A seven-day Croatia sailing route from Trogir connects the islands of Šolta, Vis, and Hvar in Central Dalmatia. Experience historic harbor towns and Adriatic nature on a modern catamaran.
The classic Croatia sailing route from Trogir takes you through Central Dalmatia to the islands of Šolta, Brač, Hvar, and Vis over seven days. You start your vacation on the coast just outside the port city of Split, spend time among the karst islands of the Adriatic, and visit historic places like Hvar Town or Komiža. You sail on a catamaran equipped for comfort and self-sufficiency. The exact destinations depend on the weather, making each passage unique.
Trogir serves as your base. Its historic center is located on a small island exactly between the mainland and the island of Čiovo. An old stone bridge connects Trogir to Čiovo. The historic town center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Walking through the stone alleys leads to the Cathedral of St. Lawrence with its magnificent Radovan portal. The massive Kamerlengo fortress dominates the palm-lined Riva. From here, you head out into the Dalmatian archipelago. You can find more geographical details in our guide Croatia Sailing Route from Trogir: 7 Days on a Catamaran.
The Croatian Adriatic coast stretches for hundreds of miles and divides into distinct regions. In the far north lies the Istrian peninsula with cities like Pula and Rovinj. This is followed by the Kvarner Gulf. Islands like Krk, Cres, Lošinj, and Rab belong to this region, which forms a historical and climatic transition zone. Neither Istria nor the Kvarner Gulf are part of Dalmatia.
Dalmatia itself divides into three sections. Northern Dalmatia includes the southern part of the island of Pag, Dugi Otok with the Telašćica Nature Park, and the Kornati. Zadar and Šibenik are the urban centers, with the latter known for the UNESCO-protected Cathedral of St. James. The sailing route from Trogir focuses primarily on Central Dalmatia. This central section includes Čiovo, Šolta, Brač, Hvar, and the more distant Vis, as well as small islets like Biševo or Šćedro. On the mainland, Split, Trogir, Omiš, and Makarska dominate the landscape. Southern Dalmatia begins south of Hvar and includes islands like Korčula, Mljet, and Lastovo, along with the city of Dubrovnik at the very tip.
Sailing south brings you to the islands. Each features distinct topography, vegetation, and history.
The island of Šolta lies west of Brač and close to the starting point of Trogir. Dense olive groves, Mediterranean scrub, and small harbor villages shape the landscape. Maslinica is located on the west coast. This village overlooks seven small offshore islets. The historic center revolves around the Martinis Marchi castle, a massive, fortified estate built by the Marchi family in the 18th century. On the north coast, Rogač serves as the main ferry port and direct access point to the administrative center of Grohote inland, while Stomorska in the northeast looks back on a long seafaring and trading tradition. Agriculture on Šolta provides high-quality olive oil and regional honey.
The island of Vis lies much further out in the Adriatic, west of Hvar. In the 20th century, the entire island was subject to strict military isolation and remained closed to international tourism until 1989. This decades-long isolation preserved the original agricultural structure of the island. The two largest settlements are Vis Town, consisting of the historic parts Luka and Kut on the shores of a wide bay, and Komiža on the west coast, which is heavily influenced by fishing culture. Vis looks back on an extensive history with roots in ancient Issa.
Excursions to the Blue Cave are a highlight of the region. The Modra špilja is located on the neighboring island of Biševo. The cave remains closed if there are significant waves or unsuitable weather.
The elongated island of Hvar lies south of Brač. Broad lavender fields, rugged karst formations, and steep vineyards characterize the landscape here. Hvar is home to significant historical sites such as Pharos, founded by the ancient Greeks and known today as Stari Grad. The associated agricultural plain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hvar Town lies on the opposite side of the island. The large, smoothly paved St. Stephen's Square, the historic arsenal, and the Fortica fortress high above the roofs form the architectural and social center of the town.
The Pakleni Islands stretch out right in front of Hvar Town. This archipelago, which includes Sveti Klement with the well-known village of Palmižana and the islet of Jerolim, is often incorrectly translated as Hell's Islands. However, the name historically goes back to a specific resin harvested in the region for shipbuilding. The islands are densely vegetated and highly indented. Further south of Hvar lies the small, largely uninhabited island of Šćedro, offering a sharp contrast to lively Hvar with its deep bays and dense forests.
