Sailing in Croatia had always been a dream of mine, especially after seeing so many fun videos on social media. But I always assumed sailing holidays were for people who already knew how to sail, or for groups who could afford to charter an entire boat.
I did not realise you could simply book a cabin, join a group and spend a week sailing around the Croatian islands with an experienced skipper and host taking care of everything.
Then I received an invitation from More Sailing to join one of their trips, and of course, I said yes.
For the first part of our Croatia trip, Bruno and I spent ten days road-tripping around the country. I have written several guides from that trip and created a full Croatia series on YouTube.
But Bruno had to fly home for work, which meant I joined the sailing trip alone. Let me be honest with you: I was nervous.
Not because I was going to be on a boat. I had already been on liveaboards before. What worried me was spending several days in a small space with complete strangers. Would we get along? Would I have enough privacy? Would I feel trapped on a boat with nowhere to escape?
Thankfully, the reality was far more relaxed than I expected.
In this article, I share what a sailing holiday in Croatia is really like, what life on board involves, what you need to know before booking and who I think this type of trip is best suited to.
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To make planning easier, I’ve also created a free Croatia packing checklist to help you pack for national parks, coastal towns, boat trips, waterfalls and road trips.
Do You Need Sailing Experience?
No. You do not need any sailing experience to join this type of sailing trips.
This was one of my biggest misconceptions. I always thought sailing was for people who knew how to operate a boat, understand the wind and navigate between islands.
On our trip, we had a qualified skipper who was responsible for sailing the boat, checking the weather, planning the route and making decisions about where we could safely anchor or stay overnight.
We also had a host who prepared breakfast and lunch, organised the food on board and helped keep everything running smoothly.
That meant we were free to relax rather than worrying about navigating or cooking.
We were a group of curious travel bloggers, so naturally, we wanted to understand how everything worked. The skipper showed us a few things, and there were moments when we could help if we wanted to. But there was no pressure.
You could get involved, ask questions and learn a little about sailing, or you could sit with a book and enjoy the view.
More Sailing is designed for people who want the sailing experience without needing the skills to manage the boat themselves. Their trips include a skipper and host, and you book a place or cabin rather than having to charter the entire boat.
Can You Join a Sailing Trip When Travelling Alone?
Yes, and this is one of the things that surprised me most. After Bruno returned home, I joined the sailing trip by myself. Although I travel regularly, joining a boat full of strangers felt different from travelling alone on land.
On land, you can go back to your hotel room or spend a day by yourself whenever you need space. On a sailing boat, everyone lives, eats and relaxes together in a relatively small area.
That initially made me nervous. However, joining a shared sailing trip can actually be a good option for solo travellers because you immediately become part of a small group. You do not need to find people to travel with before booking, and you are not responsible for organising the route or hiring the boat.
Meals and sailing days naturally bring everyone together, while island stops give you opportunities to explore independently.
Of course, your experience will depend partly on the group. You are sharing a compact space, so it helps to be flexible, considerate and comfortable spending time with new people. For me, stepping outside my comfort zone was part of the adventure.
How Do You Find a Sailing Group?
The easiest option is to book with a company that sells individual places or cabins on an organised sailing trip. This is different from chartering a private yacht.
With a private charter, you usually rent the entire boat for your own family or group. That can be a good option when several people are travelling together, but it is often expensive and impractical for a solo traveller or couple.
On an organised shared sailing trip, you book your own place or cabin. The company then brings together the group and provides the skipper, host and boat.
We sailed with More Sailing, which offers shared sailing trips from Trogir. It worked well for someone like me who did not have sailing experience and did not want to charter an entire boat.
What to Look for When Booking a Sailing Holiday?
Before booking a shared sailing trip, I would check the usual age range and group size, whether a skipper and host are included, and whether the cabins are private or shared. It is also worth checking what food and drinks are covered, whether any sailing experience is expected, and what kind of atmosphere the trip has. Some sailing holidays are relaxed, while others are more focused on partying.
The group atmosphere can make a big difference, so choose a trip that fits the kind of holiday you want. Finally, make sure you understand any additional costs before booking.
Can You Book a Private Cabin?
The sailing boat had double cabins, and solo travellers could either share or pay extra to have a cabin to themselves.
I had my cabin to myself, and personally, I was very happy with that decision.
The cabins are small, and having somewhere private to change, sleep and leave my belongings made the experience more comfortable.
If budget is not a problem, I would recommend booking a cabin for yourself when travelling alone.
That said, sharing can make the trip more affordable and may work perfectly well if you are comfortable sharing a small room with another traveller.
What Is Life on a Sailing Boat Actually Like?
Life on the boat was much more relaxing than I expected. Most of the time, there was very little we needed to do.
The skipper sailed and navigated, while the host prepared our meals on board. We did not need to cook or manage the practical side of the trip.
Our days were often spent reading, chatting, relaxing in the sun and looking at the islands as we sailed past.
And you are nearly always ready for a swim. When the boat stopped in a bay, we could jump directly into the water. There was no need to find a beach, look for parking or carry everything with us. You simply put on your swimwear and jump in.
Some days were more active. We went ashore, explored towns and hired scooters on Vis. Other parts of the trip were extremely slow and peaceful. That balance is what I enjoyed most.
You can have an adventure without feeling as though you need to fill every hour with activities.
Is There Enough Space on the Sailing Boat?
Sailing boats are compact. Even when the boat looks large from outside, the cabins, toilets and shared areas are smaller than you might expect.
There is enough room to sleep, eat and relax, but this is not the same as staying in a hotel.
You need to keep your belongings organised, and it is much better to bring a soft bag than a large hard-shell suitcase. Soft bags can be folded and stored more easily when they are empty.
The cabins are mainly for sleeping and changing. During the day, most people spend their time outside in the cockpit or on the deck.
