting Maritime Museum. 

For Nature Lovers

With some of the most breathtaking scenery and landscapes in the whole of the Mediterranean, everywhere you turn in Dubrovnik, you’ll find astonishing natural beauty. Our top three natural beauty spots in Dubrovnik are:

• Lokrum Island

• Mljet National Park

• Pelješac Peninsula

For first-time sailors

With line of sight navigation and calm waters, Dubrovnik is a ‘level 1’ sailing destination, which means it’s ideal for first-time sailors. You can also take advantage of our skippered charter option, leaving an experienced skipper to take the helm and navigate you and your friends or family around the Croatian coastline.

If you’re booking a yacht charter in Dubrovnik for the first time, follow one of our one-week itineraries and experience the gems of the Adriatic Sea, including:

• Pelješac

• Korčula

• Mljet

• Šipan

• Herceg Novi

• Bigova

• Tivat

What are the best things to do in Dubrovnik?

Whether you’re travelling around Croatia and the glorious Adriatic Sea with your friends, family or as a group, take a look at some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik.

Relaxing

You deserve to sit back, relax and feel the sun on your face. Dubrovnik is home to a combination of beautiful sandy and rocky beaches, each one perfect for sunbathing and soaking up the sun. Want to completely switch off from the world? Proizd Island’s beaches were recently named some of the best in the world for recharging and relaxing. 

Exploring 

Hiring a yacht in Dubrovnik makes it easy and convenient to explore by sea and land. Immerse yourself into Dubrovnik’s rich history by uncovering the treasures of Dubrovnik Old Town. Set sail to Betina Cave Beach, a stunning, secluded beach that’s only accessible by boat. Follow our Montenegro itinerary and discover the iconic Blue Cave in Herceg Novi. 

Underwater adventures

The Adriatic is a turquoise paradise waiting to be explored. Moor up on the island of Badija and enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling. Swim in the stunning saltwater lakes of Mljet National Park. Head to the mini volcanic island of Jabuka, not far from the coast of Dubrovnik, and challenge yourself to some incredible scuba diving.

History and culture

Dubrovnik is truly a cultural wonderland, with countless fortresses, museums, palaces and other historic sites. Our top five historical attractions to visit during your Dubrovnik yacht charter are:

• Dubrovnik City Walls

• Fort Lovrijenac

• Rector’s Palace

• Tvrđava Minčeta

• Church of St. Blaise

When is the best time of year to visit Dubrovnik?

The best time of year to visit Dubrovnik is between April and October.

The sailing season in Dubrovnik runs from April-October, with the most popular time being July and August. This is similar to our other Mediterranean destinations, such as Athens and Lefkas.

Are you looking for a tranquil, secluded yacht charter in Dubrovnik where you can escape reality and feel your worries melt away? Book your Dubrovnik sailing holiday between April-May or September-October to enjoy quieter beaches and less tourists.

We close our Dubrovnik base between the end of November and early March each year. Take a look at our other sailing destinations in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and South Pacific to find Winter sun alternatives.

What are the sailing conditions in Dubrovnik like?

Dubrovnik’s sailing conditions offer the best of both worlds. With calm waters and stunning temperatures in the Summer, Dubrovnik is the perfect destination for your first-time sailing. However, the Mistral winds can occasionally create challenging, windy conditions that are an experienced sailor’s paradise!

Much like our other destinations in Croatia, such as Agana, Dubrovnik enjoys average temperatures of between 16°C-28°C in July and August. You’ll also find average wind speeds of between 7-9 knots during the Summer, ensuring smooth sailing as you cruise around the Adriatic Sea.

Take a look at the ‘sailing conditions’ tab to find out more about the average temperatures, rainfall and wind speeds in Dubrovnik.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Dubrovnik?

We are delighted to offer bespoke sailing holidays in Dubrovnik, tailored to your exact requirements. The cost of your yacht charter will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• When you visit Dubrovnik

• How many people are joining you on your sailing holiday

• How long you want to sail around the Adriatic for

• Whether you book a bareboat, skippered or flotilla charter

• Whether you hire a catamaran or monohull

• What your Dubrovnik itinerary looks like

• Extras

To learn more about the costs of chartering a yacht in Dubrovnik, build a quote and start planning your dream holiday today.

How much are the moorings fees in Dubrovnik?

The average cost for a 35” yacht in the quiet season is around EUR 62.00, while in the peak season you may pay around EUR 76.00. 

For a larger yacht of 55”, you could be looking at EUR 136.00 in the low season and EUR 160.00 during the high season.

However, Moorings fees do tend to differ depending on where in Croatia you are and, more specifically, mooring fees in Dubrovnik will vary from marina to marina.

You may pay more or less depending on:

• The type of yacht you have (as with other Mediterranean destinations such as Greece and Italy, you may be expected to pay a supplement of up to 60% if you are sailing a catamaran)

• The size of your yacht

• How long you’re mooring up for

• What time of year you visit

How long does it take to sail Dubrovnik?

One week is the perfect duration for a sailing holiday in Dubrovnik.

With its rich history, captivating architecture and breathtaking natural beauty, it’s no wonder that Dubrovnik is one of the top sailing spots in the world. You could spend months exploring the affectionately-named ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and still uncover new treasures everyday.

A croatia yacht charter of this length allows you to relax and switch off on some of the secluded beaches while also having plenty of time to snorkel, wander around Dubrovnik Old Town and enjoy authentic Croatian cuisine. 

What you get up to during your idyllic yacht charter is completely up to you, we have four Dubrovnik itineraries that you can take inspiration from:

• One-week Dubrovnik bareboat itinerary

• One-week Montenegro itinerary

• Elafiti one-week flotilla

• Korčula one-week flotilla