What It’s Really Like Sailing in Croatia

I went on a Extra Crusing journey stopping in Maslinica, Stari Grad and the Šešula Bay, having fun with the views and villages as we went. When you’re pondering of doing a crusing journey in Croatia anytime quickly, right here’s all the pieces you have to learn about this one.

The thought of crusing round Croatia on a luxurious yacht with simply eight friends (plus two crew) instantly appealed. Signal me up.

I’d been on a crusing journey in Croatia earlier than, however that was positively the price range model. This journey with Extra Crusing








felt far more suited to the place I’m in life now: nonetheless adventurous, nonetheless loving a superb value, however with a couple of extra comforts thrown in.

Don’t get me fallacious, my crusing journey with Tao Philippines stays top-of-the-line journey experiences I’ve ever had. However that was very a lot 2016 Vicky. That is 2026 Vicky.

With greater than 1,200 islands scattered alongside the Croatian coast, it’s certainly one of Europe’s greatest crusing locations. I’ve visited Croatia a number of instances earlier than, together with journeys to Zadar, Bibinje, Cut up and Dubrovnik, however it all of the sudden hit me simply how way back these adventures have been.

Sixteen years.

It was positively time to return.

Who’re Extra Crusing?

In short Extra Crusing are a Swedish firm who run bareboat charters (the place you simply rent the boat) and skippers charters (that include workers) across the islands of Croatia, and in Sweden. 

Their excursions run from the port in Trogir, close to Cut up. They run 7-day excursions on a tough route which is set by the climate situations on the day.

Listed below are a couple of pics of Trogir within the rain – an exquisite place to start out your journey.

My Croatia crusing itinerary

Day 1: Trogir To Maslinica

It was lashing rain and thunderstorms after we boarded White Ivy – our boat for the subsequent 4 days. Sure, my spirits have been dampened. Nobody goes on a crusing journey wanting it to be raining, particularly in June in Croatia.

Fortunately Magnus (our skipper) and Ronja (our host) placed on a particular unfold for us, with Brut, to welcome us on. Breakfast and lunch are included within the value you pay. And that garlic bread cheered me proper up, as we went around the group introducing ourselves and attending to know one another.

We quickly set sail to Maslinica, leaving the thunderstorms and rain behind. Now that it’d gone I realised it was really form of cool to have been sat on the boat with the loopy climate throughout us – however solely now that it’d gone.

We sailed for about two hours, settling in to circulation of the boat as we did. By the point we bought to Maslinica at 6pm it was a wonderful night.

We had a bit of wander round to the seaside and into the village. God it was beautiful, and felt particularly gorgeous after the specter of the drearier climate.

Maslinica is a bit of harbour village with what appeared like solely male locals filling the bars and feasting on fish platters. After a (quick) wander round Monica and I bought a wine and beer and sat outdoors a restaurant absorbing the final of the solar. The wine right here was €3 a glass – all the pieces was good.

Then we had reservations with the remainder of the group at Restaurant Šakajet, a restaurant really useful by Magnus. Sadly it was within the shade of the sundown. Relying on the time of your go to, I’d suggest you go to Seashore Bar Punta for the very best sundown vibes.

I nonetheless loved it although!

I had an enormous plate of Ćevapi – a Croatian feast that was a bit like a kebab, or gyros. It was served with some actually tasty bread, and a cheesey aspect. Simply what I wanted.

Drained from my 4am begin, eventful day, and heavy meal, we wandered the 5 minutes (if that) again to our boat, and I used to be tucked up in mattress by about 9:30pm. Cosy, comfy and prepared for the subsequent day. 

Day 2: Maslinica to Stari Grad

I bought up as quickly as I woke as much as go and lie out on the pebbly seaside underneath the solar with my music. I watched a couple of guys swim out however didn’t wish to return to the boat to get my stuff. I knew I’d be swimming within the azure waters that day although – it regarded wonderful!

Breakfast on the boat was an unimaginable show, particularly given it was certainly one of my fellow passengers’ birthdays. Ronja our 20-year-old skipper from Finland was an awesome host, quietly placing collectively wonderful meals over the few days on the 2 hobs and small worktop house within the boat’s kitchen. 

After everybody had completed with breakfast and showering within the (first rate) marina showers, it was time to go. There was a bathe on board however we have been requested to make use of the marina ones if attainable, simply so we didn’t have to select up additional water alongside the way in which.

Ronja and Magnus gave us a rundown of the place we’d be going that day, and off we went. Time to discover the Solta space of Croatia!

It was so good simply cruising alongside on the boat. When you wished to provide driving the boat a go, you can. Or, you can simply lie down on the entrance and benefit from the trip. Clearly I did this, however there have been some eager sailors on board who beloved the chance for a go.

The boat by no means felt cramped. There have been 5 spots to lie down on padded cushions, then there was all of the netting and the edges too. There was house across the desk, and sufficient indoors too.

