I sail in Croatia

Introduction

Sailing in Croatia means discovering one of the richest and most varied areas of the Adriatic Sea. Located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, Croatia has a highly indented coastline, numerous channels, gulfs, bays and archipelagos, as well as hundreds of islands, islets and reefs. This configuration offers a wide variety of sailing conditions, from coastal cruising between Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik to more detailed navigation through the Dalmatian archipelagos.

Marine charts for Croatia should therefore be selected according to the intended route, sailing area and required scale. A general chart is useful for planning an Adriatic crossing or a coastal passage, while a coastal chart, approach chart or harbour plan becomes essential when navigating through a channel, passing between islands or planning an entrance into a marina.

Croatia is also an area where official nautical charts play an important role. The Hrvatski Hidrografski Institut (HHI), the Croatian Hydrographic Institute, produces paper and electronic charts covering Croatian waters. Its catalogue includes general, coastal, approach, harbour and specialised charts.

Sailing in northern Croatia: Istria and the Gulf of Kvarner

Navigation in Croatia begins in the north with the Istrian Peninsula and the Gulf of Kvarner. This region forms the maritime continuation of the Slovenian coast and the northern Adriatic. Sailors can visit Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag, Rijeka and the many ports and anchorages along the western coast of Istria.

Pula is an important starting point for exploring southern Istria and reaching the islands of Cres and Lošinj. Further east, the Gulf of Kvarner includes the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab. The passages between the islands and the mainland have very different characteristics, including narrow channels, sheltered areas, exposed headlands and sectors that can be affected by particular weather conditions.

The HHI offers coastal charts covering Rijeka, the Kvarner Gulf, Cres, Lošinj, Krk and neighbouring areas. Charts at scales around 1:100,000 are suitable for coastal navigation, while approach charts and harbour plans allow more detailed preparation of entrances and departures.

Zadar and the Kornati Islands

The Zadar region is one of Croatia's major cruising areas. It provides access to an exceptional group of islands and passages including Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pašman, Pag, Molat, Ist and the Kornati Islands.

The Kornati archipelago is particularly representative of Croatian navigation. The islands are numerous, distances between land masses can be short and there are many possible routes. Charting must therefore allow sailors to identify depths, isolated dangers, reefs, passages, regulated areas and potential shelter accurately.

Zadar, Biograd na Moru and Šibenik are important starting points for cruises through this part of the Adriatic. HHI charts include specific coverage of Zadar, the Kornati Islands, Dugi Otok and neighbouring areas. The Croatian catalogue clearly distinguishes between general, coastal, approach and harbour charts.

For recreational sailing, a sufficiently detailed scale is particularly useful when the route leaves the main waterways and enters the channels between the islands.

Šibenik and the channels of central Dalmatia

Further south, Šibenik provides access to a particularly complex maritime area. The city is located at the end of a system of channels and waterways connected to the Adriatic Sea.

Navigation can continue towards Primošten, Rogoznica, Murter, the Kornati Islands and the islands of central Dalmatia. Detailed marine charts are useful for planning passages through channels, approaches to ports and navigation around the islands.

The HHI provides coastal charts covering areas such as Šibenik–Split, together with charts dedicated to specific passages and approach areas. This organisation by geographical sector makes it possible to select charting appropriate to the intended navigation rather than systematically relying on a small-scale chart.

Split, Trogir, Brač, Hvar and Vis

Split is one of the main nautical centres on the Dalmatian coast. The city provides access to a large group of islands and channels including Brač, Hvar and Šolta.

Navigation around Split requires sufficiently detailed charting to distinguish the different islands, passages and traffic areas. The region also includes the approaches to Trogir, Kaštela Bay and numerous ports and anchorages.

The island of Hvar is then a major cruising area. Hvar, Stari Grad, Vrboska and Jelsa are popular destinations. Further offshore, Vis and its various bays offer more exposed sailing and require careful chart preparation.

HHI provides charts covering Brač, Hvar and Vis, together with approach charts and detailed harbour plans for several ports. Charts such as those covering Split and Kaštela Bay, as well as documents dedicated to channels and approaches, complement the regional coverage.

