What It’s Really Like to Join a Skippered Sailing Trip in Croatia (Honest Review)
TL;DR
Island-hopping in Croatia turned out to be far more social, comfortable, and adventurous than we expected – but before you book, here’s the honest reality about whether this pricey sailing trip is actually worth it.
Thinking about booking a sailing holiday in Croatia, but wondering what it’s really like?
After spending some days sailing around Croatia on a catamaran, we can confidently say: it was one of the most unique trips we’ve ever done – but it definitely isn’t for everyone.
Our honest review of our skippered sailing trip in Croatia covers exactly what it’s like to go island-hopping in the Adriatic – from stunning places and surprisingly amazing food to rough seas and shared cabins.
Honest Review: Skippered Sailing in Croatia
We sailed in Croatia with More Sailing. This review is about our personal experience:
Where We Sailed
We sailed around the most popular sailing region in Croatia, the Adriatic Sea.
Our trip started in Trogir, just outside Split. From there, we explored some of Croatia’s most famous islands, including:
- Šolta
- Brač
- Hvar
Routes vary depending on weather and harbour availability, so everyone's exact itinerary will probably look slightly different.
The Adriatic is generally known for calm sailing conditions, especially during peak summer. Since we travelled in May, we had a mix of beautiful sunny sailing days and a few surprisingly choppy crossings. Nothing dramatic – but enough to remind us that this is still the open sea, not a floating all-inclusive resort.
The Boat
We sailed on a Lagoon 42 catamaran, which felt far more spacious than we expected.
It had room for 8 guests plus 2 skippers, spread across four double cabins. Each cabin included:
- A double bed
- Private bathroom
- Very hot showers (surprisingly good pressure)
- Air conditioning that could also heat
- Limited storage space for luggage
The shared spaces are:
- A cosy indoor lounge
- Covered outdoor seating at the back
- Front deck hammocks for sunbathing and reading
There are a few boat quirks worth knowing:
- You cannot flush toilet paper. This is standard on many boats, but if you’ve never sailed before, it takes some adjusting.
- Bring a USB charger or power bank. The regular power outlets only worked when we were docked in port.
- WiFi worked well onboard. We were honestly expecting patchy internet at best, so this was a pleasant surprise.
- Boats are usually barefoot (or socks) only.
The Food
We weren’t expecting much. Boat food has a certain reputation. We were very wrong. The food was genuinely excellent and quickly became one of our highlights of the trip.
Everything was served communally, which made meals feel social without being forced. There were also plenty of drinks available all day long, both alcoholic (after 11 am) and non-alcoholic.
Our typical food schedule looked like this:
- Breakfast. Usually porridge, bread, yoghurt, fruit, eggs, cold cuts, spreads, as well as tea, coffee, and juice.
- Elevensies. Yes, like Hobbits. Usually fruit, cookies and/or crisps while sailing. This also helps against seasickness.
- Lunch. A full, freshly prepared meal served family-style. Usually, several dishes including salads and hot dishes, vegetarian and meat options, and everything you could wish for.
- Fika. A very Swedish afternoon coffee-and-cake break.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
This was our rough daily rhythm:
Morning
We were woken up to enjoy breakfast together, followed by a short briefing from the skippers about weather conditions and the plan for the day.
Afterwards, we’d set sail toward a sheltered bay. Sometimes this meant proper sailing with the sails up and the engine off. Other times, we motored, depending on wind conditions. On the way, we were served our Elvensies snack.
Midday
We’d anchor in a quiet bay for swimming or relaxing. This quickly became our favourite part of each day. Crystal-clear water, no crowds, and jumping straight off the boat into the Adriatic never got old (although the water was chilly in May).
Lunch was served on board afterwards.
After lunch, we usually had time to digest, relax, nap, or read.
Afternoon / Evening
Most days, we’d sail toward a harbour town for the night.
Once docked, everyone would shower, freshen up, and head out for dinner. Our skippers always had great recommendations for us, and we decided to hit the town as a group every evening.
All of us opted for early nights.
What’s Included?
Our trip included:
- Professional skippers
- Food (breakfast, lunch, and snacks)
- Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Bed linen and towels
- Other boat expenses, such as port fees and fuel
Once onboard, we barely spent anything.
You’ll need to budget separately for:
- Getting to and from the departure port
- Dinner ashore each evening
- Personal spending in towns
- Croatian harbour towns can be pricey in summer, so dinner costs can add up quickly if you’re eating out every night. There are supermarkets and/or bakeries in most places to keep the cost down.
- You can easily take the public bus (number 37) from the airport in Split to Trogir.
Who Is this Trip For?
This trip works especially well for:
- Couples (share the boat to lower the cost of chartering a whole boat)
- Solo travellers (a surprisingly social setup, and sharing a cabin lowers the price significantly)
- Friend groups (renting the whole catamaran would be incredible)
A skippered sailing trip is great for complete beginners, as you do not need any sailing experience. It’s also perfect for active travellers who find the idea of lying beside the same hotel pool for a week unbearable.
If you love structured luxury resorts where everything is predictable and private, this probably isn’t your trip.
What Surprised Us?
One thing that genuinely surprised us was how quickly life on board became social. Sharing a boat with strangers for a week sounds like it could go either very well or very badly. We were half expecting awkward silences at breakfast and people retreating into their cabins whenever possible. Instead, it felt incredibly easy.
We were also surprised by how comfortable sleeping on board was. Before the trip, we imagined small cabins, constant rocking, and broken sleep. The beds were comfortable, and after a full day in the sun and sea, falling asleep was never an issue.
Another thing we didn’t fully realise beforehand was how little sailing experience actually matters. You can be as involved as you want to be. If you’re curious, the skippers are usually more than happy to explain what they’re doing, show you how things work, and even let you help out. But if your ideal sailing holiday involves doing absolutely nothing except reading your book and occasionally jumping into the sea, that’s perfectly fine too.
Something else worth mentioning – and honestly a huge plus we hadn’t expected – was the infrastructure in Croatian ports: Clean washrooms, proper hot showers, laundry facilities, little supermarkets, restaurants, and even reliable WiFi were pretty standard.
The Downsides
That said, no trip is perfect, and there were a few downsides.
Privacy is definitely limited. Even with private cabins and bathrooms, you’re still living in fairly close quarters. If you’re travelling solo and sharing a cabin with a stranger, that becomes even more noticeable. If you’re someone who needs a lot of personal space to recharge, it’s something to seriously consider.
The weather also affects everything. The Adriatic is usually fairly calm, but when conditions shift, plans shift with them. Sometimes routes change, harbour stops get swapped around, or a sailing day turns into motoring instead. That’s simply part of travelling by boat. If you need every detail of your holiday locked in advance, that unpredictability might frustrate you. We were always able to communicate our route preferences, though.
Would We Recommend Skippered Sailing in Croatia?
Absolutely!
It’s expensive, yes. But it’s also one of the most memorable ways to experience Croatia. You reach hidden bays you’d never find by car. You wake up directly on the water. You get adventure, comfort, incredible scenery, and a built-in social experience all at once.
Most importantly, we felt completely looked after. The skippers handled everything calmly and professionally, the food was excellent, and the whole experience felt special from start to finish.
If you’re open-minded, reasonably flexible, and excited by the idea of trading hotel hallways for open water, skippered sailing in Croatia is 100% worth it.
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored, but we were invited on the sailing trip. Our review does reflect our honest opinion.
