The Dalmatian Islands in Croatia are among the most famous in the Mediterranean region. Wild, rugged, and mostly uninhabited, many are protected as national parkland and offer a varied and diverse cruising ground for an Agana sailing vacation. The sailing is splendid, encompassing long and short passages to charming anchorages amid rocky islets, ancient villages steeped in history, and translucent waters. An Agana yacht charter typically focuses on the more than 30 islands off the central Dalmatian Coast near the city of Split, including lovely Solta, Hvar, Vis, and Brac. The Kornati National Park lies to the north, with a mostly barren landscape. So many small and large islands are in the park it has been likened to a maze of unparalleled natural beauty. Pristine beaches, lively nightlife, fine cuisine, secluded coves, fascinating historic sites, and an unspoiled natural setting make an Agana yacht charter an unforgettable sailing adventure.
An Agana sailing vacation can include long or short passages among the beautiful Dalmatian Islands. There’s always ample time to go ashore to explore ancient towns, savor the local cuisine, or simply stroll around to see the sights. In May and June, the waters are exceptionally inviting, with balmy and fair westerly winds of about 15 knots, creating a very family friendly setting for an Agana yacht charter. In July and August, the wind drops off even more, promising calm weather most of the time. The prime season runs from April through November, though in the autumn a strong northerly wind called the bora is possible. The tidal range is insignificant, about two feet at the maximum. Sailors with basic coastal navigation skills will find an Agana yacht charter accessible and stress-free. During the cruising season the average daytime temperature is 73°F (23°C).
An Agana sailing vacation features a wonderful blend of the historic and the natural, with ancient cities and towns situated in beautiful harbors fronting islands with sandy beaches and lush vegetation. Serene anchorages far from the crowds or bustling towns with boutiques, restaurants, and bars are all attractions of the central Dalmatian Coast, where wildlife abounds, the snorkeling is excellent, and history is ever present. An Agana yacht charter is a voyage into some of the prettiest cruising grounds in the Mediterranean region, a sojourn to remember on the Adriatic Sea.
About a 25-minute drive from the Moorings base at Marina Agana, in Marina, is the magnificent port city of Split, the second largest in Croatia and the capital of Dalmatia (Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is the largest city). The spectacular Dinaric Alps soar skyward just inland, and along the waterfront is the shimmering Adriatic Sea, steeped in history and as beautiful as any in the world. Split is cosmopolitan, vibrant, and exotic, filled with the chic and splendid in its modern business district. It is also an old city, prominent in Roman history as the favorite of Emperor Diocletian, who built a palace in 293 A.D. that still stands today. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top tourist destinations in Croatia. The city’s many attractions often inspire sailors to build time into their Agana sailing vacations to fully experience all that Split has to offer.
Fully 7.5 percent of Croatia is protected in eight national parks. Offshore, the Kornati Islands National Park north of Split has been a preserve since 1980. It’s a remarkable group of islands and islets scattered in a maze-like configuration across the Adriatic Sea. There are 147 in all, and they are simply breathtaking. The sheer cliffs on the southwest coasts rise dramatically from the water’s edge. Forests of oak and low scrub cover the cresting heights on some of the islands, and vineyards, olive groves, and orchards are present on others, cultivated by seasonal workers who reside in small cottages along the shores. Sailing in the Kornati Islands takes sailors into the remote beauty of the Adriatic.
The tiny islet of Bisevo, five nautical miles southwest of its larger cousin, Vis, is a natural wonder. Along its rocky shores are hidden coves and sandy beaches, and inland are the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, but what makes Bisevo so special are its caves. Ten prominent sea caves penetrate deeply into the rock at the edge of the sea. Of them all the Blue Grotto is the most spectacular. At about an hour before noon, when the sun is high and the water is calm, daylight enters the depths of the cave from an underwater opening, turning the sea to sapphire. Beneath the surface everything glimmers in silver and pink. Entering the cave to snorkel or scuba dive (organized scuba excursions only due to regulations) is an otherworldly experience. Small tour boats also enter the cave.
In 1579, workers swarmed over the ruined portions of the citadel of Hvar Town, an imposing Venetian fortress built to protect the main port of Hvar Island. A massive explosion from a powder magazine had gutted sections of the structure, and the repairs were fully under way. Like so many others, the fortress of Hvar Town went through many reconstructions after that fateful year of the blast, and today it stands as one of the most impressive historic sites on Hvar Island. Perched high on a hill overlooking the scenic harbor, the citadel presents an opportunity to admire the magnificent views from the ramparts. To the south are the picturesque Pakleni Islands, verdant jewels amid the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea.
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