After about two hours (or was it three?) we anchored down in a reasonably cove, and it was time to leap in. The water was verging on chilly, however let’s go along with ‘refreshing’. Magnus’ pc confirmed it was 23C. I did a couple of laps around the boat and got here again on board to search out ‘Mojito Man’ serving up the strongest mojito I’d ever had the enjoyment to strive. He charged €10 a pop – a cut price given the quantity of rum in there!

Aaaand then we spent a couple of hours consuming one other wonderful unfold and leaping within the water, chilling on the boat and chatting. I imply, does this sound like heaven to you? It positively does to me!

After a couple of hours we ventured on to Stari Grad. Extra gorgeous views of the Croatian coast, and extra stress-free within the solar with a Mojito buzz. And a wine one – all of the wine, beer and mushy drinks have been free on board.

We arrived into Stari Grad to Rojna’s fantastic birthday cake she’d made for Karolina. It was so beautiful to take a seat round chatting and having fun with a glass of wine to have a good time, earlier than getting a run down of the place we have been going and our route for the subsequent day.

Then it was time for a wander round, earlier than deciding on Restaurant Pinetta for dinner. I had a parma ham Caprese salad with some fried anchovies – so good, so Croatian.

The restaurant was down a reasonably aspect avenue with fairly lanterns. And we spent the night chatting earlier than wandering again to the boat for a nightcap within the social space, watching folks go by. 

What an ideal day!

Day 3: Stari Grad to Šišmiš Bay

After one other ‘acceptable’ evening’s sleep mendacity subsequent to my bunk mate Monica, I used to be up first to go and have a bathe on the marina showers. It felt good to clean up after retaining my salty hair from yesterday – the showers have been sturdy and scorching. I knew I’d be salty once more in a couple of hours, however I felt contemporary for breakfast.

One other fantastic croissanty breakfast on the boat. I’d by no means have brie and ham for breakfast at house, however when in Europe…

I went for a wander alongside the Stari Grad marina earlier than we set off and observed an distinctive quantity of individuals consuming gelato at 9am. The brie and ham didn’t appear too rogue in any case.

Come 9:30am, we have been off for our subsequent journey. I discovered my spot on the cushions on the entrance of the boat and loved the shoreline as we pulled out of the bay.

At 11am, we have been known as to the desk and welcomed with a pleasant cocktail of lemon sorbet and rosé wine, topped with a juicy section of orange. There’s a rule on board that drinks aren’t served earlier than 11am, so by then we have been greater than prepared for our somewhat refined model of elevenses.

After which Magnus and Ronja discovered us one other spectacular cove for a swim. Monica and I swam out to the closest land to discover the derelict homes. I couldn’t think about having these superbly situated homes and never utilizing them! My thoughts was dashing with the potential. 

Again on the boat for lemon tagliatelle, halloumi, cauliflower and caprese salad. I used to be getting used to this dolce vita now!

Then, it was a rocky, rocky trip to our subsequent vacation spot. In hour two I used to be beginning to really feel unwell and needed to have one of many numbing seasickness tablets Magnus was providing, as did three of the others. Oof, I used to be glad after we bought there.

As soon as everybody’s minds and stomachs had balanced Ronja purchased out one other pleasant tiny catamaran kitchen creation within the type of Pistachio crumble. Sadly the ice cream she’d made hadn’t fairly set – which I might really blame on (a few of us) filling the freezer with beers and wine and altering the temperature though didn’t voice it. Anyway, it was nonetheless a delight and so beautiful of her to make it and share it collectively. 

We’d reached our evening’s vacation spot, simply the opposite aspect of Maslinica in Šišmiš Bay. Right here we had a bouy mooring – which meant we have been simply in the course of the water not hooked up to land.

And that bouy belonged to the Šišmiš Restaurant, so by mooring there you needed to eat on the restaurant, which was no pores and skin off my nostril. Simply have a look at it! 

We really stayed on the boat a bit longer for a glass of wine, then bought prepared and took the dinghy off the again of the boat to drive over to the jetty. 

At Šišmiš Restaurant I had a Negroni sundowner, after which the most important tuna steak I feel I’ve really ever seen, with a shared aspect of potatoes and grilled greens. It was so, so massive and engaging. Undoubtedly no house for a dessert, however I did handle a pink wine chaser which was the right ending to the day. 

As our final evening most of us sat up and chatted. It’d been some time since I’d carried out a visit like this, assembly different travellers from all over the world and I actually loved the distant familiarity of it. Our group was made up of English, Croatians, Polish, Finnish and German and I beloved that we have been united and related on this wonderful expertise. 