You should also be prepared for limited personal space. You will regularly move around other people, share seating areas and eat together.
For me, that was manageable, particularly because I had my own cabin. However, anyone who needs a lot of privacy may find several days on a boat challenging.
Do You Sleep on the Boat Every Night?
Yes, the boat is your accommodation throughout the trip, but you do not necessarily spend every night anchored in the middle of a bay.
Some nights, we stayed in quiet anchorages, including our first night around the Blue Lagoon.
On other nights, we docked in marinas, including Milna on Brač and Vis. I enjoyed having a mixture.
Sleeping in a quiet bay was peaceful and felt like the classic sailing experience. Staying in a marina gave us easier access to the towns, restaurants and island life. It was also nice to step onto solid ground after spending time on the water.
When we stayed in Milna and Vis, we could go for a walk, explore the town and have dinner ashore. It prevented the trip from feeling as though we were permanently confined to the boat.
What Are Marina Facilities in Croatia Like?
I would describe a marina as being slightly like a campsite for sailors.
You dock the boat, connect to the facilities and usually have access to communal toilets and showers on land.
Although the sailing boat had a toilet and shower, we generally used the marina bathrooms when we were docked. That was more comfortable and also helped conserve the boat’s water and tank capacity.
Facilities vary between marinas, but many established Croatian marinas provide toilets, showers, electricity, water and sometimes laundry facilities, shops, cafés or restaurants.
The bathrooms are shared with other sailors, so they can become busy in the morning and evening. Bring your toiletries in a small wash bag and wear footwear suitable for communal showers.
What Is Normally Included in a Sailing Holiday?
What is included depends on the company and the sailing package, so it is important to check the details carefully before booking.
On our trip, accommodation in a cabin was included, along with a qualified skipper and a host. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks on board were also covered, as well as the sailing itinerary and route planning.
Our host prepared the meals we ate on the boat, which meant we did not need to cook or worry about organising food during the day.
Dinner was not included. In the evenings, especially when we stayed in a marina, we went ashore and paid for our own meals at local restaurants.
Depending on the package, there may also be extra costs for flights, transfers, marina fees, fuel, tourist taxes, activities or restaurant meals.
Do not assume that every sailing company includes the same things. Read the booking page and ask for a clear list of additional costs before paying.
Will You Get Seasick?
Possibly. Even calm water can affect people differently, and smaller sailing boats move more than large ferries or cruise ships.
I recommend bringing motion-sickness medication, even if you are not sure you will need it. You could also pack an acupressure wristband, which many people, including myself, find helpful for managing nausea while sailing.
Speak to a pharmacist before travelling and check whether the medication needs to be taken before the boat starts moving.
It can also help to remain outside, look towards the horizon and avoid spending too much time below deck while sailing.
What to Pack for a Sailing Holiday in Croatia?
Storage space on a sailing boat is limited, so pack lightly and bring a soft duffel bag or holdall rather than a rigid suitcase. Soft bags are much easier to fold and store inside a small cabin.
You will spend a lot of time in swimwear, so you probably need fewer outfits than you think. Pack quick-drying clothes, a light jacket for cooler evenings, shoes with a good grip and flip-flops or shower shoes for the marina bathrooms.
High-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are essential, as the sun can feel especially strong when it reflects off the water. I also recommend bringing motion-sickness medication, even if you are not sure you will need it. You could also pack an acupressure wristband, which I find helpful for managing nausea while sailing.
A reusable water bottle, waterproof phone pouch, small dry bag and power bank are also useful. Keep your toiletries in a compact wash bag, and bring a microfibre towel and earplugs to make life on board more comfortable.
You can also download my free Croatia packing list for a complete checklist of what to bring.
Who Would I Recommend Sailing in Croatia To?
I would recommend sailing in Croatia to couples who want a holiday that combines adventure with relaxation. It feels very different from staying in one resort or moving between hotels every few days. You can explore several Croatian islands while still having plenty of time to swim, read a book and relax on deck.
It is also a great option for solo travellers who want some company without having to organise a group themselves. You may arrive alone, but you quickly become part of a small community on the boat. Sharing meals, stopping for swims and exploring the islands together makes it easy to connect with people naturally.
A sailing holiday is particularly suitable for travellers who enjoy swimming and being close to the sea, but still want to explore different towns and islands. You do not have to keep packing and unpacking or worry about arranging ferries between each destination because the boat is both your accommodation and your transport.
I also think sailing can be a great adventure for travellers over 40. Adventure does not have to mean doing something extreme every day. Sailing gives you the freedom to be active when you want to be and slow down when you need to.
Overall, I would recommend it to anyone looking for something different from a conventional beach holiday and who does not mind sharing a smaller space with other travellers.
Who Might Not Enjoy Sailing Trips?
Sailing may not be the right choice if you need a lot of privacy, dislike shared spaces or feel uncomfortable being away from land.
The cabins are small, the bathrooms are compact and the itinerary may change according to the weather. You are also travelling with the same group for several days, so flexibility matters.
If you expect the space and service of a luxury hotel or luxury boats, a standard sailing boat may feel restrictive.
However, if you accept that the boat is part of the adventure rather than simply your accommodation, the experience becomes much easier to enjoy.
Is Sailing in Croatia Worth It?
For me, yes. I started the trip feeling nervous about being alone on a small boat with strangers. By the end, I realised that this was exactly what made the experience special.
I did not need to know how to sail. I did not need to charter an entire boat, organise a group or plan the route.
I could simply join, allow the skipper and host to take care of the practical details and experience Croatia from the water.
We slept in quiet bays, visited island towns, explored Vis by scooter, which you can see in my video, and even swam in front of an abandoned military tunnel.
Sailing in Croatia was more accessible, more social and more relaxing than I had imagined.