Brač is one of the largest islands in the Adriatic by area and extends east of Šolta. The highest elevation is Vidova gora, offering views from its peak far across the Adriatic. Brač is world-famous for its centuries-old stonemasonry tradition. The island's white limestone was used in numerous historic buildings across Europe. Towns like Supetar, Sutivan, and Pučišća bear witness to this craftsmanship. On the west coast lies the deep, branched bay of Milna, whose striking stone facades document strong Venetian architectural influence. The Zlatni rat is located on the south coast near Bol. The Golden Horn is a prominent pebble spit whose tip constantly changes shape due to the effects of nature.
The passage takes place on a brand-new catamaran from the French shipyard Lagoon. The Lagoon 47, which enters service from Trogir in the 2027 season, was designed by the renowned firm VPLP and Patrick le Quément. The layout connects the large, bright salon with the exterior lounging areas. The stern features a spacious aft cockpit with a dining table, a lounge, and a lowerable bathing platform at the back. The bow offers a large trampoline, while the flybridge on the roof is equipped with additional sun loungers.
MANAIA has wide hulls and four double cabins below deck, each with a 180 cm wide double bed, en-suite bathroom, shower, and individually adjustable air conditioning. The aft VIP double cabin has its own entrance from the aft cockpit. The owner cabin is accessed from the salon. With up to six guests, this cabin is reserved for the owner or skipper. With seven or eight guests, it is also rented to guests. The salon sits at deck level between the hulls. A generator, solar system, large battery capacity, and watermaker support self-sufficient cruising. Two stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and the dinghy are always included. Only the Seabob F9 and AWAKE Ravik Jet Board are paid extras. A Wi-Fi router, Bluetooth sound system, and television are available on board.
The concept of MANAIA YACHTING & EXPERIENCE d.o.o. relies on personally guided sailing vacations. Werner and Ines, the hosts and founders, provide a supervised crew each week on their own ship, far removed from anonymous fleet agencies. You have two clear options for getting on board.
If you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with a few friends, the cabin charter is an excellent choice. With this model, you book a single double cabin with a private bathroom and share the rest of the catamaran with other guests. The trip travels through Dalmatia, incorporating the preferences of the guests on board into the daily planning.
The financial expenses for a sailing trip consist of a fixed base price and variable incidental costs. The included services at MANAIA cover the skipper, the boat itself, high-quality bed linen, towels, bath and beach towels, organic care products, and the mandatory final cleaning. The exact prices depend heavily on the travel season, the chosen charter type, and occupancy. You can transparently determine the exact values using the calculator on our prices and services page. There is no flat rate per person.
Variable costs for onboard catering, fuel, and harbor fees are paid from a boat kitty. Beverages like coffee, tea, local wine, and beer also run through this system, while still drinking water is always available on board. Meals structure the daily routine on the water. Breakfast and small snacks at noon are often prepared together in the fully equipped galley. The evening usually involves visiting regional restaurants and konobas, where you can experience Dalmatian gastronomy firsthand.
The climate in Croatia is classic Mediterranean. The summer months are frequently warm to hot and dry, while the winters are significantly milder and more humid. However, climate averages are not reliable predictions for a specific vacation week. Air temperatures rise continuously in spring, but the Adriatic water is still cool during this time. Midsummer brings long days and lots of sun, along with possible intense heatwaves. By late summer, the sea has warmed up considerably, but weather changes gradually become more pronounced. There is no weather or swimming temperature guarantee for any travel month.
Three prominent winds determine what happens on the coast. The Bora occurs when cold air masses reach the sea. The Bora appears more frequently in the winter half of the year but is possible year-round in principle. The maestral is a thermal summer wind. It often sets in around late morning or noon, reaches its peak in the afternoon, and significantly weakens again in the evening hours. The jugo is often persistent and carries a lot of moisture. During a longer period of the jugo, cloud formation, precipitation, and swells increase noticeably. At night, the burin occasionally provides movement in the air.
Island gastronomy is authentic and product-focused. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients from the sea and the produce of the barren karst soils. A typical start to dinner in a small konoba is Dalmatian pršut, an aromatic, air-dried ham. It is often served alongside Paški sir, a hard, very spicy sheep's cheese originally from the island of Pag further north. The vegetation there and the salt dust carried by the wind give the milk its special flavor.
For main courses, fresh fish, octopus, calamari, and mussels take top priority. A local dish is škampi na buzaru, where langoustines are cooked in a reduced sauce of regional olive oil, garlic, white wine, and parsley. Upon preorder, the hosts of many konobas will prepare peka. With this archaic cooking method, meat or octopus simmers alongside potatoes for hours under a massive cast-iron bell completely covered with hot embers. On Vis, Komiška pogača is a very famous specialty, a savory pastry pocket not to be confused with the similar Viška pogača from Vis Town.
