A sailing trip to the island of Vis in Central Dalmatia connects historic harbor towns like Komiža with a visit to the Blue Cave on the neighboring island of Biševo.
Sailing to the island of Vis takes you to the outer archipelago of Central Dalmatia. Trogir serves as the starting point for exploring historic port towns like Vis town and Komiža. Southwest of Vis lies the small neighboring island of Biševo with its famous Blue Cave.
A sailing vacation in this region combines long days on the Mediterranean with a rugged karst landscape. You experience the maritime history of an island that was isolated for decades. The neighboring islands of Šolta, Brač, or Hvar serve as excellent stopovers during this trip.
Your trip begins on the Dalmatian coast in the home port of Trogir. The historic core of Trogir belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage sites and sits on a very small island between the mainland and the larger island of Čiovo. Coastal waters protected by island chains still dominate this area around Split and Trogir. A scenic stopover in Maslinica often makes sense to break up the route in a relaxed way.
This small harbor town is located on the west coast of the island of Šolta. Seven tiny islets line the bay. On the shore, the historic 18th-century Martinis Marchi castle shapes the scenery.
Šolta stands out with its vast olive groves, dense macchia, and quiet atmosphere. As the trip continues, Vis reveals rocky coastlines and the typical blue of the Adriatic.
Planning the route requires a careful look at the Dalmatian archipelago and current weather conditions. Vis is noticeably more isolated than the coastal islands. The geographical setup allows for a practical division of the journey. This leaves plenty of time for swim stops and watching the shorelines from the large trampoline on the catamaran's bow.
| Destination | Island | Region | Geographic Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trogir (Marina) | Mainland / Čiovo | Central Dalmatia | Starting point of the route near Split Airport. |
| Maslinica | Šolta | Central Dalmatia | Quiet town on the west coast of Šolta. |
| Vis Town | Vis | Central Dalmatia | Wide, deep bay in the northeast of the island of Vis. |
| Komiža | Vis | Central Dalmatia | Traditional harbor town on the rugged west coast. |
The weather largely dictates the pace on the way into the outer archipelago. Central Dalmatia has a Mediterranean climate. This brings warm to hot summers and milder, wetter winters. Extended heatwaves regularly occur in midsummer.
The maestral is the summer wind Dalmatians know by name. It belongs to the rhythm of long summer days ashore.
The bora is the winter wind of the region. It shows up in local sayings and in the way the old stone houses were built.
The jugo comes from the south and has a firm place in Dalmatian songs and literature. Your crew judges the current conditions on site.
The small island of Biševo rises southwest of Komiža. This is where the Blue Cave, known in Croatian as Modra špilja, is located. The characteristic silver-blue glow inside the cave appears on sunny days, primarily between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
During this timeframe, sunlight enters the chamber at a specific angle through a natural opening below the water surface. The water filters out the red light components. Simultaneously, the bright limestone floor at the bottom reflects the blue light.
Access to the cave is strictly regulated and depends on local rules. Swimming or entering with your own vessel or tender is prohibited.
A tour of the Blue Cave depends directly on the weather and prevailing conditions. Management often shuts down the cave without warning for safety reasons. Therefore, a visit can never be guaranteed on any trip.
The rocky coastline of Vis features several deeply cut bays. These are perfect for an afternoon swim stop. You can spend the time relaxing on deck, using the stand-up paddleboards, or snorkeling in the clear water of the Adriatic.
Life on the island historically centers around two distinct coastal towns. Vis town stretches far along a deep bay in the northeast. The town divides into the neighborhoods of Luka and Kut.
Luka is home to the ferry terminal that connects the island with the Dalmatian mainland near Split. Kut sits in the back of the bay. Old, stately stone houses, small taverns, and narrow alleys define this neighborhood.
You can stroll along the water in the evening on the long harbor promenade, the Riva. Vis looks back on a very long history. You can see the remains of the ancient Greek settlement of Issa in the surrounding area, which once played an important role in maritime trade.
