Why Aussies Love Croatia for Sailing

Croatia’s summer runs from May to October, the perfect time for Aussies to escape the southern hemisphere winter. Long sunny days mean warm waters and gentle winds, guaranteed smooth sailing. The climate resembles Australia’s coastal areas but has the added charm of ancient towns, island vineyards, and historic harbors.

With 1,400 islands and more, Croatia is a paradise for people who love the sea. Imagine: you wake in your secluded bay, swim in the morning's clear turquoise waters, and by lunchtime, arrive at yet another unique island. Some must-sees include:

• Hvar: The party is central with beach bars, buzzing nightlife, and lavender fields.
• Korčula: It's the birthplace of Marco Polo and a mix of history and top-quality wineries.
• Vis: A secret place with WWII tunnels, high cliffs, and the Blue Cave miracle.
• Mljet: On this island, a nature lover can be in paradise as its national parks, saltwater lakes, and hiking trails support an almost unbelievable wealth of plant and animal life.
• Brač: Home of Zlatni Rat beach, some gorgeous tiny beaches, and local towns.

In striking contrast to the vast distances of Aussie islands, the islands of Croatia are relatively close to one another. This means that sailing times are shorter, and the chance to take part in shore life can be longer again. Whether looking forward to old-town dining and wining, secluded bay snorkeling, or sitting back on deck with a local Plavac Mali red of excellent vintage, nothing here is too far away.

More spacious sailboats and catamarans offer a spacious deck and saloon. Some also boast a second level (flybridge), trampolines, air conditioners, and many more comfort amenities.

A swimming pool with seawater and the front sea coastline are undoubtedly pleasant features found in a 5-star hotel. But what if the sea was not 10 rocky (Dubrovnik offers only pebble beaches) meters away, but only 1 meter if you are already on the deck? Swimming stops are possible in the most beautiful bays one can dream of.

Yes, you cannot bring a spa center on board, but the choice is down to what you wish to get from your holiday — massages and deck chairs or new impressions and unusual places accessible from the yacht only.

At the hotel, you are confined to one schedule effective for the entire season, and to go on a tour, you must leave the hotel's premises. By comparison, yachting allows you to have an active and sporty vacation while spending every day in a new place.

Storytelling and experience perpetuate this author's intent. Delectable seafood, slow-cooked meat, or seafood among coals as hot as those used by Dubrovnik's finest ironsmiths, and a selection of world-class wines make every meal pioneered by Croatia's island corral for gastronomes who request to understand how their food got on board.

For those Aussies who live and breathe challenges, Croatia offers everything! There's no end, from snorkeling at any lagoon to windsurfing at Zlatni Rat Beach. Or investigate hidden military tunnels constructed during the period of the former Yugoslavia.