Korčula, Lastovo and southern Dalmatia

Continuing south, navigation includes Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet, the Pelješac Peninsula and the numerous channels separating these land masses.

Korčula is an important area for cruising in Dalmatia. The island has several ports and anchorages, while neighbouring islands provide numerous alternative routes. Lastovo, further away from the main tourist centres, also requires appropriate preparation because of its more isolated maritime environment.

The island of Mljet and the Pelješac area lead towards Dubrovnik. HHI coastal charts cover areas such as Hvar–Lastovo, Pelješac–Mljet and Dubrovnik–Budva. Approach charts and harbour plans then allow navigation to be prepared at a much larger scale.

Dubrovnik and the far south of Croatia

Dubrovnik is one of the main sailing destinations in southern Croatia. The city lies close to the border with Montenegro and opens onto a maritime area extending towards the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro and the Ionian Sea.

For sailing around Dubrovnik, it is useful to distinguish between the coastal chart, approach chart and harbour plan. HHI provides, for example, an approach chart for Dubrovnik at 1:50,000 and a Dubrovnik harbour plan at a much larger scale.

This distinction between scales is essential: a chart suitable for planning a route between several islands is not intended to replace a detailed harbour plan used for entering a port or manoeuvring in a restricted area.

Which marine charts should be used when sailing in Croatia?

Several publishers and hydrographic services can be used to prepare a sailing trip in Croatia and the Adriatic.

• HHI – Hrvatski Hidrografski Institut: Croatia's official hydrographic service, producing general, coastal, approach, harbour and electronic charts.

• Admiralty – United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: international coverage of the Adriatic and Croatian coast, particularly useful for international navigation and longer passages.

• Imray: charting aimed particularly at leisure sailing and coastal navigation, with coverage of the Adriatic and Dalmatian coast. The range includes, for example, chart M26 covering Split–Dubrovnik.

• NV Charts: atlases and charting designed for recreational sailing in the Adriatic, including Croatian waters.

• SHOM: selected general charts of the Mediterranean and Adriatic can complement nautical documentation.

• PRIMAR: official Croatian ENC data is distributed through PRIMAR and its network of authorised distributors.

The choice of publisher therefore depends on the planned navigation. Official national charting may be preferred for detailed navigation in Croatian waters, while international or leisure-oriented charting can be convenient when planning a wider Adriatic itinerary.

Paper charts or electronic charting?

Modern navigation in Croatia often combines electronic charting with paper charts. Official ENCs are standardised databases intended in particular for use with ECDIS. They contain the chart information required for navigation and can be complemented by additional data.

Electronic charts make it possible to follow a route, display the vessel's position, quickly modify an itinerary and use a dynamic representation of the sailing area.

Paper charts remain useful, however, for route planning, maintaining an overall view of the voyage and providing navigation redundancy. They also make it possible to view a large geographical area simultaneously without relying on a screen or electrical power.

For a cruise in Croatia, the most appropriate approach is therefore to consider the two formats as complementary: electronic charting for dynamic navigation and paper charts covering the relevant areas for planning, cross-checking and safety.

Which scale should be chosen for Croatia?

Scale is one of the main criteria when selecting a marine chart.

For an Adriatic crossing or navigation between several regions, a general chart provides an overall view. For coastal navigation along Dalmatia, a chart at 1:100,000 may be more appropriate. For a harbour approach or a narrow passage, a scale of 1:50,000, 1:25,000, 1:15,000 or larger may be required depending on the area.

The HHI clearly illustrates this hierarchy with general charts at 1:800,000 or 1:350,000, coastal charts at 1:100,000 and approach or harbour charts at much larger scales.

It is therefore preferable not to look for a single chart covering the whole of Croatia at maximum detail. Proper chart planning consists of combining several levels of charting corresponding to the different stages of the voyage.

Main ports and sailing areas in Croatia

When planning a cruise, the main navigation areas can be grouped as follows:

• Istria: Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag.

• Gulf of Kvarner: Rijeka, Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Rab.

• Northern Dalmatia: Zadar, Biograd na Moru, Pag, Dugi Otok, Kornati.