Vis was a restricted military zone for over four decades after the Second World War. Foreigners were not allowed to set foot on the island until 1989. This long isolation delayed urban development. Because of this, you still feel a quiet, authentic atmosphere in the town's alleys today.
Komiža is located at the foot of the roughly 600-meter-high Mount Hum on the island's rugged west side. The town is deeply rooted in Dalmatian fishing culture. Tall, narrow stone houses crowd tightly around the small harbor basin. The builders made optimal use of the sparse space on the steeply sloping coast this way.
Before the development of strong marine engines, the fishermen of Komiža sailed and rowed out to sea in small, traditional wooden boats. These falkuša took the crews as far as the distant fishing grounds near the remote island of Palagruža in the Adriatic.
Small cafes line the shore. You can order a coffee in the morning and observe the maritime activity.
Dalmatian cuisine relies on fresh, regional ingredients and traditional craftsmanship. Tavern owners often prepare peka in the small konobas across the island.
This ancient cooking method involves slow-roasting octopus or lamb with potatoes and vegetables under a cast-iron bell covered in hot wood ash. The dish usually requires ordering several hours in advance. The fire first needs to burn down and cool to the right temperature.
You traditionally order a glass of vugava with this meal. This white grape variety is cultivated almost exclusively on the island of Vis. The dry soils of karst and red earth force the vines to grow deep roots, giving the wine a robust character. Plavac mali dominates the red wines in Dalmatia.
You should try the local specialty Komiška pogača as a savory afternoon snack in Komiža. It is a rustic yeast dough pie. Bakers fill it with a hearty mixture of tomatoes, onions, and salty anchovies. It differs from the Viška pogača from Vis town, which is traditionally baked without tomatoes.
A trip into the outer waters of Central Dalmatia requires a seaworthy and well-equipped vessel. The new Lagoon 47 by MANAIA provides the ideal base for this area. The catamaran features four spacious double cabins. Each cabin has a queen-size bed and a private bathroom with a shower.
The yacht offers space for up to eight guests in total. A bright salon with panoramic windows and the expansive bow create room for social gatherings and quiet moments on board.
The technical equipment includes a powerful watermaker, a solar panel system, and high battery capacities. Book your trip as an exclusive private charter if you want to reserve the entire ship for you and your family.
If you are traveling alone or as a couple, the cabin charter offers the chance to share the catamaran in a relaxed group. You can request water toys like a Seabob or the electric AWAKE surfboard separately for an additional charge. Two stand-up paddleboards are already included with the cabin charter.
You can transparently calculate all fixed costs and detailed services for your week in Croatia in the Prices and Services section. This also incorporates experience-based estimates for the boat kitty. The crew uses this to fairly settle food and fuel expenses.
The season with the new Lagoon 47 starts in the spring of 2027. Use the contact form for your date request and plan your sailing vacation well in advance.
If you want to dive deeper into your planning, read our guide Planning a Sailing Trip in Croatia: Preparation, Route & Tips. You will find more well-researched information there regarding islands, bays, and the culture along the Croatian Adriatic coast.
You can find additional articles on the topic of sailing areas and bays in our magazine.
The Blue Cave, known in Croatian as Modra špilja, is located on the small island of Biševo in Dalmatia. Biševo is situated southwest of Komiža, the old harbor town on the island of Vis. The cave is exclusively accessible by water.
You can see the characteristic silver-blue glow in Modra špilja best on sunny days between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. During this time, sunlight falls into the rock cave at an optimal angle through a natural underwater opening. It reflects off the bright limestone floor.
No, entering with your own vessel or tender is strictly prohibited. Swimming is also forbidden in the Blue Cave. Access to the cave is strictly regulated and depends on local rules.
A sailing trip from Trogir to Vis leads through the Central Dalmatian archipelago. Šolta or Brač usually serve well for a stopover. Vis lies further out on the open Adriatic, west of the elongated island of Hvar.
Bakers fill these rustic yeast dough pies from the island of Vis with onions and salty anchovies. The main difference lies in the tomato. The Komiška pogača from Komiža contains tomatoes in the filling. The Viška pogača from Vis town is traditionally baked without tomatoes.