The dishes are accompanied by excellent regional wines. Plavac mali is the most important red grape variety in Dalmatia, yielding full-bodied wines with strong character. White grape varieties like Pošip, grown primarily on the southern Dalmatian island of Korčula, or the rare Grk from the area around Lumbarda perfectly complement the seafood dishes. Following such a meal on a warm summer day, the fjaka often sets in for locals and guests alike. It is a relaxed and almost contemplative state that is difficult to translate, palpably defining the leisurely rhythm of Dalmatian life.
A sailing vacation requires different luggage than a hotel stay. Hard shell suitcases block valuable space in the cabins, making soft, foldable travel bags or backpacks absolutely necessary. Formal attire stays at home; instead, functional and comfortable clothing dominates everyday life on board. Sailing experience is absolutely not required beforehand, as the skipper handles all tasks. Anyone wanting to get actively involved is always welcome to do so.
| Category | Recommended items | Notes for everyday life on board |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Swimwear, light clothing, windproof jacket | A long-sleeved shirt serves as physical UV protection on the water. |
| Footwear | Shoes with light soles, swim shoes, sneakers | Swim shoes protect against sea urchins on the rocks; street shoes stay below deck. |
| Sun protection | Polarized sunglasses, hat, sunscreen | Sunscreen must absolutely be reef-friendly and free of microplastics. |
| Pharmacy | Personal medication, remedies for discomfort | The yacht's first aid kit does not replace personal needs. |
Werner and Ines are the people behind the Lagoon 47 MANAIA. Werner has more than 35 years of professional experience as an engineer, pilot, and executive in aviation and industry. He holds several offshore sailing licenses and has logged more than 10,000 nautical miles on monohull yachts and offshore catamarans in the Mediterranean. Ines brings extensive experience from management roles in major Swiss companies and takes responsibility for detailed planning, logistics, and guest care.
A qualified skipper with extensive offshore experience and detailed local knowledge of Central Dalmatia leads the trip. Children aged six and older are welcome on board, though the responsibility for their everyday safety also lies with their parents. Dogs are not allowed on board, without exception. Unfamiliar boat motion can cause seasickness, and dogs need regular exercise and trips ashore that cannot be reliably guaranteed on a yacht.
Protecting the sensitive ecosystem of the Croatian coast has top priority. Rules in protected areas such as Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park can change, so current local requirements always apply.
MANAIA strictly avoids using single-use plastic on board. To directly strengthen the local economy and minimize food transport routes, we prefer buying ingredients at regional markets, such as the traditional Pazar in Split or directly from vendors in the old town of Trogir. In this way, the trip helps not only to visit the valuable cultural landscape of Central Dalmatia but to actively support it through sustainable consumption.
The port city of Split is the infrastructural center of the region. Split Airport (SPU) offers the best connections from all over Europe and is located just about 15 minutes from our base in the marina. On request, we gladly help organize the transfer from the airport to the ship. The old town of Split, with the massive Diocletian's Palace at its architectural center, is an extremely lively historical district. The palace is not merely an open-air museum; it houses real apartments, small shops, and rustic konobas within its ancient walls. Structures like the Peristyle, the green recreation hill of Marjan, the bustling fish market, and the wide Riva waterfront promenade shape the urban cityscape. A visit to Split can be excellently combined with your arrival in or departure from Trogir, rounding off the picture of Dalmatia.
The sailing route in Croatia from Trogir generally focuses on Central Dalmatia. Over seven days, you visit islands like Šolta, Brač, Hvar, and Vis. You start in a marina near Split Airport and experience a mix of historic places like Trogir or Hvar Town and the nature of the Adriatic.
Costs depend on the charter model and selected week. For a cabin charter, the yacht, skipper, and Premium Charter Package are included in the cabin price. For a private charter, the skipper and Premium Charter Package are mandatory charges added to the weekly yacht price. Fuel, harbor and buoy fees, and provisions are paid through the boat kitty. The price calculator shows the binding amounts.
Yes, you do not need any sailing experience or nautical licenses to join this trip. A professional skipper takes full responsibility for navigation, weather, and the ship. You can relax or help with everyday tasks on board if you wish.
The Maestral is a summer wind. It usually begins around late morning or noon, reaches its greatest intensity in the afternoon, and weakens again in the evening. It often brings pleasant temperatures and clear air on hot days.
No, the Blue Cave, also known as Modra špilja, is located on the small island of Biševo, southwest of Vis. Strictly regulated access occurs exclusively in small, licensed excursion boats from local providers, usually departing from Komiža on Vis or directly on Biševo.
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