• Central Dalmatia: Šibenik, Primošten, Rogoznica, Trogir, Split.

• Dalmatian Islands: Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, Korčula, Lastovo.

• Southern Dalmatia: Mljet, Pelješac, Ploče, Dubrovnik.

• Southern Adriatic: Cavtat and the border area with Montenegro.

These areas do not all have the same sailing characteristics. Chart selection should take into account the distance travelled, the density of islands, the complexity of channels, harbour approaches and the required level of accuracy.

Planning a cruise in Croatia

A sailing trip in Croatia should ideally be planned in several stages. First, determine the overall route, for example Pula–Zadar, Zadar–Šibenik, Šibenik–Split, Split–Hvar–Vis or Split–Dubrovnik.

The next step is to identify the charts covering the entire route, then supplement them with approach charts and harbour plans for the ports that may actually be used.

Planning should also take into account additional nautical information: lights and buoyage, depths, hazards, regulated areas, narrow passages, ports, anchorages, currents, weather conditions and any local restrictions.

In a region as heavily divided into islands as the Croatian coast, the chart is therefore not simply used to follow a predetermined route. It also makes it possible to study alternatives: changing an anchorage, modifying the route according to the wind, finding shelter or preparing a harbour entrance.

Conclusion

Sailing in Croatia requires charting adapted to the great diversity of the Adriatic coast. From Istria and the Gulf of Kvarner to Zadar and the Kornati Islands, from Šibenik to Split, and then from Hvar and Vis to Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik, each area has its own characteristics and requires an appropriate scale.

HHI charts form the official charting for Croatian waters, while Admiralty, Imray, NV Charts and SHOM provide additional coverage depending on the type of navigation planned. Official Croatian ENCs distributed through PRIMAR also provide electronic coverage of Croatian waters.

Effective chart planning means combining general charts, coastal charts, approach charts and harbour plans according to the route. For a cruise in Croatia, this approach provides an overall view of the Adriatic while retaining the level of detail required in channels, around islands and during harbour approaches.

FAQ – Sailing in Croatia

Which sea borders Croatia?

Croatia is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, which forms part of the Mediterranean. In the south, the Adriatic connects with the Ionian Sea through the Strait of Otranto.

What is the best marine chart for sailing in Croatia?

There is no single chart suitable for every type of navigation. The choice depends on the route and required scale. HHI, Croatia's hydrographic service, provides charting specifically designed for Croatian waters. Admiralty, Imray, NV Charts and SHOM also provide coverage of the Adriatic.

Who produces the official marine charts of Croatia?

The Hrvatski Hidrografski Institut, or HHI, is Croatia's hydrographic institute. It produces paper and electronic charts covering the eastern Adriatic, Croatian coast, islands, approaches and harbours.

Which chart should be used for sailing between Split and Dubrovnik?

A coastal chart covering central and southern Dalmatia can be used to plan the overall route. Approach charts and detailed harbour plans can then be used for the areas around Split, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik.

Are detailed marine charts available for the Croatian islands?

Yes. HHI provides charts covering areas including Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula and Lastovo, as well as numerous passages and coastal areas.

Which chart should be used for the Kornati Islands?

Navigation in the Kornati Islands requires sufficiently detailed charting to identify islands, channels, depths, hazards and specific areas. HHI provides dedicated coverage for the Kornat–Murter area.

Can Admiralty charts be used in Croatia?

Yes. Admiralty provides international coverage of the Adriatic and is an option for sailors looking for international charting consistent with their other sailing areas.

Does Imray cover the Croatian coast?

Yes. Imray provides chart coverage for several areas of the Adriatic. Chart M26 covers the area from Split to Dubrovnik and is intended for coastal navigation along this part of Dalmatia.

Are official electronic charts available for Croatia?

Yes. HHI produces official ENCs for Croatian waters. These electronic charts are distributed through PRIMAR and its authorised distribution network.

Is it still useful to carry paper charts when sailing in Croatia?

Paper charts remain useful for route planning, maintaining an overall view of the area and providing navigation redundancy. In a region with numerous islands and channels such as Croatia, having appropriate chart coverage at several scales facilitates both preparation and monitoring of the route.