Captain Rusty Pete   Island Adventures

Sailing in the Dalmations, Split, Croatia

Pakleni Islands

Maslinica, Croatia

Pakleni, Croatia

SAMPLE ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Maslinica

Maslinica sailing brings you into the heart of the central Dalmatian Islands just to the south of the busy port of Split on the mainland. This small harbor on the isle of Solta is known for its beauty and quiet ambience, its olive groves and its fine beaches. In fact, its name is derived from the word maslina, which means olive. Once reliant solely on fishing, Maslinica has in recent years begun catering to tourists who come for the serenity, the delicious food in the taverns, and to relax on the beach.

 

Day 2 - Vis Town

Sailing in Vis Town waters takes you 24 nautical miles off the coast of Croatia, with the large islands of Brac and Hvar to the northeast and lovely Korcula due east. Situated at the northeastern end of the isle of Vis, Vis Town is the oldest settlement in Dalmatia. It dates back to 397 B.C. when the ruler of Sicily at the time, Dionysius, established a town on the site of the present-day port that spreads out along the shores of a wide bay with pine forests climbing the slopes beyond. The southern portion of Vis Town has its share of beautiful stone buildings built in the 16th and 17th centuries, including Garibaldi Palace. The historic nature of Vis Town is sure to fascinate you, and its shops and restaurants are pleasing as well. In short, Vis Town sailing introduces you to one of the jewels of the Dalmatian Islands.

 

Day 3 - Komiza

The isle of Vis has many towns of differing ambience and appeal. There’s the ancient and yet modernly urban settlement of Vis Town, and then there are the picturesque and distinctly rural fishing villages such as Komiza. Vis was for many years a Yugoslav military base closed to tourism. It only opened after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia, bringing back the tourists starting in 1990. As a consequence, Vis has remained much as it was for centuries, with lush forests of pine, groves of olive, mandarin orange, and carob trees, vast vineyards, and an abundance of wild herbs such as rosemary and sage. The picturesque village of Komiza is a fine example of Old World Vis. Sailing in Vis waters leads you into the small bay with forested Hum Hill in the background. There are pleasant shops, restaurants, a selection of beaches, and a very popular nightclub a short distance from the village center on Kamencia Beach.

 

Day 4 - St. Clement Island

Sailing in St. Clement waters takes you to the Pakleni Islands just off Hvar Town, on Hvar Island. Beautiful and remote, the isles of this small sub-group of the central Dalmatians are known for magnificent beaches and a sense of serenity, an Old World charm of the Adriatic. St. Clement Island (also called Veli Otok or the Big Island) has a splendid little harbor, Palmizana Cove, with a marina and several good restaurants right on the waterfront. The Pakleni islands have been settled for thousands of years, as evidenced by the Illyrian burial mounds dating back to the 4th century B.C. and ruins of ancient Roman homes.

 

Day 5 - Hvar Island

Like Vis, Hvar Island is rich in history and lush with abundant stands of pine. Lavender is a major crop and fields of heather are common. The Venetians played a prominent role in the island’s history and the architecture of the small and large towns reflects it. The picturesque village of Vrboska, for example, looks like a little Venice. It’s a remarkably beautiful waterfront town, a must-see when you go sailing in Hvar waters. On the south side of the island is chic Hvar Town, a major tourist destination in Croatia often likened to St. Tropez on the French Riviera. Fronting this busy port are the Pakleni Islands, including the rural and breathtakingly beautiful St. Clement, the largest of the group. Hvar sailing can combine the scenic and laid-back ambience of Vrboska with the lively nightlife of Hvar Town, and a chance to sail into the island’s numerous secluded coves and bays to swim, snorkel, and just relax aboard your yacht.

 

Day 6 - Brac Island

Located east of Solta and north of Hvar islands, Brac is one of the larger isles along the entire Croatian Coast, with a total area of 244 square miles. It has 11 towns and villages and is home to the resorts of Supetar and Bol, both famous for fabulous beaches. Mountains rise from the interior, reaching a height of 2,552 feet above sea level at Vidova Gora, making it possible for you to see Brac from a great distance as you approach the island. Dense pine forests cloak parts of the hills and mountains, and surround many of the picturesque hamlets and fishing ports. Brac is famous for its stone quarries, as has been the case for centuries. It’s also famous for its beaches, resort towns, intimate cafés, upscale restaurants, and its watersports, including excellent snorkeling. When you go sailing in Brac waters, you’re sure to have a memorable experience.

 

 

*Note – Itinerary subject to change depending on sea and weather conditions. Skipper has final decision.