Day 4: Šišmiš Bay to Trogir Marina

It was a really early morning waking as much as Magnus getting the boat able to go. We wanted to be again at Trogir Marina for 7am so the engines have been fired up at 4:30am. I caught my head out of the hatch and snapped an image of the dawn earlier than positioning myself by the window to look at as we glided by. Monica purchased me a espresso like the superb roomie she was.

Because the boat shifted I clocked that the view can be higher above, and I popped my head out of the hatch once more, wrapped in my cover for a greater view. I’m so glad I did. A couple of of the others have been laid up there admiring the identical dawn. It was a wonderful morning, however bittersweet because it was the top.

We arrived into Trogir Marina and had croissants and boiled eggs for breakfast. Monica and I did a fast yoga session to stretch out on the entrance of the boat after which it was time to go away. 

What an unimaginable journey – it felt like we’d carried out a lot however on the identical time, so little, within the three nights and 4 days.

Evaluate of the White Ivy catamaran

We stayed on a 10-person catamaran, known as White Ivy. Not Blue Ivy – I saved mistaking it for Beyonce’s daughter. There have been 4 double rooms after which two singles for the skippers. 

Cabins on our Extra Crusing journey

My roommate Monica will get seasick so Magnus instructed us that the entrance cabins have been higher for dealing with that, in order that’s the place we bedded in. It was a good double mattress for us two, though if you happen to have been any wider or larger you would possibly wrestle.

In our rooms there was a hatch within the roof – my favorite characteristic – after which a wardrobe every. We additionally had a smaller cabinet every and there was a great deal of space for storing underneath the mattress too. We didn’t actually need this as we’d each travelled with hand baggage. 

We had a window alongside the size, with a window that opened. Be certain to make use of the fly display on the ceiling hatch as a mosquito did get in a single evening, buzzing round. There was additionally a fan, which we didn’t want. 

Monica and I have been completely high quality in there. There was one different couple in our crusing group after which 4 solo travellers who needed to buddy up. I didn’t hear any complaints!

Loos on the Extra Crusing catamaran

There was a rest room for either side of the boat which had a bathroom, sink and bathe. The bathroom had a swap to press to make use of, and also you needed to put your bathroom roll within the bin. We have been inspired to make use of the bogs within the marinas if attainable, and positively the showers so that they didn’t have to select up extra water. 

I did have a fast go within the bathe after we moored on the final day to see what it was like. Scorching, good spray, clearly compact – however completely acceptable. 

They did have an out of doors bathe on the again of the boat too. 

What I beloved about Extra Crusing

The entire journey was so chill. Possibly a part of it was all the way down to having an awesome group, however then it was additionally the environment Magnus and Rojna created. I used to be so relaxed and it was wonderful to get up someplace new daily. They have been each so captivated with crusing and I really feel actually made the hassle to point out us the very best of the places. 

The Croatian shoreline is ridiculously stunning – the colors of the water have been simply insanely stunning. And the harbours and villages gorgeous too. You’d by no means discover the hidden bays and coves by your self. Rojna and Magnus discovered us the very best swimming stops and it was a splendidly social solution to journey Croatia – particularly if you happen to’re travelling solo. 

With the house on the boat and the common stops within the villages you can have alone time or hang around with the group as you happy.

Issues to know earlier than reserving Extra Crusing

Pack mushy baggage for higher storage

Carry reef footwear to have the ability to discover the shoreline

Put together for restricted water utilization

Carry a heat jumper (I ignored this recommendation and regretted it each sundown and dawn!)

Be reassured that they’ve the very best movement illness tablets 

It’s a really stress-free journey, in addition to being adventurous 

You possibly can assist with the crusing side if you happen to like!

Take an additional towel as you’re solely given one on board 

How a lot does Extra Crusing value?

All the things you want – other than dinner – is included. And the dinner exception offers you an opportunity to get on dry land and check out the native delicacies. 

This consists of: 

Constitution prices

Flights

Meals

Marina charges

Non-compulsory extras

Return transfers (my driver was very pleasant, and genuinely regarded happy to select me up!)

Alcoholic drinks – there was extra wine and beer than you can need 

Port prices, LPT, diesel 

A skipper and a bunch 

Costs begin from round £1775 for 7 nights, relying on when and the place you go. It’s also possible to get some nice offers final minute on MoreSailing.com. I feel you do get loads on your cash, and also you get the skippers’ experience and data too.

Extra Crusing Evaluate from Croatia

Scripting this on the airplane on the way in which house I’m attempting to sum up what was so wonderful about the previous few days. I imply, the great thing about Croatia’s shoreline clearly deserves some credit score however I feel it was additionally the vibe on the boat, and the posh of the vessel too. 

I’d positively journey with Extra Crusing once more, and would suggest it to anybody who needs to provide crusing a strive with an skilled crew. 

My lasting reminiscence will certainly be the early morning sail again to Trogir stood with my head and shoulders out of the boat and my cover wrapped round me with a espresso crusing into the solar rising above the mountains.