{"id":58527,"date":"2025-06-10T08:48:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T08:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/en\/?p=58527"},"modified":"2026-07-30T07:19:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T07:19:34","slug":"best-islands-in-croatia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/en\/best-islands-in-croatia\/","title":{"rendered":"A Complete Guide to the Best Islands in Croatia for Yacht Charterers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Croatia<\/a> scatters more than a thousand islands along one of the easiest coastlines in the Mediterranean to sail: warm, tideless water, short hops between anchorages, and an old port town or a quiet cove wherever you point the bow. This is the rundown of the islands worth building a week around, from the famous headliners to a few that stay off most maps.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Aerial
The Dalmatian coast: a thousand islands, short hops between them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
The main Croatian islands at a glance, with the detail on each below.<\/caption>
Island<\/th>Known for<\/th>Don’t miss<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Hvar<\/strong><\/td>Glamour, nightlife, lavender<\/td>The fortress, Carpe Diem, Pakleni coves<\/td><\/tr>
Kor\u010dula<\/strong><\/td>Walled old town, white wine<\/td>The old town, Vela Luka swims<\/td><\/tr>
Vis<\/strong><\/td>Remote, unspoiled, ex-military<\/td>Komi\u017ea, the Blue Cave<\/td><\/tr>
Mljet<\/strong><\/td>National park, saltwater lakes<\/td>Pola\u010de bay, the lakes<\/td><\/tr>
Bra\u010d<\/strong><\/td>Beaches and hiking<\/td>Zlatni Rat, Vidova Gora<\/td><\/tr>
\u0160olta<\/strong><\/td>Slow, quiet, close to Split<\/td>Maslinica, olive-oil tasting<\/td><\/tr>
Lastovo<\/strong><\/td>Remote nature park, dark skies<\/td>Stargazing, quiet anchorages<\/td><\/tr>
Dubrovnik (Elafiti Islands)<\/strong><\/td>Car-free islands off Dubrovnik<\/td>\u0160ipan, Lopud, Kolo\u010dep<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n

The Islands, One by One<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Hvar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Hvar is the coast’s glamour island: turquoise coves, lavender fields and the loudest nightlife on the Adriatic. Tie up under the 16th-century fortress in Hvar Town<\/a>, and if you want a quiet night, slip across to the Pakleni Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Aerial
Hvar. Photo by Nick Seagrave on Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Kor\u010dula<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Walled and medieval, Korčula<\/a> is often called Little Dubrovnik, and it claims Marco Polo as a son. Wander the old town’s herringbone lanes, cycle the vineyards for its crisp white wines, and anchor near Vela Luka for a quiet swim.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kor\u010dula. Photo by Rebecca Stremitzer on Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Vis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

The furthest of the main islands, and for many sailors the most beautiful. A military base until the 1990s, it stayed unspoiled. Eat fresh fish on the Komiža waterfront and take a morning trip to the Blue Cave on nearby Biševo.<\/p>\n\n\n

Mljet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Half of Mljet is a national park built around two saltwater lakes. Rent a bike or a kayak, hike the pine forest, and anchor in Polače, one of the safest and stillest bays in the Adriatic.<\/p>\n\n\n

Bra\u010d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Brač<\/a> does a bit of everything: beaches, hiking and lively towns. Its star is Zlatni Rat, the shifting golden-horn spit that is one of Europe’s most photographed beaches. Base in Bol and hike Vidova Gora for the view.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u0160olta<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Just off Split and often overlooked, Šolta<\/a> is all slow living: quiet bays, stone villages and olive groves. Maslinica is the pretty marina town, and an olive-oil tasting is the local ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n

Lastovo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Remote and protected, Lastovo is a nature park with some of the darkest skies in the Adriatic. Dive the clear water, anchor in a secluded bay, and stock up before you go, because shops are few.<\/p>\n\n\n

Dubrovnik (Elafiti Islands)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Dubrovnik<\/a>’s walled city is the headline, but the nearby Elafiti Islands are the escape. Sail to Šipan, Lopud or Koločep for calm anchorages, car-free lanes and small tavernas.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Aerial
Dubrovnik and the Elafiti Islands. Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Plan the Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

String them into a route.<\/strong> Not sure how to link the islands together? We have mapped three full weeks, including the classic Split loop through Brač, Hvar and Vis, in our 3 one-week Croatia sailing itineraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Pick your month.<\/strong> May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm water, fewer boats, easier marinas. Our month-by-month guide<\/a> breaks down the whole season.<\/p>\n\n\n

Go quieter.<\/strong> Want the islands the crowds miss? Silba, Susak, Šćedro and the Kornati barely register on the tourist maps: see the hidden gems of the Croatian islands<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Know the budget and the rules.<\/strong> Our charter cost breakdown<\/a> and Croatia licence guide<\/a> cover what a week costs and whether you need a skipper.<\/p>\n\n\n

Eating Your Way Round the Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"A
Island konobas: grilled fish, peka and local wine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Island food is half the trip. Look for grilled fish straight off the boat, octopus or lamb slow-cooked under a peka<\/em> lid, and scampi in a garlicky buzara<\/em>. Hit the morning green markets in towns like Hvar and Vis for produce, eat at the konobas tucked into quiet coves, and take an olive-oil tasting or a vineyard tour on Šolta, Brač or Korčula. Time a stop around a local feast day and you will eat even better.<\/p>\n\n\n

Best Croatian Islands FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

What are the best islands in Croatia for sailing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

The best islands for sailing are Hvar (lavender and nightlife), Vis (remote and historic), Korčula (Marco Polo’s home), Brač (Zlatni Rat beach), Mljet (national-park forest) and the Kornati archipelago. Each pairs well with a 7-day charter from Split or Šibenik.<\/p>\n\n\n

How many days do I need to see Croatia’s best islands?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Plan 7 days for the highlights: Hvar, Vis, Korčula and Brač fit into one week from Split. Add 3 to 4 days for Mljet and Lastovo if you start in Dubrovnik. The Kornati alone deserve 3 to 5 days. Two weeks lets you cover both ends of the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n

Which Croatian island is best for first-time visitors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Hvar is the easiest first stop: regular catamarans from Split, a UNESCO old town, restaurants, beaches and famous nightlife. Brač (Zlatni Rat) and Korčula come next. Vis and Mljet suit visitors who prefer remote anchorages to busy harbours.<\/p>\n\n\n

Can I visit Croatia’s best islands without a boat?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

You can reach most of them without a boat: ferries and fast catamarans run from Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik to Hvar, Brač, Vis, Korčula and Mljet. A charter yacht is faster and reaches bays no ferry serves, but a ferry-and-stay week works for first-timers.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is the most beautiful island in Croatia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Many sailors name Vis: 25 nautical miles offshore, no resort sprawl, Stiniva Cove, the Blue Cave and Komiža’s quiet harbour. Mljet’s national park is a close second for anyone who prefers forest and lakes to coastal towns.<\/p>\n\n\n

Ready to go? Browse boats in Croatia<\/a> and start planning your island-hopping week.<\/p>\n\n\n